Nintendo Switch Online adds online play and compatibility to the Nintendo Switch gaming console. It allows for online multiplayer gaming, and it unlocks a massive library of classic NES games.

But it’s not for everyone. If you find yourself wanting to cancel and switch back to a free Nintendo account, you can follow these instructions to opt-out of your Nintendo Switch Online membership.

How to Cancel a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription

To cancel your Nintendo Switch Online membership you must revoke the renewal payment option. This way you can continue to enjoy the Online membership for however many days remain on the payment period.

  • Turn on your Nintendo Switch and open the Nintendo eShop app.
  • Select Nintendo Switch Online.
  • ​
  • Select your profile image in the top-right corner.
  • ​
  • Select Nintendo Switch Online.
  • ​
  • Select Terminate Automatic Renewal.
  • ​
  • It can take up to 48 hours for a renewal cancellation to register, so make sure to do this at least two days before your membership is set to renew.
  • A message will pop up showing you the expiration date for your Nintendo Switch Online membership. Make a note of it or add it to your preferred calendar app so that you don’t forget.
  • ​
  • Select Terminate.
  • If you own a family membership, canceling your Nintendo Switch Online subscription will cancel it for everyone else in the family group as well.
  • A confirmation message will appear. Select OK.
  • ​
  • If you ever want to enable automatic renewal for your membership again, simply return to this same screen within the Nintendo eShop app and select Renew.
  • The automatic renewal for your Nintendo Switch Online membership will now be canceled and it will end on the date provided to you.

What Happens When My Nintendo Switch Online Subscription Expires?

When you deactivate auto-renewal payment, all Nintendo Switch Online features will be available until the expiration date. After the expiration date, the following will occur:

Turn on your Nintendo Switch and open the Nintendo eShop app.

Select Nintendo Switch Online.

Select your profile image in the top-right corner.

Select Terminate Automatic Renewal.

It can take up to 48 hours for a renewal cancellation to register, so make sure to do this at least two days before your membership is set to renew.

A message will pop up showing you the expiration date for your Nintendo Switch Online membership. Make a note of it or add it to your preferred calendar app so that you don’t forget.

Select Terminate.

If you own a family membership, canceling your Nintendo Switch Online subscription will cancel it for everyone else in the family group as well.

A confirmation message will appear. Select OK.

The automatic renewal for your Nintendo Switch Online membership will now be canceled and it will end on the date provided to you.

If you ever want to enable automatic renewal for your membership again, simply return to this same screen within the Nintendo eShop app and select Renew.

  • Your Nintendo account will still exist. You’ll still be able to use your Nintendo Switch, play games, and see when friends are online.
  • No more online games. Without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you will no longer be able to play online modes in any video game. The one exception to this rule is Fortnite, which will remain fully-playable.
  • No more voice chat.
  • No more cloud saves. Nintendo doesn’t keep save data on their cloud servers for expired accounts, so if you break or lose your Nintendo Switch, you’ll be unable to restore games from the cloud. However, local save data on your system and game cards will work as normal.
  • No more NES games. After the Nintendo Online service expires, you will lose access to all of the Nintendo Entertainment System video games, like Super Mario Bros. 3 and Legend of Zelda.
  • You keep your purchases. Any digital games or downloadable content purchased from the Nintendo eShop will still be playable and downloadable. You’ll also still be able to buy content from the eShop and play it, but you will not have access to online multiplayer. Any downloaded Nintendo Switch apps will also still be available.

Can I Get a Refund to Nintendo Switch Online?

Nintendo doesn’t offer refunds for the cancellation of a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, as it is impossible to turn off a subscription immediately. Instead, the automatic renewal of a membership is turned off and you get full access to the service until the expiration date.

It may be possible to get a refund on a Nintendo Switch Online membership gift card, but only if you haven’t redeemed it, haven’t revealed its code, you have the receipt, and the retailer you purchased it from accepts gift card returns.

Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day