Apex Legends on Original Nintendo Switch Shuts Down — How to Move Your Progress to Switch 2

Apex Legends Nintendo Switch Shutdown: What to do before August 4, 2026

This caught my attention because the Switch port has been a lifeline for handheld Apex players since 2021, even as performance compromises were obvious. Respawn and EA just confirmed Season 29 will be the last update for the original Nintendo Switch, and starting August 4, 2026 (Season 30) the OG Switch build will be unplayable. If you care about your cosmetics, battle pass progress, Apex Coins, or ranked ladder, now is the time to act.

Key takeaways

• August 4, 2026 is the shutdown date for Apex Legends on the original Nintendo Switch; Season 29 is the final update.
• Cross-progression tied to your EA account transfers cosmetics, battle pass progress, and Apex Coins to Nintendo Switch 2 automatically when you log in there.
• Some currency/platform caveats apply – eShop purchases can be region-restricted; Apex Coins won’t port to non-Nintendo platforms.
• If you can’t move to Switch 2, spend Switch Apex Coins on cosmetics before the shutdown and migrate your EA account to PC/console for progression.

{{INFO_TABLE_START}}
Publisher|Respawn Entertainment / EA
Release Date|January 30, 2026 (announcement)
Category|Live-service shutdown / platform migration
Platform|Nintendo Switch (OG) → Switch 2
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Official summary – what Respawn/EA confirmed

On January 30, 2026 Respawn and EA announced that Season 29 will be the final update for Apex on the original Switch. The company says the move is necessary to “evolve Apex Legends’ content and technical foundation” and that future seasons will be available on Nintendo Switch 2. The shutdown is complete: matchmaking, servers and online play on OG Switch stop on August 4, 2026. There’s no offline mode – the client will simply stop working after that date.

Quick, practical transfer checklist (do these now)

• Link your in-game account to an EA account immediately (Settings → Account → Linked Accounts). This is the single most important step.
• Play a quick match on Season 29 to force a final sync of stats and progression.
• Decide what to do with Apex Coins. They transfer to Switch 2 but don’t carry to PC/PlayStation/Xbox — if you plan to move platforms, spend them first on Switch-specific cosmetics.
• When you have a Switch 2, download Apex and log in with the same Nintendo and EA credentials; cosmetics, coins and progress should appear instantly.

Common pitfalls: unlinked EA accounts (prevents transfer), mismatched eShop regions (can block coin movement), and the possibility of short server sync delays after the switch. If something goes wrong, EA Help is the escalation route — but don’t wait until the final week.

Why Switch 2 matters — and what you’ll actually gain

Switch 2 hardware removes a lot of the compromises that made the OG Switch port a mixed bag: higher sustained frame rates, better load times, and more stable large-player lobbies. Expect far better handheld performance and parity with other consoles’ visuals. For competitive players this means smoother aiming, less input lag, and more reliable ranked toggles. For casual players it just makes the game enjoyable instead of frustrating.

If you can’t or won’t buy Switch 2 — alternatives

• PC (Steam/EA App) — best competitive experience (mouse/keyboard, high FPS). Progress transfers via EA account, but Switch-purchased Apex Coins do not carry to PC.
• PlayStation / Xbox — smooth high-FPS play; again, Apex Coins purchased on Switch won’t move here, so spend them first.
• Stay on OG Switch until August 4 to finish seasonal goals, then choose your migration path.

What to prioritize in the next 6 months

• Link EA account and verify email. Do it now.
• Finish any battle pass tiers, heirloom grinds, or store bundles you care about. Rare cosmetics are easiest to preserve by purchasing them before shutdown.
• Watch Season 29 events closely — expect limited-time Switch-focused bundles and a final push of Switch-optimized content.
• If you plan to migrate platforms later, document your account IDs and take screenshots of inventories as a backup.

TL;DR — what matters most

Respawn is ending Apex on the original Switch on August 4, 2026. Your cosmetics, Apex Coins and progress will move to Nintendo Switch 2 automatically if your account is linked to EA — but Apex Coins bought on Switch won’t port to non-Nintendo platforms. Link your EA account now, spend or preserve coins intentionally, and plan your upgrade or platform move before the shutdown.

As someone who’s watched the Switch port’s ups and downs, this feels inevitable and mostly positive: better tech means a better Apex. The important part: don’t let six months pass without linking your EA account and making explicit decisions about your coins and cosmetics.