'Nintendo Switch Online' iOS App Now Available - MacRumorsOpen MenuShow RoundupsShow Forums menuVisit ForumsOpen Sidebar
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]

Tag: Nintendo

Top Rated Comments

J
Jeaz
120 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
garirry
120 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
vertsix
120 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)
Read All Comments

Popular Stories

iOS 27 Next to iPhone

Here's When iOS 27 Rolls Out Today in Every Time Zone [Update: It's Out]

Sunday September 13, 2026 3:00 am PDT by
Update 10:04 a.m.: iOS 27 is rolling out now, though it may take a bit for all users to see it, so keep checking! Apple is about to release iOS 27, which will finally deliver more advanced Siri AI capabilities as well as a variety of other refinements, improvements, and new features to iPhones. It's Apple's biggest software update of the year, and Apple announced at Wednesday's iPhone event...
Read Full Article • 151 comments
iOS 27 Icon iPhone

iOS 27 Available Now With These 8 New Features

Monday September 14, 2026 9:00 am PDT by
Update — 10 a.m. Pacific Time: Apple has released iOS 27. During its iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo event last week, Apple announced that iOS 27 will be released widely on Monday, September 14. iOS 27 should be available around 10 a.m. Pacific Time / 1 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Settings app, under General → Software Update. Below, we have highlighted eight new features and...
Read Full Article • 111 comments
Apple iCloud Plus expansion hero

iCloud+ Now Includes Apple TV, Apple Arcade, and Curated Apple Music Stations in Over 100 Countries

Tuesday September 15, 2026 1:43 am PDT by
Apple today announced a new subscription initiative that turns paid iCloud+ subscriptions into a broader services bundle in more than 100 countries. In select countries, Apple says every paid iCloud+ plan, including the cheapest 50GB tier, now includes Apple TV and Apple Arcade "at no additional cost," while family sharing extends the storage, TV and Arcade access to up to five people....
Read Full Article • 104 comments

🔗 Related Apple News & Rumors

Stay updated with the latest Apple ecosystem news and verified rumors