Final Fantasy XIV’s Switch 2 Free Subscription Period Ends September 7

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Square Enix is ending the free subscription period for the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Final Fantasy XIV on September 7 at 11:59 p.m. in each region. Starting September 8, players who registered the Starter Edition or Complete Edition will begin their included 30-day free play period.

After that 30 days is up, Switch 2 players will need an active subscription to keep playing the full game. The Free Trial is not changing, so players using that version can continue without paying.

The Switch 2 version has its own subscription, even if you already pay for Final Fantasy XIV on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox. There is one break for multi-platform players: anyone with an active subscription on another platform can buy the Switch 2 subscription at half price. That discount won’t apply while another platform’s 30-day free play period is still active.

Payments on Switch 2 will use FFXIV Coins, which are bought through the Nintendo eShop. Those coins can then be used on Mog Station for subscription fees and account services, or on the Final Fantasy XIV Online Store for optional items. Subscription setup and other paid account services for Switch 2 open on September 8 at 3:00 a.m. PDT.

There’s also a launcher issue to watch for. Right now, selecting “Buy FFXIV Coins” in the launcher may not send players to the eShop properly. Square Enix says this should be fixed with Patch 7.56 on September 8. Until then, players can buy coins from the Switch 2 HOME menu by pressing the + button on Final Fantasy XIV, then going through Software Information, Nintendo eShop, and In-Game Items.

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required to play Final Fantasy XIV Online. Players who do have Switch Online get one extra aetheryte registered as a free destination, but only while playing on the Switch 2 version.

Square Enix also notes that linking is permanent: once a Nintendo Switch 2 user profile is tied to a Square Enix account, it can’t be unlinked or moved to another account. Existing players should make sure they select their current service account if they want to keep using the same characters.

Further reading: Official Final Fantasy XIV Lodestone