Nintendo Switch Online Service FAQ

General Information

Can I play games online without subscribing to the service?

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to participate in co-op and competitive online features for many first- and third-party Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games, including Mario Kart World, Splatoon 3, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate.

Some games, such as Fortnite, can be played online without a Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Which games require Nintendo Switch Online?

Games that require a Nintendo Switch Online membership for online play are identified in Nintendo eShop and in the game's product information on the Nintendo website. Additional online features (such as Nintendo Switch App and Save Data Cloud backup compatibility) will also be displayed there.

For games released after September 18, 2018, the online requirements and features are also noted on the back of the game's box.

For additional assistance locating compatible games, please visit the Nintendo Switch Online website.

What are the requirements to use the Nintendo Switch Online service?

You will need the following:

• A Nintendo Account
• Internet access
• Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system with system menu version 6.0 or higher
• Smart device with Nintendo Switch App version 1.4.0 or higher (only required for in-game voice chat features)

Where is the service available?

In the Americas, Nintendo Switch Online is available in the following countries:

• U.S.
• Canada
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Brazil
• Chile
• Colombia
• Peru

For a complete list of the features and services that are available in each country, please read Nintendo Switch Online Service and Feature Availability by Country.

What special offers are currently available?

For the most up-to-date information on special offers, select Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu of your console or visit https://www.nintendo.com/us/switch/online/nintendo-switch-online/special-offers/.

How do I access the DLC from my Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership?

Users can download certain DLC from Nintendo eShop at no additional cost with an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

For more information, read the article for the DLC you want to access:

• How to Access Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC Content
• How to Access Mario Kart 8 Deluxe – Booster Course Pass Content
• How to Access Splatoon 2 Octo Expansion

What happens if I delete a Nintendo Account with a Nintendo Switch Online membership?

If you delete a Nintendo Account with a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you will no longer be able to use the online service with that account.

If you purchased a family membership with the deleted Nintendo Account, the other members of your family group will also no longer be able to use the service.

Additionally, we are unable to guarantee that cloud save data will be retained after an extended period of time from when your membership is ended. However, you can continue to use the save data that is saved to your system memory.

Please note that we are unable to refund remaining time on the membership if your Nintendo Account is deleted.

You may also find our information on How to Delete a Nintendo Account helpful.

Can I suspend my Nintendo Switch Online membership for a while?

No, it is not possible to suspend use of the service.

Please note that if your console is sent to Nintendo for service, your Nintendo Switch Online membership time will automatically be extended accordingly. This does not apply to service requests for standalone accessories, including Joy-Con.

Will I keep my Nintendo Switch Online membership if I change countries?

Yes. Your Nintendo Switch Online membership will remain active if you change your Nintendo Account settings to a country that supports Nintendo Switch Online.

Questions about the Nintendo Switch App

For information about the Nintendo Switch App for smart devices, please read Nintendo Switch App Overview and FAQ.

Questions about the Nintendo Switch Online classic game controllers

For information about the classic game controllers exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online members, see the following articles:

• NES Controller Overview & FAQ
• Super Nintendo Entertainment System Controller Overview & FAQ
• Nintendo 64 Controller Overview & FAQ
• SEGA Genesis Control Pad Overview & FAQ
• Nintendo GameCube Controller Overview & FAQ

Questions about the Nintendo Music app

For information about the Nintendo Music application for smart devices, please visit the Nintendo Music support site.

Membership Plans & Purchase Information

How can I purchase a membership?

Nintendo Switch Online memberships can be purchased directly through the Nintendo eShop (either on your console or through the Nintendo Store).

Additionally, download codes for memberships (including Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack memberships) can be purchased through select retailers.

How much does it cost?

For a list of current subscription plans and pricing, please read How Much Does a Nintendo Switch Online Membership Cost?.

Can I use My Nintendo Gold Points to purchase the Nintendo Switch Online membership?

Gold Points can be used when purchasing a membership in the Nintendo eShop. They cannot be used for auto-renewal.

Can I try Nintendo Switch Online for free?

You can sign up for a free trial membership to try Nintendo Switch Online for free for 7 days. For information about signing up for a free trial membership, please read How to Sign Up for a Free Nintendo Switch Online Trial Membership.

The free trial does not include any content exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack.

What is the difference between an individual membership and a family membership?

An individual membership provides Nintendo Switch Online service to the Nintendo Account that purchased the service. Individual memberships are available in 1-month, 3-month, or 1-year increments.

A family membership provides the Nintendo Switch Online service to everyone in the purchaser's family group (up to 8 people). Family memberships are available in 12-month increments only. To learn more about the benefits of a family membership, please read Information About Nintendo Switch Online Family Memberships.

Can my individual membership be used by other user profiles on my console?

Each Nintendo Account needs an Individual Membership or needs to be part of a Family Membership to access Nintendo Switch Online or Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack benefits.

Can I change the members in my family membership?

Yes. Members added to the owner's family group will be included in the family membership plan for as long as they remain in the group.

