If you just downloaded Apex Legends on your Nintendo Switch, the first question you’re probably asking before queueing up with friends is do you need Nintendo Online for Apex Legends. I’ve been playing Apex on Switch since it launched on the platform, and I’ve run into every possible scenario from lapsed subscriptions to free access weekends, so I can break down exactly what you need to skip the annoying pop-ups and jump straight into matches. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but it mostly comes down to what you want to do in the game, and how often you plan to play.
Do You Need Nintendo Online for Apex Legends Core Multiplayer?
For 90% of players who want to experience the full Apex Legends offering, the short answer is yes. Nintendo requires an active Nintendo Online subscription for all server-based multiplayer gameplay across nearly all third-party and first-party titles on the Switch, and Apex is no exception. I tested this firsthand last month when my annual subscription lapsed: I tried to load into a trios match with friends on PlayStation, and got a hard pop-up blocking me from entering the lobby before I even got to see my daily challenges.
This rule applies to every public multiplayer mode in the game, from standard battle royale and ranked play to rotating mixtape modes like Control and Team Deathmatch. It also applies even if you have crossplay enabled and are only queuing with friends on other platforms like PC, Xbox, or PlayStation. If you’re wondering do you need Nintendo Online for Apex Legends to play ranked, the answer is also a firm yes, even if you only play solo queue with no crossplay enabled.
The only caveat here is that you don’t need the higher-tier Nintendo Online + Expansion Pack to play Apex. The base subscription tier is more than enough to access all multiplayer features of the game, so you don’t have to pay extra for the retro game library or expansion content for other titles if you only subscribe for Apex.
Exceptions Where You Don’t Need a Nintendo Online Subscription
There are a small handful of scenarios where you can play parts of Apex Legends without paying for a Nintendo Online subscription, though none of them let you access full public matches. These exceptions are great if you’re new to the game and want to test it out before committing to a subscription, or if your subscription lapsed and you just want to practice your mechanics for a few days before renewing.
- Firing range and basic training modes to practice aim, test weapon recoil, and try out character abilities without connecting to public lobbies
- Free Nintendo Online access weekends held 3-4 times per year for all Switch users, usually aligned with big game launches or holiday periods
- Complimentary 7-day or 14-day Nintendo Online trials included with select physical game purchases or new Switch console bundles
- Account sharing with a family group member who has an active Nintendo Online family plan, at no extra cost to you
It’s worth noting that Apex Legends has no offline single-player campaign or local split-screen mode, so you can’t access any story content or play with friends in the same room without an internet connection. The firing range and basic training modes do still require an internet connection to load, you just don’t need a Nintendo Online subscription to access them. If you’re completely offline, you won’t be able to launch Apex at all on Switch, even for practice.
If you’re waiting for a subscription renewal or a free access weekend, the firing range is actually a great way to spend your time. You can test out new legend abilities, practice your aim with meta weapons, and even work on movement tech like tap strafing that you can bring into public matches once you have access again. I’ve spent entire rainy afternoons in the firing range when my subscription lapsed, and it made a noticeable difference in my win rate once I was able to get back into matches.
Perks of Having Nintendo Online for Apex Legends Players
Beyond just access to public matches, a Nintendo Online subscription comes with a few extra perks that make it even more valuable for regular Apex players. One of the most underrated perks for anyone wondering do you need Nintendo Online for Apex Legends is the added security for your progress. The subscription includes cloud save backup for all your save data, which acts as a secondary backup for your Apex progress even if you have cross-progression enabled through your EA account.
I learned how useful this is last year when my old Switch Lite broke after I dropped it on concrete. I had cross-progression enabled, but I had a weird sync bug with my EA account that made me lose 2 levels of battle pass progress when I logged into my new Switch. The cloud save from Nintendo Online let me restore that progress in 2 minutes, no support tickets required. It’s a small feature, but it’s saved me a lot of frustration.
Subscribers also get access to exclusive Nintendo Switch-only Apex skins and in-game items a few times a year. A couple of years ago, Nintendo Online subscribers got a free, limited-edition Wraith skin with a Nintendo-themed pattern, and it’s still one of my most used skins today. These items are never released again after their initial drop, so they’re a great way to show off that you’re a long-time Switch player in lobbies.
You also get access to special in-game event bonuses for Apex sometimes, like extra battle pass stars or crafting materials during big seasonal events. These bonuses are usually small, but they add up over time, especially if you grind battle passes every season. If you play other online Switch games like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or Splatoon 3, your subscription covers access to those too, so you’re not just paying for Apex alone.
Tips to Save Money on Nintendo Online for Apex Play
A lot of new Switch players get sticker shock when they see the subscription price, but there are a lot of easy ways to cut the cost down to almost nothing, even if you only play Apex. First, don’t buy the monthly individual subscription. It costs $3.99 per month, which adds up to almost $48 per year, while the annual individual plan only costs $19.99, which works out to less than $2 per month for full access.
If you have even one friend or family member who plays Switch games, split a Nintendo Online family plan. The family plan costs $34.99 per year for up to 8 people, which works out to less than $5 per person annually, which is basically pocket change for year-round access to all online Switch games. I split a family plan with 5 of my friends who play Apex, and we each pay less than $7 a year for our subscriptions.
Keep an eye out for sales on Nintendo Online subscriptions during holiday periods like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, where you can often get 20-30% off annual plans. You can also stack free trials from physical game purchases to extend your subscription for free. I’ve gotten 3 free 7-day trials from buying used physical Mario games at my local game store, and stacked them to add 3 extra weeks to my subscription for no cost.
If you only play Apex for a few weeks every season when new content drops, you can even buy a month of subscription at a time and cancel it between seasons to save money. That’s a great option for casual players who don’t grind the game year-round, and it lets you only pay for the time you actually play.
At the end of the day, if you’re looking to play public matches, grind ranked, or queue up with friends across platforms, the short answer to do you need Nintendo Online for Apex Legends is yes. But if you only want to mess around in the firing range to practice your aim or test new legend abilities, you can get away without paying for a subscription right away. For most regular players, the cost is more than worth it, especially if you split a family plan with friends, and the extra perks like cloud saves and exclusive skins make it even better. I’ve had an active subscription for 4 years now, and it’s easily one of the best value gaming purchases I make every year.