---
title: "Multi-Instance Switching Overview"
slug: "multi-instance-switching"
description: "Switch between connected brand or partner instances with a single sign-in. Use the header switcher, Instances screen, nicknames, and favorites."
updated: 2026-07-27T16:48:12Z
published: 2026-07-27T16:48:12Z
canonical: "docs.restaurant365.com/multi-instance-switching"
stale: true
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.restaurant365.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Multi-Instance Switching Overview

Multi-instance switching allows a user to move between multiple instances without logging in to each instance individually. When multi-instance switching is enabled, the user signs in once and can navigate between all eligible instances that they have access to.

Multi-instance switching is available for [eligible users](/doc/docs/multi-instance-switching#multiinstance-switching-setup) when instances are connected through a brand or partner relationship.

The multi-instance switcher in the [system header](/doc/docs/r365-navigation#r365-header) provides navigation between instances and access to [instance favorites](/doc/docs/set-favorite-instances-for-multi-instance-switching) and [instance nicknames](/doc/docs/multi-instance-nicknames).

> Multi-instance switching is only available for [brand-managed instances](/doc/docs/brand-managed-instances-overview) and [partner-managed instances](/doc/docs/channel-partners).

---

## Multi-Instance Switching Setup

****Multi-Instance Users****

A user is eligible for multi-instance switching when specific conditions are met across the instances they access.

The user must have a **user record in more than one instance** that is connected through the same [**brand**](/doc/docs/brand-managed-instances-overview) or [**partner**](/doc/docs/channel-partners).

The user’s **username** or **email address** must be consistent across all associated user records, depending on the instance management model.

Learn more about [username and email requirements for multi-instance users](/doc/docs/multi-instance-login).

****Instance Nicknames****

An instance nickname is an alternate display name for an instance in the multi-instance switcher. By default, each instance listed in the multi-instance switcher is displayed using its URL name. This is the portion of the URL that appears before ‘.restaurant365.com’.

Instance nicknames can be viewed and edited on the [**Instances screen**](/doc/docs/my-instances). Changes made to an instance nickname are reflected in the multi-instance switcher for all users with access to the instance.

Learn more about [instance nicknames](/doc/docs/multi-instance-nicknames).

---

## Multi-Instance Switching Navigation and Screens

****System Header Multi-Instance Switcher****

The multi-instance switcher is a dropdown menu in the [system header](/doc/docs/r365-navigation#r365-header) that provides navigation to other accessible instances.

From this dropdown menu, users can:

- Navigate to a favorite or recent instance
- Open the [Instances screen](/doc/docs/my-instances), where users can:
  - Navigate to any instance they have access to
  - [Favorite instances](/doc/docs/set-favorite-instances-for-multi-instance-switching)
  - [Manage instance nicknames](/doc/docs/multi-instance-nicknames)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-7VF9W44I.png)

****Instances Screen****

The [Instances screen](/doc/docs/my-instances) lists all instances a user has access to.

From this page, users can:

- Navigate to any instance they have access to
- [Favorite instances](/doc/docs/set-favorite-instances-for-multi-instance-switching)
- [Manage instance nicknames](/doc/docs/multi-instance-nicknames)

![](https://cdn.us.document360.io/5c9d1111-0c69-4e96-8910-d7f2750fdc9d/Images/Documentation/image-PP8J5C8E.png)

---

### FAQ

#### Why don't I see the multi-instance switcher, even though I have access to more than one instance?

Multi-instance switching only works between instances connected through the same brand or partner relationship — it isn't available for unrelated or standalone instances. Learn more about [brand-managed instances](/doc/docs/brand-managed-instances-overview).

#### I have user records in two connected instances, but I still can't switch between them. Why?

Your username or email address must be consistent across all associated user records for switching to work. Learn more about [username and email requirements for multi-instance users](/doc/docs/multi-instance-login).

#### If I rename an instance's nickname, does that only change what I see, or does it affect other users too?

Nickname changes apply to everyone. Updating an instance's nickname changes what all users with access to that instance see in the switcher, not just your own view. Learn more about [instance nicknames](/doc/docs/multi-instance-nicknames).