Tencent, the company who manages Switch sales and services in China, has announced that they are shutting down all online services for the console.

As announced on the official website, all online services for the Tencent Nintendo Switch will be terminated in 2026. The eshop will remain open until March 10th 2026, with all other network services terminating on May 15th 2026. As compensation, all remaining users will be allowed to redeem 4 free digital games before the shutdown.

🚨 Tencent Nintendo Switch will shut down all online services in 2026 in China 🚨

– eShop purchases possible until 10PM March 31 2026

– ALL remaining internet services will terminate on 10PM May 15th 2026https://t.co/BjIluZ2eXz pic.twitter.com/BsC2aDz0fc

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) November 26, 2024

As a means of thanking (or compensating) Tencent Nintendo Switch users before the service shutdown, all registered Nintendo Switch users could register their WeChat accounts to obtain up to 4 free digital games. pic.twitter.com/H3yTbZ2SPn

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) November 26, 2024

List of services to be unavailable after the TNS online service shutdown on May 15 2026:

🌐❌ Online Multiplayer/Friend making

🌐❌ Play digital games on non-primary console

🌐❌ Update games via internet

🌐❌ Parental Controls via WeChat

🌐❌ Share to social media

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) November 26, 2024

At the time of this writing, no official reason for the shutdown has been given. However, according to a report from the unofficial account Chinese Nintendo, it may have something to do with Tencent losing the partner that was managing the online service due to a “change in business”, and being unable to find a new one.

Chinese tech media 36Kr received exclusive information about Tencent Nintendo Switch online service shutdown:

The TNS online service was run by a long-time partner of Nintendo, but said partner would no longer be available due to their recent change in their business in China. pic.twitter.com/GJkAcMmtzF

— Chinese Nintendo (@chinesenintendo) November 26, 2024

Stay tuned for more updates as they come.

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