Games

Apex Legends is leaving Nintendo Switch on August 4, 2026 – and what that means for every player

1 February 2026
Nintendo Switch 2Nintendo Switch
10 min.
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Apex Legends is leaving Nintendo Switch on August 4, 2026 – and what that means for every player

Summary:

Big platform changes can feel like somebody just moved the goalposts mid-match, and that’s exactly the vibe many Nintendo Switch players are going to get from this announcement. EA and Respawn Entertainment have confirmed that Season 29 is the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch, and starting August 4, 2026 – which lines up with Season 30 – the game will no longer be playable on the original Switch system. Up until that date, matches will run as normal, rewards can still be earned, and you can keep dropping in like nothing’s changed. After that date, though, the original Switch version won’t be able to connect, which effectively ends play on that hardware.

The good news is that this change is not aimed at your account or your locker. Progress, purchases, and earnings are tied to your individual EA account, and the message from EA and Respawn is that everything you’ve earned or bought – including cosmetics and Apex Coins – will carry over to Nintendo Switch 2. That means the biggest priority is making sure you’re using the correct EA account and that your Nintendo account is linked the way you expect. There’s also a key purchasing detail: starting August 4, 2026, premium currency will no longer be available for purchase on Nintendo Switch, though existing balances can still be used before that date, and those balances can be used on Switch 2 as well. A small but important footnote applies in some regions where digital currency must be used within a set window, noted as 180 days. Put simply: keep playing on Switch if you want until the cutoff, but plan your landing early if Switch 2 is where you’ll be continuing.

The Switch Apex Legends changeover in plain English

Let’s cut through the noise first, because this is one of those updates that can sound scarier than it is. EA and Respawn have said Nintendo Switch is reaching the end of the road for Apex Legends support, with Season 29 as the final update on that system. You can still play normally on the original Switch until August 4, 2026. After that date – which is tied to the start of Season 30 – Apex Legends won’t be playable on Nintendo Switch at all, because it won’t be able to connect to the servers. If you’re moving to Nintendo Switch 2, the game keeps going there, including future seasons beyond Season 29. In other words, the “door” is closing on one piece of hardware, not on your account, your progress, or your cosmetics.

The timeline from Season 29 to August 4, 2026

If you like having dates pinned down instead of floating anxiety, here’s the heartbeat of the schedule. Season 29 is the last season where Nintendo Switch receives updates in the same way it has up to now. You can continue playing on the original Switch all the way up to August 4, 2026, earning rewards and jumping into matches as usual. The critical shift happens on August 4, 2026, which is when Season 30 begins – and that’s also when the original Switch version stops being playable. This isn’t framed as a gradual slowdown where only some modes work. The expectation is simple: Nintendo Switch will not be able to connect after the cutoff, while Nintendo Switch 2 continues forward with new seasons.

What stops on Nintendo Switch after August 4, 2026

After August 4, 2026, Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch isn’t just “unsupported” in the casual sense of fewer patches or slower fixes. It’s not playable, full stop, because it won’t be able to connect to the servers the game requires. That distinction matters because it answers the most common question right away: no, you can’t keep it installed and play “offline” later. Apex Legends is built around online play and server connection, so when that connection is no longer available for the Switch version, the game ends on that device. Another change tied to the same date is purchasing: premium currency will no longer be available to buy on Nintendo Switch starting August 4, 2026. You can still use what you already have before that date, but you can’t keep topping up on the original Switch after the cutoff.

What continues on Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 is the continuation point for Nintendo players who want to stay in Apex Legends long-term. Future seasons will remain available on Switch 2, including Season 30 and everything that follows, and the announcement specifically frames this transition as a shift in focus to the newer platform. The practical takeaway is that Switch 2 is treated like a fully supported platform going forward, while Switch is sunset. If you already play Apex Legends on Switch today, the idea is not that you start over on Switch 2 like it’s a brand-new game. Instead, the move is designed to keep your account intact and let you continue on new hardware without losing what you’ve already earned.

