Digital games require internet connection

[Drago3110]

Hi everyone,

I have a problem with my Switch (oldest model, version 20.3.0) and digital purchases from the eShop in ofw.

Whenever I try to launch a purchased game, it checks whether the software can be used.

This means I can no longer launch a digital game if, for example, I'm in airplane mode. Even if the game has already started and I switch to airplane mode, a message pops up in the game telling me to deactivate airplane mode.

This wouldn't bother me too much, since I only have legally purchased items on my Switch, but I created a new emummc (but only for cheating in offline games) and, of course, I keep getting the message there now. I had no problems with it until a few weeks ago. I only noticed it today. Maybe since version 20.3.0?

What did I check?

- Online licenses are enabled in the settings (I don't use the virtual software cards)

- My Switch is set as the primary console in the eShop (I also unregistered and re-registered)

- Tried several digital games.

I really don't know what to do anymore...

Maybe one of you can help.

Thanks!!!!

 

[thesjaakspoiler]

First make sure you have the latest sigpatches.

In some cases it helps to unlink the game from your nintendo account.
In the homebrew app GoldLeaf there is an option to do that.
Maybe try it out with one game to see if that helps.

Note : do not delete your entire Nintendo account because that will not help anyway.

 

[UsernamesAreWeird]

"offline licenses" were replaced by the inferior virtual game cards

 

[urherenow]

"offline licenses" were replaced by the inferior virtual game cards

wait, what? On the Switch 1? This really sucks. According to this article I just read, You really should be able to play them with the online license option turned on...

https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-us...re-a-downgrade-as-online-game-sharing-changes

Please update the thread if you get it working. I haven't run into this problem yet, but I haven't updated to the very latest firmware yet, either. I'm going to have to a couple of weeks from now, when I decide to transfer saves and such to my Switch 2.

 

[Drago3110]

First make sure you have the latest sigpatches.

In some cases it helps to unlink the game from your nintendo account.
In the homebrew app GoldLeaf there is an option to do that.
Maybe try it out with one game to see if that helps.

Note : do not delete your entire Nintendo account because that will not help anyway.

Thanks for the answers.

I will try it later if necessary because I'd like to run as little homebrew or extra patches, etc. as possible. And up until now, everything has worked fine. And the question mainly concerned the fact that I can no longer play my games offline in the ofw.

"offline licenses" were replaced by the inferior virtual game cards

wait, what? On the Switch 1? This really sucks. According to this article I just read, You really should be able to play them with the online license option turned on...

https://www.eurogamer.net/switch-us...re-a-downgrade-as-online-game-sharing-changes

Please update the thread if you get it working. I haven't run into this problem yet, but I haven't updated to the very latest firmware yet, either. I'm going to have to a couple of weeks from now, when I decide to transfer saves and such to my Switch 2.

I have several Switches. They all have the same Nintendo Account from which I made the purchases. They all have the latest version 20.3.0 installed.

I tried deregistering my Switch 1 as the primary console and registered another console as the primary console. And I can't start games offline there either.

Maybe the offline licenses really aren't available anymore?

I called Nintendo Support today and explained the situation.

The customer service said on the phone that it should still work with offline licenses. And it should work for me, too. He's now forwarding my case internally and will get back to me via email...

Post automatically merged: Aug 19, 2025

The response from support...



It looks like the offline licenses actually don't work anymore.

If the virtual game cards aren't used, a permanent online connection must be maintained...

Then I'll need the sigpatches after all.

First make sure you have the latest sigpatches.

In some cases it helps to unlink the game from your nintendo account.
In the homebrew app GoldLeaf there is an option to do that.
Maybe try it out with one game to see if that helps.

Note : do not delete your entire Nintendo account because that will not help anyway.

Sigpatches are the latest now.
Unlinking my account locally didn't help...