Crunchyroll Switch App Discontinued: What Are Your Options?

Crunchyroll is discontinuing its Nintendo Switch app, but the anime service itself is not shutting down. You can continue watching on supported devices, explore free anime content on YouTube, or consider other streaming and offline viewing options. This guide explains what still works, which workarounds have limitations, and how to keep watching after the shutdown.

Crunchyroll Nintendo Switch Shutdown: Key Dates and Details

Part 1. Is Crunchyroll Discontinued on Nintendo Switch?

Yes. Nintendo's official support page confirms that Crunchyroll service on Nintendo Switch will be discontinued on October 30, 2026, at 9:00 AM PT, and Crunchyroll has not announced a Switch 2 replacement.

After this deadline, the app will no longer connect to Crunchyroll servers. Attempting to open the application after October 30 will result in network errors or "service unavailable" messages, bringing an end to official anime streaming on Nintendo's hybrid console.

Can You Still Download Crunchyroll on Nintendo Switch?

No, you can no longer download the app.

Is Crunchyroll Available on Nintendo Switch 2?

No, Crunchyroll is not available or supported on the Nintendo Switch 2. The app may still appear on a Switch 2 after a data transfer, but it won't launch. Crunchyroll also has no announcement about a future Switch 2 version.

Part 2. What Streaming Apps Are Available on Nintendo Switch?

On the original Nintendo Switch, YouTube is now the only major video streaming app left. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ never launched on the Switch. Hulu was removed from the eShop on November 6, 2025, and its service was discontinued on February 5, 2026. Twitch left the console on January 31, 2024. With Crunchyroll ending on October 30, YouTube is what remains.

The Nintendo Switch 2 has no official video streaming apps at all. The original Switch YouTube app is also incompatible with the Switch 2, and although Google has promised a version "soon," no release date has been given.

How to Watch Crunchyroll on the Original Switch via the YouTube App

If you still want to watch anime on your original Nintendo Switch, Crunchyroll's official YouTube channel offers free anime-related videos.

To get started, download the YouTube app from the Nintendo eShop if you haven't already, then log in with your YouTube account. Search for "Crunchyroll" and open the official channel.

It doesn't replace the full Crunchyroll library, but you can find free content there, including trailers, clips, and selected videos.

If you want more than the free content, you can subscribe to Crunchyroll through YouTube Primetime Channels, which offers its anime catalog inside YouTube. This is a separate Crunchyroll membership purchased through YouTube, not your existing Crunchyroll subscription, and it can't be linked to your Crunchyroll account.

Part 3. How to Watch Crunchyroll After the Nintendo Switch Shutdown

If you don't want to pay for a separate Crunchyroll membership on YouTube, you can't keep watching on your Switch. These are your options:

Workaround 1. Use Hidden Web Browsers on Switch 1 & Switch 2 (Doesn't Work)

Many users attempt to bypass app removals by using hidden built-in web browsers on Nintendo systems. While accessing these browsers is technically possible, they cannot play Crunchyroll video streams due to missing HTML5 video codecs and DRM authorization support.

Workaround 2. Watch on Devices That Support the Crunchyroll App

Log in with the same Crunchyroll account on any supported device, such as your phone, tablet, computer, smart TV, or streaming device. Your subscription and watchlist come with you. You can stream online anywhere you have a stable connection. If you're a Fan, Mega Fan or Ultimate Fan member, you can also download episodes in the mobile app and watch them offline, much like you did on the Switch.

Workaround 3. Use VidiFab to Watch on Any Device That Does Not Support the Crunchyroll App (via MP4/MKV)

If you want to watch anime on hardware that doesn't support the Crunchyroll app, such as an older non-smart TV, a projector, or a media player, Vidifab Streaming Video Downloader can help. It saves Crunchyroll episodes as MP4 or MKV files on your computer, and you can play them offline on any device that supports those formats. Here's how:

1. 01

   Download and install Vidifab Streaming Video Downloader on your Windows PC or Mac. I scanned the installer with VirusTotal and it came back clean, so you can install it with confidence.

Free Download Secure Download
Free Download Secure Download
2. 02

   Open Vidifab, set the output format to MP4 or MKV, and choose a folder for your downloads.

3. 03

   Click the Crunchyroll tab on the home screen and log in with your Crunchyroll account. Vidifab doesn't see or save your login details, so you'll need to log in again each time you open Crunchyroll in the tool. This keeps your account safe.

4. 04

   Find the anime you want, click the download button, and choose the video, audio, and subtitle settings in the pop-up window.


5. 05

   Click Download. When it finishes, you'll find the MP4 or MKV file in the folder you chose.

6. 06

   Play the file in any media player, or copy it to another device.

Part 4. FAQs About Crunchyroll on Nintendo Switch

Conclusion

The Crunchyroll app on Nintendo Switch stops working on October 30, 2026, and Switch 2 never supported it. You can still watch anime through YouTube on the original Switch, or log in to Crunchyroll on a phone, computer, or smart TV. For devices without the app, Vidifab Streaming Video Downloader saves episodes as MP4 or MKV for offline viewing.