Your EA account is the key – how carryover works

If Apex Legends were a suitcase, your EA account is the handle – it’s what you carry from platform to platform. EA and Respawn’s messaging is that all player progress, purchases, and earnings are tied to an individual EA account, and that everything earned or purchased, including Apex Coins and cosmetics, carries over to Nintendo Switch 2. That means the most important “prep work” isn’t grinding one last battle pass level, it’s making sure you know which EA account you’ve been using, and that it’s the one you plan to keep using on Switch 2. If you’ve ever logged in and thought, “Wait, why is my username different?” – now is the time to sort that out. This isn’t about guesswork or hoping it magically merges later. It’s about being deliberate so your inventory shows up exactly where you expect it.

Linking accounts before the deadline

Linking can sound like a boring checkbox chore, but it’s the kind of boring task that prevents a very loud headache later. The goal is simple: when you sign in on Nintendo Switch 2, the game should recognize the same EA account you’ve been playing on with Nintendo Switch. That’s how your progress and purchases stay attached to you. If you’ve only ever played on Switch with one EA account, this tends to be straightforward. If you’ve played on multiple systems over the years, or you’ve ever created a second EA account by accident, the safest approach is to verify which one actually holds your Apex Legends identity. Think of it like making sure you’re boarding the right flight – the plane might still take off either way, but you’ll be pretty upset if you land in the wrong city.

Quick checklist on Nintendo Switch

Before the August 4, 2026 cutoff, it helps to do a quick personal audit, even if everything seems fine. First, confirm the EA account you’re using – not just your Nintendo profile name, but the actual EA account identity that your Apex Legends progress is tied to. Second, if you have access to account settings or confirmation emails, make sure you can still log into that EA account without relying on an old phone number or a forgotten password. Third, check your in-game currency balance and outstanding purchases so you know what you’re carrying over. Finally, if you plan to buy Switch 2 later, remember the announcement explicitly says carryover still applies even if you purchase Switch 2 after August 4, 2026. That means you don’t have to panic-buy hardware, but you do want your account details to be rock solid.

One last sanity check

This is the “two keys and a wallet” moment before you walk out the door. Log in, look at your cosmetics, and make sure the account you’re on actually reflects your history – your skins, banners, trackers, and overall progress. If something feels off right now on Switch, it will not magically become clearer later when you’re trying to migrate under time pressure. It’s also smart to check whether your Nintendo Switch profile is the one you intend to use on Switch 2, because switching user profiles or mixing accounts can create confusion fast. The goal isn’t to overthink it, it’s to remove surprises. Nobody wants their first Switch 2 session to turn into a detective story.

Apex Coins and purchases – what to do with your balance

Currency rules are where players tend to get nervous, because digital balances can feel like they vanish into thin air if you blink at the wrong time. The announcement is clear on two practical points: starting August 4, 2026, you can’t purchase premium currency on Nintendo Switch anymore, and any existing balances can be used before August 4, 2026. It also states that players can use existing balances from Nintendo Switch on Nintendo Switch 2. So what should you do? If you already know you’re upgrading, the simplest strategy is to treat your balance like a backpack – don’t dump everything out just because you’re changing shoes. Keep it attached to your account, and plan purchases with intention instead of panic. If you’re not upgrading immediately, be extra mindful about what you buy and when, because you may want to use what you’ve purchased within the allowed window on the platform that will still be playable after the cutoff.

Regional currency rules and the 180-day note

There’s one line in the announcement that’s easy to skip, but it’s important enough to deserve a spotlight: in some regions, local laws require you to use digital currency within 180 days of purchase. That means the “best” approach to currency can vary depending on where you live and what rules apply to your purchases. The safe mindset is to avoid sitting on fresh premium currency buys for too long if there’s any chance an expiration rule applies to you. If you’re the type of player who tops up once and spends slowly over months, this is a good moment to be a little more intentional. Not because the sky is falling, but because nobody likes discovering fine print only after the match has already started.

