'Nintendo Switch Online' iOS App Now Available - MacRumors
Skip to Content

'Nintendo Switch Online' iOS App Now Available

by

As Nintendo prepares to launch Splatoon 2 on July 21, it has made the Nintendo Switch Online app available in the iOS App Store. Nintendo Switch Online, first introduced earlier this month, is designed to enhance the online experience when using compatible games on the Nintendo Switch console.

At the current time, Splatoon 2 is the only game that's compatible with Nintendo Switch Online, and it will allow players to voice chat with friends, invite people to online matches, create teams, and access SplatNet 2.

nintendoswitchonline
SplatNet 2, designed specifically for Splatoon 2, offers up online play statistics like match results, stages, and rankings. It also lets users invite friends with Splatoon 2 to Private Battles, League Battles, and Splatfest battles across social media.

While Nintendo Switch Online is limited to Splatoon 2 right now, future games will have built in support, with Nintendo Switch Online serving as the hub for most interactive features like voice chat. When using voice chat, Nintendo says it works in different ways based on the game that's being played. Users can either chat with everyone in the room or split voice chat into teams.

The app's functionality and the Splatoon 2 online play will be available for free until the full Nintendo Switch Online service launches in 2018. Following the launch of Nintendo Switch Online, most games with online gameplay will require an ongoing subscription. Nintendo Switch Online will cost $19.99 per year or $3.99 per month with a monthly subscription.

A persistent internet connection is required to use the app, as is a Nintendo Switch console, and a Nintendo Account. Users must be at least 13 years old to download and use the app, and it won't work until Splatoon 2 is released on July 21. For now, expect to see a login error when attempting to sign in with a Nintendo account.

Nintendo Switch Online can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

119 months ago
The Nintendo service does not include online backup which in my opinion is one of the most important parts of the PlayStation Plus.

Anyhow, the app may be available but at least at this time it’s down for service.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
garirry Avatar
119 months ago
Is the online multiplayer for Nintendo systems free? Are they now aiming to force players to pay for access to features like team chat and custom match-making?

Or are they just debuting a revamped pricing scheme?
Unfortunately, it's true to some extent however it's just $20 a year which is very reasonable considering the $60 per year on PSN and XBL. So if I got a Switch I'd probably not hesitate getting the service right away unlike its competitors'.

Also hopefully this app doesn't take too long to release on Android.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vertsix Avatar
119 months ago
Is the online multiplayer for Nintendo systems free? Are they now aiming to force players to pay for access to features like team chat and custom match-making?

Or are they just debuting a revamped pricing scheme?
it used to be free, but now it is paid (the nintendo switch online trial ends later this year)

but it's actually a better deal than xbox live and playstation network, since you'll apparently be getting access to a database of old nintendo games plus a bunch of other perks

all for $20/yr which seems very reasonable
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iphone duo

Apple Announces Foldable 'iPhone Duo'

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:56 am PDT by
Apple today announced the "iPhone Duo," a new kind of iPhone featuring two screens and a foldable inner display. The two halves of the iPhone Duo connect into a single continuous frame with the same aspect ratio across both displays, and Apple said the transition between open and closed is designed to feel fluid. When fully open, Apple says it is the thinnest iPhone ever made, with an...
Surprise and Shine Live Coverage Article

Apple Event Live Blog: iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, and More Expected

Wednesday September 9, 2026 9:10 am PDT by
Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event kicks off today at 10:00 a.m. Pacific Time, where we're expecting to see the foldable iPhone Duo, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 models, new AirPods 5 earphones, and perhaps some other announcements. Apple is providing a live video stream on its website, on YouTube, and in the company's TV app across various platforms. We...
iOS 27 Feature Dark

Apple Announces iOS 27 Release Date

Wednesday September 9, 2026 10:46 am PDT by
At its event today unveiling the iPhone 18 Pro, AirPods 5, Apple Watch Series 12, and more, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released later this month. iOS 27 has already been available as a developer beta since June and as a public beta since July, and Apple today said that the update will be released for all users with a compatible iPhone model on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 is...