How To Cancel Nintendo Online: In 4 Steps With Photos

Gone are the days when you had to go to Game Stop, pick up the latest game, and rush home to play. Online gaming has given rise to paid subscriptions, allowing you to play online. Of course, sometimes you need to save money or are too busy to justify another subscription. If that describes your situation, our simple tutorial below will show you how to cancel your Nintendo Online subscription.

How to Cancel Nintendo Online Using a Web Browser

You can cancel your Nintendo Switch Online subscription in a few quick steps. But you will need a web browser and your Nintendo Account login information. When you’re ready to cancel the subscription, follow these steps:

Step 1: Sign in to Your Nintendo Account

Open a web browser and go to the Nintendo account website. Then, sign into your account.

Note: If you forgot your password, click the Forgot Your Password link and reset it.

Step 2: Click Shop Menu

After logging in to your account, click Shop Menu

Step 3: Scroll Down to Nintendo Switch Online

This step is, admittedly, the one your dear author had the most difficulty finding. On the Shop Menu page, scroll down and click on Nintendo Switch Online in the menu at the bottom of the page.

Step 4: Click Turn Off Automatic Renewal

Finally, click the Turn off automatic renewal button and follow the prompts to cancel your Nintendo Online subscription.

How to Cancel Nintendo Online Using a Switch

If you prefer to cancel your Nintendo Online subscription on your Switch, you can. While the browser is the easiest method, the Switch is more convenient. If you’re ready to cancel your subscription, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select Nintendo eShop

Use the left joystick to navigate to the eShop. You’ll find the option in the bottom row, third icon from the left. Highlight eShop and click the A button on the right controller.

Note: When prompted to choose a user, select the one with the Nintendo Online account you want to cancel. Make sure your Nintendo Switch is charged and powered on.

Step 2: Select Nintendo Switch Online

Using the left joystick again, scroll down to Nintendo Switch Online and click A.

Step 3: Click Your Profile Icon

Use the left joystick and move your cursor to the far right corner. When you highlight your profile icon, click A on the right-side controller.

Step 4: Scroll to Nintendo Switch Online

We’re basically just repeating step two here. Scroll down the new menu and hover over Nintendo Switch Online.

Step 5: Click Turn Off Automatic Renewal

Finally, highlight Turn Off Automatical Renewal in the menu to the right. Then, follow the prompts to confirm you don’t want to be billed for the service again.

Should I Cancel Nintendo Online?

Before you cancel your Nintendo Online subscription, ensure you’re ready to lose the benefits.

Online Games

First, Nintendo Online lets you play online with your friends. While you can play some games remotely with friends, many Nintendo games require a subscription. Here are some popular games you can’t play online with your friends if you don’t have a subscription:

Note: These games are current at the time of writing. Click this link to view updated games in this list.

• Mario Kart Deluxe
• Pokemon Scarlet & Violet
• Splatoon 3
• Animal Crossing
• Minecraft
• Mario Party
• Super Smash Brothers
• Among Us
• Kirby Fighters 2
• Luigi’s Mansion 3

Canceling your NSO (Nintendo Switch Online) account means you can’t play with friends anymore. So, be sure you’re okay with losing that feature before following the tutorial below. However, if you play Fortnite, Pokemon Unite, and Apex Legends (among others), you can still play online.

Cloud Storage

If you know the sinking feeling of realizing all your game progress is gone forever, cloud storage is going to be a huge factor to consider before canceling your Nintendo Online account. Only subscribers get cloud storage.

Don’t assume your game progress is safe because it’s stored on your Switch/ If your Switch gets damaged or has a hardware failure and needs a new motherboard (we’re speaking from experience here), all of your game progress is gone forever.

Nintendo Classics

This one may not be on the top of your list, but it’s quite appealing for some of us 90s kids. If you cancel your Nintendo Online subscription, you can no longer access some of the classic Nintendo games.

Special Offers

Even the basic Nintendo Online subscription gives players some pretty neat special offers. You’ll receive game discounts and more with the subscription. However, this one’s easily overlooked if you don’t check your email often.

What Happens After Canceling Nintendo Online

A few things happen after you cancel your Nintendo Online subscription. First, you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know you turned off automatic renewal. It’s important to check this email and save it. If you are charged again, you can reach out to the Nintendo Support Team for help. The email also confirms you successfully canceled your subscription.

Like most subscription services today, Nintendo Online won’t stop working as soon as you cancel it. You can still enjoy special offers, cloud storage, and online play until your next renewal date. The reason companies do this is that you pre-paid for the subscription. While Nintendo won’t give you a prorated refund, you can use the time you paid for.

If you want to know the renewal date, go to the Turn Off Automatic Renewal option and look at the date. You won’t see another Nintendo Online charge if you cancel before that date.

Nintendo Off-Line

Hopefully, our tutorial helped you cancel your Nintendo Online subscription. As you can see, canceling a plan is pretty easy on the Switch or a web browser. When you’re ready to let go of Nintendo Online, be sure to check your renewal date and follow the steps above to turn off the automatic renewal.