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How to Sign Up for a Free Nintendo Switch Online Trial Membership

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Follow these steps to set up your free seven-day trial Nintendo Switch Online membership.

Information

Nintendo Account users in countries where Nintendo eShop is available can sign up for a free trial individual membership for Nintendo Switch Online.

  • The free trial is available once per Nintendo Account.
  • The free trial can’t be used with Nintendo Accounts that already have an active individual or family membership. However, it can be used after the end of your existing membership. (Note that your auto-renewal settings may need to be adjusted for your current membership.)

Complete These Steps:

You can start the seven-day free trial directly on your Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch console, or by visiting the Nintendo website.

  • On Nintendo Switch 2
    1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch Nintendo eShop.
    2. Select the account you want to use.
    3. Select Nintendo Switch Online on the left side of the screen.
    4. Select See Details next to "Start your free 7-day trial".
      • Option does not appear

        If this option does not appear, then you either already have an existing Nintendo Switch Online membership or you have already received the free trial.

    5. Scroll down and select Free Trial.
    6. Select a payment method when prompted.
      • If you select Credit Card, enter the required credit card information when prompted.
      • If you select PayPal, you will need to link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account, if you have not already done so.
        • How to link PayPal to a Nintendo Account through Nintendo eShop
          1. Use a smart device to scan the QR code displayed on the "Linking a PayPal Account" screen.
          2. Sign in to your Nintendo Account or re-enter your password if you are already signed in.
          3. Select Link a PayPal account.
          4. Log in to your PayPal account or create a new PayPal account.
            • If you need help with this process, or can’t remember your PayPal login information, please visit PayPal for assistance.
          5. Choose the payment method you want to use from the accounts you have on file with PayPal (bank account, credit card, etc).
          6. Select Continue.
          7. Review the PayPal Policies and select Agree & Continue to complete the link.
          8. Select Confirm on your console when your PayPal account has been linked.
            • You may receive the message "Unable to confirm the link to your PayPal account". If you completed the linking process on the Nintendo Account website, wait a while before trying to use PayPal again. If the link is incomplete, finish the linking process on the Nintendo Account website before trying again.
          9. You can now use the PayPal option in the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store to complete your digital purchase.

          For more information, see How to Link PayPal to a Nintendo Account.

      • A payment method for auto-renewal must be entered in order to start a free trial. The payment method you select will be set up to renew automatically when the seven-day trial ends. If you cancel the auto-renewal before the seven-day trial period ends, you will not be charged.
  • On Nintendo Switch
    1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch Nintendo eShop.
    2. Select the account you want to use.
    3. Select Nintendo Switch Online on the left side of the screen.
    4. Select Check/Change Membership.
      • Option does not appear

        If this option does not appear, then you either already have an existing Nintendo Switch Online membership or you have already received the free trial.

    5. Scroll down and select Free Trial.
    6. Select a payment method when prompted.
      • If you select Credit Card, enter the required credit card information when prompted.
      • If you select PayPal, you will need to link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account, if you have not already done so.
        • How to link PayPal to a Nintendo Account through Nintendo eShop
          1. Use a smart device to scan the QR code displayed on the "Linking a PayPal Account" screen.
          2. Sign in to your Nintendo Account or re-enter your password if you are already signed in.
          3. Select Link a PayPal account.
          4. Log in to your PayPal account or create a new PayPal account.
            • If you need help with this process, or can’t remember your PayPal login information, please visit PayPal for assistance.
          5. Choose the payment method you want to use from the accounts you have on file with PayPal (bank account, credit card, etc).
          6. Select Continue.
          7. Review the PayPal Policies and select Agree & Continue to complete the link.
          8. Select Confirm on your console when your PayPal account has been linked.
            • You may receive the message "Unable to confirm the link to your PayPal account". If you completed the linking process on the Nintendo Account website, wait a while before trying to use PayPal again. If the link is incomplete, finish the linking process on the Nintendo Account website before trying again.
          9. You can now use the PayPal option in the Nintendo eShop and Nintendo Store to complete your digital purchase.

          For more information, see How to Link PayPal to a Nintendo Account.

      • A payment method for auto-renewal must be entered in order to start a free trial. The payment method you select will be set up to renew automatically when the seven-day trial ends. If you cancel the auto-renewal before the seven-day trial period ends, you will not be charged.
  • On the Nintendo Website
    1. Visit nintendo.com/switch/online.
    2. Scroll down to the "Compare membership plans" section and select one of the Buy now buttons.
    3. The current Nintendo Switch Online membership pricing and plans will appear.
    4. Select Free Trial in the "Nintendo Switch Online individual membership" section.
      • Option cannot be selected

        If this option cannot be selected, then you either already have an existing Nintendo Switch Online membership or you have already received the free trial.

    5. Enter your Nintendo Account password when prompted.
    6. Review the information about automatic renewal and select NextContinuarSuitePróximo.
    7. Select a payment method for automatic renewal when prompted.
      • If you select Credit Card, enter the required credit card information when prompted.
      • If you select PayPal, you will need to link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account, if you have not already done so.
        • How to link a PayPal account online
          1. Select PayPal as the payment method when adding funds or purchasing software.
          2. Select Link a PayPal account.
          3. Log in to your PayPal account. Visit PayPal if you can't remember your PayPal login information.
          4. When prompted, choose the payment method you want to use from the accounts you have on file with Paypal (bank account, credit card, etc.). Select Continue.
          5. Review the PayPal Policies and select Agree & Continue to complete the link.
          6. Use the PayPal option in the Nintendo Store to complete your digital purchase.

          For more information, including how to link a PayPal account from the Nintendo eShop, see How to Link PayPal to a Nintendo Account on Nintendo Switch.

      • A payment method for auto-renewal must be entered in order to start a free trial. The payment method you select will be set up to renew automatically when the seven-day trial ends. If you cancel the auto-renewal before the seven-day trial period ends, you will not be charged.
    8. Review the information about the free seven-day trial and automatic renewal, then select Start Free Trial to begin your free seven-day trial.

Additional information

  • When you start the free trial, auto-renewal will automatically be activated for an individual 30-day membership, to begin when the trial ends.
  • The Nintendo Account User Agreement, including the Purchase and Subscription terms, applies.
  • When you use a credit card to set up automatic renewal, we may receive updated information from your issuing bank or applicable payment service provider about the credit card. This means we may update the saved credit card's number and expiration date if it is replaced or it has expired. This helps ensure that your subscriptions automatically renew and your purchases complete successfully, even if your credit card information changes.

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