Those who own a Switch often also have the Nintendo Switch Online subscription. There is a special app with additional features for this, but not all iPhone users will have access to it soon.
The Nintendo Switch Online subscription includes features like multiplayer and online mode, which are needed for many games. The app offers additional functions to make even better use of these modes. This includes, for example, voice chat via smartphone and the possibility to send invitations to other players via social networks. Nintendo offers the Switch online app for free for both Android and iPhone. But on iOS, the barriers to entry are now getting higher.
App for Nintendo Switch Online requires iOS 14 and higher.
Until now, the app for Nintendo Switch Online could be installed on older smartphones. Users only needed an Android device running version 6.0 or higher, or an iPhone running at least iOS 12. However, Nintendo has now announced on its Japanese website that it wants to raise the requirements for the iOS system. In the future, the app will only run on iPhones with iOS 14 or higher. The changeover is to take place in the summer of 2022, Nintendo has not yet been more specific.
Around summer 2022, we plan to update the iOS version of the “Nintendo Switch Online” app. This update will change the operating environment to “iOS version 14.0 or later.” Please note that the app will not be available on devices running “iOS version 13 or earlier.”
Nintendo Japan
So those users whose iPhones are still running older firmware will be looking down the tubes with the change. This mainly affects owners with models older than the iPhone 6s. Or those who do not want to update their iPhone for other reasons. Overall, however, the group of subscribers who can no longer install the app should be manageable.
Voice chat in the Nintendo Switch Online app
In principle, Nintendo Switch Online can also be used without the app. However, it is a prerequisite for features like the chat function, which can also only be used with certain titles. Nintendo gives the list of supported games as follows:
- ARMS
- Dragon Quest Builders 2
- Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
- Mario Tennis Aces
- Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order
- Mortal Kombat 11
- Red Faction Guerrilla Re-Mars-tered
- Saints Row: The Third – The Full Package
- Skulls of the Shogun: Bone-A-Fide Edition
- Splatoon 2
- Stardew Valley
- Super Mario Party
- Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
- TT Isle of Man
In addition, voice chat via the Switch Online app is supported by the entire Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) game library.
We explain in the video which possibilities the Switch Online subscription offers and for which users it is suitable at all:
Source
- Nintendo Japan
Topics
- iOS
- iPhone