Performance and experience differences between Switch and Switch 2

Even without getting into technical jargon, most players understand this transition on a gut level: newer hardware tends to mean a smoother ride. Apex Legends on the original Switch has always been a version that prioritized “it runs” over “it sings,” and the move to Switch 2 gives Respawn a clearer target going forward. This matters because competitive shooters live and die by feel – responsiveness, clarity, and consistency are not luxuries, they’re part of the game’s language. When Respawn says it’s evolving the game’s technical foundation and focusing on delivering a high-quality experience, this platform shift is the practical result. For players, it means Switch 2 is positioned as the place where Apex Legends can keep pace with how the game continues to grow, season after season, without being held back by older constraints.

If you are not upgrading yet – practical options

Not everyone can or wants to jump to new hardware on day one, and the announcement doesn’t pretend otherwise. If you’re staying on Nintendo Switch for now, you still have a clear runway: you can play normally until August 4, 2026, earn rewards, and enjoy Season 29 like any other season. If you’re unsure when you’ll move to Switch 2, the key is to protect what matters most – your EA account access, your linked identity, and your understanding of your currency situation. Because carryover is said to apply even if you buy Switch 2 after the cutoff, the “plan” can be as simple as: keep your account in good standing now, keep your login details secure, and don’t make purchases you’re not comfortable managing under your region’s digital currency rules. You don’t need to sprint, but you do want to know where the finish line is.

Avoiding common mistakes during the transition

Most problems players run into during platform transitions aren’t caused by bad luck, they’re caused by messy account habits that were harmless until a deadline showed up. The biggest avoidable mistake is losing track of which EA account actually holds your Apex Legends progress. Another common trap is assuming you can “fix it later” after you switch systems, when the smoothest move is usually the one where you verify everything while you’re still on the old device. Also, don’t wait until the final week to think about premium currency. If you plan to buy anything, do it with enough time to use it comfortably before the cutoff, especially with the 180-day note hanging in the background for some regions. Finally, remember the core rule here: this announcement applies to Nintendo Switch, not Nintendo Switch 2. Mixing those two in your head is how people end up doomscrolling at 2 a.m. over a problem they don’t actually have.

Conclusion

August 4, 2026 is the line in the sand for Apex Legends on the original Nintendo Switch: Season 29 is the final update, and Season 30 marks the point where the Switch version is no longer playable. Up to that date, you can keep playing normally, earning rewards and enjoying matches like always. After that, Nintendo Switch 2 is the path forward for Nintendo players who want future seasons, and the key promise is that your progress, purchases, and earnings – including Apex Coins and cosmetics – carry over through your EA account. Treat this like a planned rotation, not a panic evacuation. Check your account details, understand your currency situation, and you’ll be ready to keep dropping in on the hardware that’s supported going forward.

FAQs
  • When will Apex Legends stop being playable on Nintendo Switch?
    • Apex Legends will no longer be playable on the original Nintendo Switch starting August 4, 2026, which is tied to the start of Season 30.
  • Is Season 29 really the final update for Nintendo Switch?
    • Yes. Season 29 is stated to be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch, while future seasons continue on Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Can Nintendo Switch players keep playing until the shutdown date?
    • Yes. Players can continue playing, earning rewards, and joining matches as usual until August 4, 2026.
  • What happens to Apex Coins and cosmetics when moving to Nintendo Switch 2?
    • Progress, purchases, and earnings are tied to your EA account, and everything earned or purchased – including Apex Coins and cosmetics – is stated to carry over to Nintendo Switch 2.
  • Can we still buy premium currency on Nintendo Switch after August 4, 2026?
    • No. Premium currency will no longer be available for purchase on Nintendo Switch starting August 4, 2026, though existing balances can be used before that date and used on Switch 2.
Sources
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