Minecraft Bedrock Edition on Switch won't let me play online

We are both using Nintendo switch but we are playing Minecraft. Not console edition. Bedrock edition if you will.

Hi there Raul, my name is Gerardo, and I'm an Xbox player. I'll be happy to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have.

It's important to note that if your friends are playing Minecraft on an Xbox console and on a Nintendo Switch, they are playing Minecraft Bedrock Edition. If you're trying to join their Realm while playing Minecraft Java Edition, you won't be able to do so because they are different versions of the game.

Are you sure you're attempting to join from Minecraft Bedrock Edition (named Minecraft for Windows in the Minecraft Launcher) and not Minecraft Java Edition?

I'll be looking forward to your reply.

Kind regards,
Gerardo.

Java Edition you won't be able to purchase from Xbox. You will need to purchase it from Minecraft .net

If you mean the Bedrock Edition that is crossplay enabled between Windows 10, Xbox One, mobile and Nintendo Switch you will need to purchase the game for each platform.

Minecraft Bedrock Edition for Xbox One is available on Gamepass.

Have you an active Nintendo Switch Online Subscription? I ask this because I found the following Q/A on Minecraft Nintendo Switch FAQ:

Can I play Realms on this edition?

Yes, Realms is available on the Bedrock edition of Minecraft for Nintendo Switch. To play online on a Nintendo Switch, you need to have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so this is a requirement for playing on Realms. More information about Nintendo Switch Online can be found here.

Furthermore, can you post the entire error message (better a screenshot/photo)?

Please ensure cross-platform play between Nintendo Switch and PS4 players, all players involved need to be using the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft and have Microsoft accounts. If your friends on PS4 are still using the PlayStation 4 Edition, they won't be able to join you, and you won't be able to join them. Unfortunately, there is no direct fix for this, as the cross-platform play limitations are determined by the game's edition and the platform.

As of September 2021, Sony had relaxed its stance on cross-platform play, so it's possible that Minecraft's Bedrock Edition might have become available for PS4 by now. If this is the case, make sure your friends on PS4 have updated to the Bedrock Edition, and they should be able to join your game using their Microsoft accounts.