If you're one of the few people who still make regular use of the Switch Online smartphone app, you might be interested to hear Nintendo recently rolled out a new update for it.
Admittedly, though, it doesn't do much. This time around it's a simple fix for an issue that made it impossible to sign in on certain devices:
Version 1.5.3
Fixed an issue that made it impossible to sign in from some devices.
Believe it or not, but this is the first update for this app since August last year. The previous update was just as minor, fixing some bugs and adding voice chat support to Android 9 devices.
Have you still got this app installed on your smartphone? Tell us below.
[source perfectly-nintendo.com]
Comments 41
...Oh yeah, that thing still exists, huh?
I got a new phone and never re-installed it, no reason to.
Oh true, I haven’t installed it on my new phone either. I honestly forgot.
(generic, obnoxious New york city guy accent, with a proper crotch grab)
Ayy! Yo! I gotchya minor update right here!
(joke over)
I used it regularly for Splatoon up until November. I finally plateau'd, and only play weekly, lately.
This is ridicules, at this point Nintendo should know that no one is using the app, like are on denial or they just don't want to admit that they put their foot in their mouth
This app could have been something real special if they just managed to utilize it better.
I honestly used the app quite a bit before the Splatfests ended. Now I don't even have it installed. It's like Nintendo only half supports it. I'd use it more if it had more features. Maybe when Animal Crossing launches...
@Desrever Exactly
Anyone figure out what it does yet?
I was hoping they'd finally make it more stable!
"made it impossible to sign in from some devices."
Lucky people.
Nintendo should be embarrassed this app even exists.
Is the update for android? Can’t see it on iOS.
I honestly thought Nintendo got rid of this app a long time ago.
Does it mean I can see my Astral Chain spirits yet? It doesn't? Then whats the point?
Oh! Forgot I had this app. Never used it. Let me delete it
I still use it, but only to find out when Rainmaker and Tower Control is in rotation on Splatoon 2. Thats it. It literally has 1 good function, it really could’ve been way more
I've got it installed, but never use it. I keep it in the hope that Nintendo will turn it into something that I view regularly, like the Playstation app.
Wait - are you telling me that there actually are people who use this app?
I want to point out that I don't think the idea of a mobile app for this purpose is bad - in fact, I think it's a good idea! But Nintendo actually managed to miss almost every important feature I think the app should have:
Direct messaging that does not require phone numbers or social media accounts,
Chat for all games and even between games,
A party up system for chat,
Invites that show up on the phone and the console,
A friend's list on the app with up to date online/offline info,
An activity log,
An eshop front with the ability to buy games and have your Switch start downloading on its own even when you are away from the console,
and all these features limitable by the parental controls app.
I don't have any Friends so don't have any use for the app
So that was what all the maintenance was for this month.
Shhhhhh they might hear you
Funny how Nintendo keeps this running Joke alive
What a load of! I really hope more games use the native chat option. Actually which ones do?
Its just a shame on Nintendo having this useless app
Can someone tell me if all the maintenance this month was for the switch online ap update?
Does anyone still use this app?
I gave it a shot when it launched and have changed phones twice and forgot it was even a thing until I saw this headline
Oh no! I don't have a smart phone. I must be missing out on so much fun!
Still waiting for Super Mario Maker Bookmark 2. Thought that was a no-brainer for the app after Smash let you bookmark custom stages.
Other than checking the stages and ranked mode for Splatoon 2, this app serves no purpose for my family. I'm glad that it's out there, but it could be so much more.
Do people use this app? For what?
the interactivity between the app and certain games could have been so dope
from BOTW and Odyssey to Mario Kart, Smash, Mario Party and Mario Maker alone i can imagine all the possibilities..
Not bothered downloading as it didn’t have any features I’d use and by the look on things it still doesn’t, I was expecting something like the Xbox or PlayStation app where you see friends online, what games they’re playing and how long they’ve played the game but I guess that’s asking too much
I have no idea what were the supposed benefits of an added app. On Xbox I could sign in to my live account from a computer and or phone and message people as well. Am I missing what could possibly be better with an app. Rather no native voice chat, messaging and friends game invites are all significant negatives.
An app on a phone that lets you communicate through voice chat with other people. I really hope they keep supporting this ground-breaking tech. Otherwise I will have to find some other way of communicating with friends on my phone
@WesEds That's the biggest joke with this app. The Xbox, PS, and Steam apps have so much more functionality, letting you see your friends, send messages, browse and buy content, check and edit your profile and stats. They are fully fleshed out and useful apps, and they are free. You don't have to be a premium sub to use them.
I had my entire gaming group ready to swap from xbox to switch this gen, and the online features just killed it. Religating the Switch to being a side system again.
I do feel like Nintendo have a second chance this year. If they can release a Switch pro with a fully fleshed out online service by August, then I'd be content on the platform for the next 5 years, easy.
@Richnj as I work away Monday to Friday and have very little time on the weekend I’ve made my switch my primary system.
Sold my Xbox to get a few games and the PlayStation is mainly for when I have friends around or the occasional exclusive.
What is the point of using it?
Not worth writing an article for...
@whizzkidd For those who dislike using all other methods of chatting, which is probably like less than 1% of the Switch community.
@shani
Always expect Nintendo Life to do this stuff.
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