Yes, Nintendo Switch Online has a free trial. Nintendo says you get a free seven-day trial of an individual membership, available once per Nintendo Account, and you can start it on a Nintendo Switch 2, a Nintendo Switch or the Nintendo website. You need to add a card or PayPal, and the trial turns into a one-month membership unless you turn off automatic renewal first.
There's one rule in Nintendo's help page that's easy to miss and hard to undo: once you turn automatic renewal off, Nintendo says you can't turn it back on. So time it carefully. Here's how the trial works.
Who can get the free trial
- Nintendo Account holders in countries where Nintendo eShop is available.
- Accounts that haven't had the free trial before, because Nintendo says it's available once per Nintendo Account.
- Accounts without an active individual or family membership. Nintendo says you can use the trial after an existing membership ends.
Nintendo has occasionally let people try again: a Nintendo news post invited players to retry with another free 7-day trial even if they'd had one before. That was a one-off offer, so treat once per account as the normal rule.
What the trial includes, and what it doesn't
The trial covers the standard individual membership. Nintendo's comparison page says both tiers include:
- Online play in supported games.
- Save Data Cloud backup for supported games.
- Nintendo Classics libraries with select NES, Super NES and Game Boy games.
- The Nintendo Music app and member offers.
What's left out is Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack. Nintendo says the free trial can't be used for an Expansion Pack membership, so Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance, SEGA Genesis and the GameCube classics on Switch 2 aren't part of the trial.
| Feature | Free trial | Expansion Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Online play | Yes | Yes |
| Save Data Cloud backup | Yes | Yes |
| NES, Super NES and Game Boy classics | Yes | Yes |
| Nintendo 64, Game Boy Advance and SEGA Genesis classics | No | Yes |
| GameCube classics on Switch 2 | No | Yes |
How to start the trial on your console
- Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu.
- Select Nintendo Switch Online on the left of the screen.
- Select See Details next to the free 7-day trial. If it doesn't appear, Nintendo says you either have a membership already or have used the trial.
- Choose credit card or PayPal and enter the details when asked.
- Confirm, and the seven days start.
Nintendo says a card or PayPal for automatic renewal must be added before the trial starts. If you cancel automatic renewal before the seven days are up, nothing is taken.
The automatic renewal catch
Here's the line to read twice. Nintendo's help page says that once automatic renewal is turned off, it can't be turned on again. If you switch it off on day one to be safe, the trial still runs to the end, but you'll need to sign up again yourself if you decide to stay.
In the UK, Nintendo describes what happens if you leave it on: the trial renews automatically into an individual 1-month (30-day) membership.
How to turn off automatic renewal
- On a Nintendo Switch 2, select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu.
- Select the account that started the Nintendo Switch Online trial.
- Select your icon in the upper-right corner to open Account Information.
- Scroll down and select the option to turn off automatic renewal.
- Or on the Nintendo website, sign in and use the same option in the Nintendo Switch Online Membership Status section.
Starting the trial on a Nintendo Switch
On the original Nintendo Switch the menu names are slightly different. Nintendo says you select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu, pick the account you want to use, select Nintendo Switch Online on the left, then Check/Change Membership, scroll down and select Free Trial. If the option doesn't appear, Nintendo says you either have a membership already or have used the trial.
Using PayPal
If you pick PayPal, Nintendo says you'll need to link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account first. On the console you scan a QR code on the Linking a PayPal Account screen with your phone, sign in to your Nintendo Account, log in to PayPal, choose your funding option and select Agree and Continue. Once it's linked, select Confirm on the console and carry on with the trial.
If you see a message saying Nintendo couldn't confirm the link, Nintendo suggests waiting a while before trying again, or finishing the link on the Nintendo Account website.
Is the Nintendo Switch Online free trial worth it?
Yes, if you want to test online play with friends or back up your save data before deciding. Seven days is short, so plan a week with game nights in it. If you're looking for things to play, my picks of 2 player Switch games and Switch Lite games that play best handheld are good places to start.
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I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
My verdict: start the trial when you'll play every day, leave automatic renewal on until near the end, then switch it off on day 6 if you don't want to stay. Remember you can't switch it back on afterwards.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Nintendo Switch Online free trial?
Nintendo says the free trial lasts seven days and covers an individual membership.
Can I get the Nintendo Switch Online free trial twice?
Normally no. Nintendo says the free trial is available once per Nintendo Account.
Does the free trial include the Expansion Pack?
No. Nintendo says the free trial can't be used for a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership.
Do I need a card for the Nintendo Switch Online free trial?
You need a credit card or PayPal, because Nintendo sets the trial to renew automatically when it ends.
Can I turn automatic renewal back on?
No. Nintendo says once automatic renewal is turned off, it can't be turned on again.
Why can't I see the free trial option?
Nintendo says the option won't appear if you already have a membership or have already used the free trial.
Can I use PayPal for the Nintendo Switch Online free trial?
Yes. Nintendo says you can choose PayPal, but you need to link your PayPal account to your Nintendo Account first.
What do I get in the Nintendo Switch Online free trial?
Nintendo's standard membership includes online play, Save Data Cloud backup, NES, Super NES and Game Boy classics, the Nintendo Music app and member offers.
Can I start the trial on the Nintendo website?
Yes. Nintendo says you can start the seven-day trial on your console or by visiting the Nintendo website.
