How to use a VPN on Nintendo switch (for my dutch and Belgium friends)

Hello everyone! lets cut right to the point. I’ve spent the last few days figuring out how to get a VPN to work on switch.

So, for anyone that’s seing this, I’m from the Netherlands and have spent the past few days trying to figure out a way to continue playing on switch, even when/if it shuts down OR just to buy gems after october.

So basically you can use a VPN hotspot from your laptop/PC (And I assume phone as well).

BEFORE FOLLOWING THIS TUTORIAL PLEASE READ:

this method will allow you to start up Unite, see all the lootbox stuff and most likely lets you buy gems. BUT, switches don’t support all channels on 5gh internet, so actually playing matches will make controller inputs lag behind a little. There might be a solution to this which I have currently not figured out yet, but please comment if you have anything to add that helps!

TUTORIAL:

1. First you need to get a VPN. I personally have SurfShark which works fine.

2. Follow this small tutorial how to get SurfShark (and most likely any VPN) set-up with the mobile hotspot on PC (easier then me explaining it as it has clear images and text of what to do step by step).

!! PLEASE SEE STEP 3 ONCE YOU GET TO THE “Configure the VPN adapter” STEP IN THE TUTORIAL BELOW IF YOU ARE USING WIRELESS WIFI !!
https://support.surfshark.com/hc/en-us/articles/360013717719-How-to-set-up-a-VPN-protected-Wi-Fi-hotspot-using-Windows#h_ac6394a7-680f-4565-b616-b3972e33c08f

3. if you use wireless wifi choose the “surfshark shared wireguard Tunnel” instead of the “channel offload for surfshark” and continue the tutorial from the link. (if confused: Pick the one with the word “surfshark” in it that doesn’t have a red X in the icon)

4. turn on the VPN with the location with the best ping. (for me this was Germany)

5. If you can’t find the hotspot on your switch on 5gh (which was the issue for me), change it to 2.4gh and try again. Once it works, connect to the network on your switch and start Unite! It’s not 100% smooth and without issues but it’s a good start for now. (to change it go to: network&internet → mobile hotspot → properties → edit → network band.)

I hope this helps! let me know if you run into any issues!

(I had an issue where if I activated the mobile hotspot on my laptop, my laptop started lagging every few seconds. This is a completely different issue from anything that this tutorial was for, but please let me know if you run into the same issue. I was able to fix it, It’s just a little more complicated.

You guys had a chance to be freeeeeeeeee >_>

It doesn’t work for me. Did you remove the game first? Because I just open my Pokemon Unite-app (iPhone and Switch) and the in-game purchases are still restricted. I’m afraid that I can’t redownload the app.

To be fair… On this moment if I have to go down I rather would take Pokémon Unite as a whole down with me.

Too bad I’m only one person. I can’t understand how Pokémon Unite can get away with more and more gatcha mechanics. And also the mobile video game industry as a whole.

If micro-transactions aren’t enough anymore to keep a freenium game profitable and you need gambling in your game…

A lot of governments/countries are talking about it, but only a few also actually take decent actions against those practices.

Or did you change your Nintendo Account/Switch into a German-account?

I would be willing to flat out pay 79.99 for a GOOD Pokémon moba but these predatory companies just keep running what could potentially be such a good thing. It’s gross and I’ve already unistalled the game.

Currently having SurfShark installed on my iPhone. Using that as a hotspot. I’ve seen before that people who removed Pokemon Unite from the Nintendo Store/Switch were unable to re-download it. Not taking that risk at the moment. So I am patiently waiting for a reply. Feel free to DM me anyway (I’m Dutch)

I’ve redownloaded Pokemon United on my iPad. When trying to download, it automatically gave my German reviews in the App Store. So things are changing! Didn’t wanna take any risks, so I created another account. But still restrictions in the for in game purchases. I think it’s because my device is linked to my Apple ID (Dutch). So the best shot would be by changing something on my Switch. For now it’s a temporary use for buying Battle Pass/skins.
Hopefully you will have the ‘key-answer’ u/TrialLegend