Looking to grab the Nintendo Switch Online app to get started on your path down online interaction with your Switch and games like Splatoon 2? Good news! You can already download the Nintendo Switch Online app from both the App Store for iOS users and the Google Play Store for Android users.
The only drawback is, you can’t do a whole lot with it right now. You’ll be able to beginning Friday, July 21, when Splatoon 2 makes its big debut on the Nintendo Switch, kicking off the app’s launch period for any other multiplayer games to be supported down the line. But for now you can (and should) at least get the app so it’s on the mobile device you plan on using to talk to others and organize your multiplayer games.
How can I get the Nintendo Switch Online app now?
Go to the App Store if you’re on iOS and the Google Play Store if you’re on Android. The app is available now, by way of Nintendo, so you can go ahead and get it downloaded ahead of the inevitable rush when everyone starts looking for it for use with Splatoon. Here’s a link to the iOS version and Android version in case it’s not showing up in search, which up until today it was a little difficult to find.
How do I log in and use the Nintendo Switch Online app?
You’re going to need your Nintendo account handy to log into the app. You can make a free account and likely made one already to log into your Switch when you started playing games on it. Log in with that same username and password and you’ll be good to go. Right now, however, there isn’t a lot going on. If you don’t have Splatoon 2, you won’t see any games popping up in your menu at the bottom of the screen.
Hang onto the app, however. When the game launches you’ll be able to utilize it for SplatNet 2 and all your online multiplayer needs. It’s not the most useful thing out there at the moment, but you’ll be glad you went ahead and added it to your mobile repertoire when everyone’s trying to get in at once.
For everything else, like how to join games, create lobbies, use SplatNet 2 and more, we’ll have additional help after Splatoon 2 has officially launched.
