There has been some confusion about the cloud save backups that Nintendo enables and offers as part of the Nintendo Switch Online service, even though the service went live last week. Specifically, there has been confusion about what happens to the saves once you let your subscription lapse. However, in statement to IGN, Nintendo has clarified the point once and for all.
Once your subscription lapses, Nintendo holds on to your saves for a period of six months. You cannot access these saves without a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, but as long as you resubscribe within six months, you will find your data secure. This is not dissimilar to how Sony handles PlayStation Plus cloud backups for save files, and is far better than Nintendo’s previous implication that the saves could be deleted without notice upon a subscription lapsing.
“If a Nintendo Switch Online membership expires, users won’t be able to access their Save Data Cloud backups. However, Nintendo will allow users who resubscribe within 180 days to access their previous Save Data Cloud backups,” the Nintendo spokesperson said.
So, on this point, I have no complaints with Nintendo anymore. Good on them for responding to the outcry. Now, next, if they would only let me backup my saves locally via the micro SD card, it would be great…