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.

Hello ! I'm Aymeric, an independent advisor, and I'm here to help !

To play Minecraft with players on Xbox and PlayStation while you're on a Nintendo Switch, make sure all players are using the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft, which supports cross-platform play across these consoles.

Older editions of Minecraft on console will not work.

Sign in with a Microsoft account on your Nintendo Switch, and add your friends using their Xbox Gamertags,

Make sure everyone have the mandatory online subscriptions (Nintendo Switch Online, Xbox Game Pass Core, PlayStation Plus) for online multiplayer. Otherwise, online multiplayer will not work.

Once done, select “Play” and you'll see your friends in the “Friends” tab. You can join them in their world, or even create a Realm to play together.

Please let me know if you have any other question !

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)?