For additional information, please read How to Add Members to a Family Group or How to Remove a Nintendo Account from a Family Group.

Can Nintendo Accounts with different country settings share a family membership?

Yes. However, not all features are available in all countries.

Do all family members need to use the same console or live in the same household?

No. A Nintendo Switch Online family membership is linked to the Nintendo Account - not a specific console. It can be used on any console that the member signs in from.

Can I change from a family membership to an individual membership (or vice versa)?

If you are already part of a family membership, it is not possible to purchase or change to an individual membership. Additionally, download codes for individual memberships cannot be redeemed by someone who is already covered by a family membership. However, if someone else in your family group purchased the family membership, you can leave the family group and purchase an individual membership for yourself.

If you already have an individual membership, you can purchase a family membership at a discounted price from the Nintendo eShop, where available.

You may also find our Information on Changing a Nintendo Switch Online Membership Type (Individual or Family) helpful.

What is added with a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership?

When you purchase a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, you get access to all the great benefits of Nintendo Switch Online, plus various additional features such as additional classic game libraries, access to select downloadable content at no additional charge, and access to exclusive icon elements that can be used to create custom user icons.

For more information on both Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack and Nintendo Switch Online, visit https://www.nintendo.com/switch/online-service.

Can I change from a Nintendo Switch Online to a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership (or vice versa)?

It is possible to change from an individual Nintendo Switch Online membership to an individual or family Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership, or from a family Nintendo Switch Online membership to a family Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.

Those who do so will receive a discount on their new membership determined by the number of days remaining on their current membership, up to the price of the new membership.

It is not possible to change from an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership to a Nintendo Switch Online membership. However, once the membership term ends, the user is free to choose any membership plan at that time.

Can only one family member change to the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack?

No. Individual users on a Family Plan cannot be changed to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. But after purchasing a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack Family Membership, up to eight Nintendo Account holders can use it.

If I purchase additional memberships, will it extend out my current membership time?

You can purchase multiple memberships of the same type (individual or family) to extend your overall membership time, up to 3-years (1,095 days) total. Please note that you cannot combine time from a family membership and an individual membership.

You may also find our information on Can I Purchase Multiple Nintendo Switch Online Memberships to Extend My Membership Time helpful.

How long can I extend my membership?

You can purchase multiple memberships of the same type (individual or family) to extend your overall membership time, up to 3-years (1,095 days) total.

You may also find our information on Can I Purchase Multiple Nintendo Switch Online Memberships to Extend My Membership Time helpful.

How can I adjust my auto-renewal settings?

Auto-renewal can be turned off through "Your Subscriptions" in Nintendo eShop, or on the Account Home website. Once it's turned off, it cannot be turned on again.

Whenever you change your membership type or duration, you should also verify that your auto-renewal settings are set correctly for your preferred membership plan.

We may receive updated information from your issuing bank or applicable payment service provider about the credit card that you have stored in your Nintendo Account for auto-renewal. This means we may update the saved credit card's number and expiration date if it is replaced or it expired. This helps ensure that your subscriptions automatically renew successfully, even if your credit card information changes.

You may also find our information on How to Adjust Nintendo Switch Online Auto-Renewal Settings helpful.

How can I see my current membership information?

You can view your current membership plan through "Your Subscriptions" in Nintendo eShop, on the Account Home website, or by selecting Nintendo Switch Online from the HOME Menu of your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

You may also find our information on How to View Your Nintendo Switch Online Status helpful.

Save Data Cloud Backup

How does Save Data Cloud backup work?

Save Data Cloud backup creates a backup copy of save data for the vast majority of Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games. Nintendo Switch Online members can access the save data by signing in with their Nintendo Account and downloading the save data on any Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console the game is playable on.

Where can I change my Save Data Cloud settings?

When you become a Nintendo Switch online member, backup will be set automatically for all compatible save files - you don't need to do anything else to start using Save Data Cloud. Automatic save-data download, however, must be enabled on each Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console you wish to use it on.

Settings can be manually adjusted for each game and user by selecting System Settings on the HOME menu, then Data ManagementGestión de datosGestion des donnéesGerenciar dados, and Save Data Cloud.

Which games are compatible with Save Data Cloud backup?

The vast majority of Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch games support Save Data Cloud backup.

Games that feature Save Data Cloud backup compatibility are identified in Nintendo eShop and in the game's product information on the Nintendo website.

For additional information about compatible games, please read Which Games Are Compatible with Nintendo Switch Online Save Data Cloud Backup?

Is my save data retained if my Nintendo Switch Online membership ends?

If your Nintendo Switch Online membership expires, you won’t be able to access your Save Data Cloud backups. However, Nintendo will allow users who resubscribe within 180 days to access their previous Save Data Cloud backups.

Does Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch support local save data backups?

Local save data backups are not currently supported on Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch.

While we have nothing additional to announce on this topic, please be assured that we listen carefully to the feedback from our customers. We are constantly working on ways to further enhance the experience of using the system.