Final Fantasy XIV: Free subscription period on Nintendo Switch 2 ends on September 7

14 September 2026
Nintendo Switch 2
6 min.
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Final Fantasy XIV: Free subscription period on Nintendo Switch 2 ends on September 7

Summary:

Square Enix has confirmed that the temporary free subscription period for the full version of Final Fantasy XIV on Nintendo Switch 2 will end on Monday, September 7, 2026 at 23:59 (regional time). From Tuesday, September 8, buyers of the Starter Edition or Complete Edition will start a separate 30-day trial window, after which a separate subscription for the Switch 2 version is required. Payments for subscriptions and optional services are made via FFXIV Coins that you buy in the Nintendo eShop; there is a known launcher issue where the purchase button temporarily doesn’t link through, which is scheduled to be fixed with patch 7.56 on September 8. In this post we clearly explain what changes, how you pay, what temporary workarounds exist and where to turn with questions.

What changes for Final Fantasy XIV Switch 2 players

If you play Final Fantasy XIV on Nintendo Switch 2, one concrete change matters: the free period that Square Enix temporarily offered to ease server load ends on September 7, 2026 at 23:59 in every region. That means players who are currently playing the full version at no cost — because Square Enix granted temporary full access — will no longer have free access after that date unless they fall under the Free Trial terms. For new buyers of the Starter or Complete Edition there’s a separate 30-day free play period that begins on September 8. In short: if you’re on Switch 2, you need to watch your subscription status from those dates and have any FFXIV Coins ready so you’re not suddenly cut off in the middle of a quest or raid.

When does the free subscription period end

Square Enix gives a fixed end date: Monday, September 7, 2026 at 23:59 in every region. That deadline means the temporary full free access — intended to support server stability during and after launch — stops at that moment. So if you were playing the full version without paying, prepare to either switch to the Free Trial (which is limited) or top up your Switch 2 account with FFXIV Coins and a subscription. If you bought the Starter or Complete Edition, the extra 30 days that start on September 8 apply; that period gives you some breathing room to purchase FFXIV Coins and set up your payment method so automatic renewal can work.

What happens after the free period – 30 days for Starter/Complete

Players who register the Starter Edition or Complete Edition automatically receive a 30-day free play period that begins on Tuesday, September 8, 2026. Once those 30 days are over, you’ll need to pay with FFXIV Coins to keep playing. Note: this 30-day free period is separate from the temporary free period that ends on September 7. Also important: if you already have an active subscription on another platform, you can buy the Switch 2 subscription at a 50 percent discount — but only under certain conditions. For example, the discount doesn’t apply if you’re still in another active 30-day free period. In short, read the terms carefully and plan your purchases so you don’t get an unintended interruption to your playtime.

Subscription costs and discounts

The Nintendo Switch 2 version requires a separate subscription, even if you already have an active subscription on PC, PlayStation or Xbox. Square Enix does offer a Nintendo Switch 2 Subscription Discount: players with an active FFXIV subscription on another platform can purchase the Switch 2 subscription for half price. Keep in mind the discount doesn’t apply when you’re still using the 30-day free play period on another platform. Also: if you set up payment before your free period ends, the subscription will be automatically charged from your FFXIV Coins balance when that free period ends. Check your currency and regional settings in time so the right amounts are charged and you aren’t surprised.

How paying with FFXIV Coins via the Nintendo eShop works

For the Switch 2 version you pay with FFXIV Coins that you purchase from the Nintendo eShop. Those coins are then added to your Square Enix account as soon as you log into the Switch 2 client after purchase. If you only play on Switch 2, FFXIV Coins are the only available payment method for subscriptions and in-game services; if you play on multiple platforms, you can buy optional items via the Online Store and possibly move them between platforms, but the Switch 2 subscription itself stays tied to FFXIV Coins. Note: a known bug currently prevents the launcher from linking directly to the eShop — this is expected to be fixed with patch 7.56 on September 8. Until then you can use the HOME button on your Switch 2 to go to Software Information -> Nintendo eShop -> In-Game Items to buy the desired amount of coins and then log in again so they’re added to your account.

Known launcher issues and temporary workarounds

There is currently a known issue where the “Buy FFXIV Coins” button in the Switch 2 launcher does not link through to the Nintendo eShop. Square Enix has indicated this bug will be fixed with patch 7.56, planned for September 8, 2026. Until then the workaround via the HOME menu of the console works: press the + button on the game, go to Software Information and choose Nintendo eShop > In-Game Items to buy FFXIV Coins. After you confirm the purchase, log out and back in to the game so the coins are credited to your Square Enix account. Don’t forget that coins are only linked to the Square Enix account during the first login after purchase; if you’re already logged in during the purchase, log out and back in. These temporary steps make sure you don’t end up without balance when the free period ends.

Accounts, regions and account linking for Switch 2

Pay close attention to which accounts you link: you need both a Nintendo account and a Square Enix account to play on Switch 2, and the registered region of your Square Enix account must match the region of your Nintendo account. If you buy the game in the American eShop but your Square Enix account is registered in Europe, you’ll get an error and won’t be able to play. On first launch you permanently link your Switch 2 user profile to a Square Enix account — you can’t undo or change that later. So choose carefully which account you use, especially if multiple family members take turns playing. If you need extra help you can contact Square Enix’s support pages or our editorial team via Contact for general Nintendo-related questions.

Nintendo Switch Online benefit and extra tips

A small plus for Switch Online members: if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can register one extra aetheryte as a free destination in the Switch 2 version and teleport to it without gil. That’s a handy save, especially if you travel a lot between content zones. Other practical tips: buy your FFXIV Coins with the account you actually use to play the game, watch the coins’ expiration date (they have a limited validity period), and check that automatic renewal is set if you don’t want to manually top up every month. Update your auto-renewal settings in time and keep purchase receipts until everything is correctly visible on your Square Enix account.

Conclusion

The main message is simple: the temporary free subscription period stops on September 7, 2026 and asks Switch 2 players to prepare. If you buy the Starter or Complete Edition a separate 30-day free period starts on September 8, but after that you need to switch to FFXIV Coins and a Switch 2 subscription. Check region settings, buy your coins via the eShop (or via the temporary HOME-menu workaround) and turn on automatic renewal if you want to keep playing continuously. NintendoReporters is keeping an eye on the news and we’ll post updates if Square Enix or Nintendo publish extra details — until then planning and checking prevents frustration during raids and long quest lines.

FAQs
  • When exactly does the free subscription period end?
    • The free period ends Monday, September 7, 2026 at 23:59 in every region.
  • Do buyers of the Starter/Complete Edition start paying immediately?
    • No — they get a separate 30-day free play period that starts on Tuesday, September 8, 2026; after that FFXIV Coins and a subscription are required.
  • How do I buy FFXIV Coins on Switch 2 if the launcher doesn’t link through?
    • Use the HOME button: Software Information → Nintendo eShop → In-Game Items. Choose your coin amount there and then log back into the game so the coins are credited.
  • Can I use my existing FFXIV subscription on Switch 2?
    • You need a separate Switch 2 subscription, but players with an active subscription on another platform can buy a Switch 2 subscription at 50% off under certain conditions.
  • Is Nintendo Switch Online required to play FFXIV?
    • No — Nintendo Switch Online isn’t required. It does offer an extra perk: one favorite aetheryte can be registered for free teleportation without gil.
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