Apex Legends to end support for original Nintendo Switch in August 2026
Apex Legends will end support for the original Nintendo Switch in August 2026, with progress carrying over to Switch 2 and other platforms.
Respawn Entertainment has confirmed that Apex Legends will no longer be playable on the original Nintendo Switch after the release of its next major season cycle. The studio said support for the console will end this summer, with Season 29 marking the final update for Switch players. From Season 30 onwards, the game will only be supported on newer hardware and other existing platforms.
Hey legends, we want to share an important update about Apex Legends on the Nintendo Switch.
— Apex Legends (@PlayApex) January 30, 2026
Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch. Future seasons of Apex Legends will continue to be available on Nintendo Switch 2.
– Starting August 4, 2026…
The announcement was made through an official post on X, where the development team stated: “Season 29 will be the final update for Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch.” This decision means that players using the original Switch model will no longer be able to access new content, updates, or ongoing online play once the change takes effect.
Respawn confirmed that the transition will officially occur on 4 August 2026. Until that date, Apex Legends will remain playable on the original Switch, giving players several months to continue playing and decide whether to move to another supported platform. After this point, the game will continue to operate on Nintendo Switch 2, alongside platforms such as PlayStation, Xbox and PC.
The studio has not cited a single reason for ending support, but the decision follows ongoing challenges related to performance and hardware limitations on the original Switch. As the game has evolved with more complex mechanics, larger maps and frequent updates, maintaining parity across older hardware has become increasingly difficult.
Player progress and purchases will carry over
Respawn has sought to reassure players that ending support for the original Switch will not result in the loss of in-game content or purchases. According to the developer, all progress and digital items are linked directly to players’ EA accounts rather than to a specific console.
“All players’ progress, purchases, and earnings are tied to their individual EA accounts,” Respawn said. “Everything that has been earned or purchased, including Apex Coins and cosmetics, will carry over to Nintendo Switch 2, even if you purchase Nintendo Switch 2 after 4 August 2026.”
This means that players who choose to upgrade to the Nintendo Switch 2 at a later date will still be able to access their full Apex Legends inventory, provided they use the same EA account. The same applies to those who decide to move to another supported platform, offering flexibility for players affected by the change.
While cross-progression has been a key feature for Apex Legends in recent years, the announcement still places pressure on players who may not have planned to invest in new hardware. For some, the cost of upgrading or switching platforms may be a barrier, even with assurances that their digital content will remain intact.
Respawn has not announced any specific incentives or support programmes for players impacted by the decision. However, the extended notice period suggests the company is aiming to give users enough time to plan their next steps without sudden disruption.
A shift reflecting hardware limitations and future focus
The move to end support for the original Nintendo Switch reflects broader trends in the games industry, where older hardware is increasingly left behind as live service titles continue to expand. Apex Legends has grown significantly since its launch, with frequent seasonal updates introducing new characters, weapons and gameplay systems.
Apex Legends was first released in 2019 on PlayStation, Xbox and PC, before arriving on the Nintendo Switch in 2021. While the Switch version made the game accessible to a wider audience, it was often criticised for lower frame rates, reduced visual quality and longer load times compared with other platforms.
The Nintendo Switch 2, which offers more powerful hardware, is expected to deliver a smoother experience better aligned with the game’s current technical demands. From Respawn’s perspective, focusing development resources on platforms capable of supporting future updates may allow for more consistent performance and faster innovation.
Despite this, the announcement is likely to disappoint players who have continued to use the original Switch and had no immediate plans to upgrade. For these users, the end of support represents not just a technical change but the loss of a familiar way to access the game.
Respawn has not indicated whether other older platforms could face similar decisions in the future. For now, the studio has reiterated its commitment to supporting Apex Legends across its remaining platforms, with Season 30 expected to usher in the next phase of the game’s ongoing development.
