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How to Increase Storage on Your Nintendo Switch Lite: A Comprehensive Guide

So, your Nintendo Switch Lite is starting to groan under the weight of all those awesome games? Fear not, fellow gamer! The answer to expanding your on-the-go gaming library is simple: using a microSD card. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about boosting your Switch Lite’s storage capacity, from choosing the right card to installing it properly and answering all the common questions along the way.

Choosing the Right microSD Card for Your Switch Lite

While the Switch Lite has 32 GB of internal storage, a chunk of that is reserved for the system itself, leaving you with roughly 29 GB for games, screenshots, and other data. Depending on the games you play, that space can fill up pretty quickly. Luckily, Nintendo has made expanding your storage a breeze.

Understanding microSD Card Types and Capacities

The Nintendo Switch Lite is compatible with three types of microSD cards:

microSD (up to 2GB): These are the oldest and smallest type, and generally not recommended as they offer very limited storage.
microSDHC (up to 32GB): A step up, but still likely too small for modern gaming needs, especially if you primarily download games.
microSDXC (64GB to 2TB): This is your best bet. They offer the largest storage capacities and are readily available.

While the Nintendo Switch Lite supports microSDXC cards up to 2TB, it’s important to note that 2TB cards are still relatively rare and expensive. A 1TB card is currently the most practical and readily available option.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Card

Storage Capacity: Consider how many games you plan to download and the size of those games. Titles like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom can take up a significant amount of space (around 18GB), while smaller indie games might only be a few hundred megabytes.
Speed Class: Look for cards with a UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) speed class and a U3 speed rating. This ensures fast data transfer speeds, which is important for loading games and installing updates quickly.
Brand Reputation: Stick to reputable brands like SanDisk and Samsung to ensure reliability and performance. The SanDisk microSDXC card for Nintendo Switch is officially licensed and a great choice.
Price: microSD card prices vary depending on the capacity and speed. Shop around to find the best deal, but don’t sacrifice quality for a slightly cheaper option.

Recommended microSD Cards for Switch Lite

SanDisk 1TB microSDXC UHS-I for Nintendo Switch: A solid, officially licensed choice offering ample storage.
SanDisk 256GB microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card for Nintendo Switch: A good balance of price and capacity for most users.
Samsung EVO Plus 512GB microSDXC UHS-I Memory Card: Another reliable option with fast transfer speeds.

Installing the microSD Card in Your Switch Lite

The installation process is simple and straightforward:

Power Off Your Switch Lite: Ensure the console is completely powered off before inserting or removing a microSD card.
Locate the microSD Card Slot: On the back of the Switch Lite, you’ll find the microSD card slot underneath the kickstand.
Insert the microSD Card: Gently insert the microSD card into the slot with the metal pins facing down. You should feel a click when it’s properly inserted.
Power On Your Switch Lite: Turn the console back on.
Format the microSD Card (If Necessary): In most cases, the Switch Lite will automatically detect the new card. If it doesn’t, or if you’re using a card previously used on another device, you may need to format it. Go to System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Format microSD Card. Warning: Formatting will erase all data on the card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about increasing storage on your Nintendo Switch Lite:

1. Can I add storage to Switch Lite?

Yes, you can easily add storage to your Switch Lite using a microSD card. The Switch Lite has a microSD card slot specifically for this purpose.

2. Will any microSD card work with Switch?

The Switch Lite is compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. However, it’s best to use a microSDXC card for larger storage capacity. The Switch Lite supports up to 2TB, but 1TB cards are the most readily available.

3. How do I increase SD card storage Switch?

The only way to “increase” the storage of your existing SD card is to replace it with a larger capacity card. You can’t magically add more storage to a physical card.

4. What is the largest microSD card for Switch Lite?

Theoretically, the largest microSD card the Switch Lite can support is 2TB. However, 2TB cards are currently expensive and not widely available. 1TB cards are the practical maximum at the moment.

5. How big of SD card can you put in Switch Lite?

You can put a microSD card up to 2TB in your Switch Lite, but a 1TB card is the more common and affordable option.

6. Why won’t my Switch Lite read my SD card?

There are a few reasons why your Switch Lite might not be reading your SD card:

Incompatibility: Ensure you’re using a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card. Regular SD cards and mini SD cards won’t work.
Incorrect Formatting: If you’re using an SDXC-type card, make sure you’ve performed a system update after inserting it.
Damaged Card: The card might be physically damaged. Try using a different card to see if that resolves the issue.
Dirty Contacts: The contacts on the card or in the Switch Lite’s slot might be dirty. Gently clean them with a dry cloth.
Card Needs Formatting: The Switch may ask to format the card. Be sure to back up any data from the card to your computer before formatting.

7. Can you buy extra storage for Nintendo Switch?

Yes, you can buy extra storage for your Nintendo Switch (including the Lite version) in the form of a microSD card.

8. Does adding an SD card increase storage?

Yes, adding a microSD card increases the available storage space on your Nintendo Switch Lite, allowing you to download more games, store more screenshots, and save more game data.

9. How much storage does a Switch Lite need?

The amount of storage you need depends on your gaming habits. If you primarily buy physical game cartridges, you might be fine with the internal 32GB. However, if you download most of your games, a 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or even a 1TB card is highly recommended.

10. How many games can you store on a Switch Lite?

This depends on the size of the games. The internal memory (about 29GB usable) can hold roughly 5 average-sized games. A 128GB card can hold around 15-18 games, while a larger card can hold significantly more.

11. Can you use a 256GB SD card in a Switch Lite?

Yes, you can absolutely use a 256GB SD card in a Switch Lite. It’s a great option that provides ample storage for most users.

12. Is 128GB SD card enough for Switch Lite?

128GB is a good starting point for most Switch Lite users, especially if you plan to download a moderate number of games. However, if you intend to go fully digital, consider a larger capacity card.

13. How much storage does Tears of the Kingdom take?

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom requires 18.2GB of storage space, which is significant for a Switch game.

14. Can you play Switch Lite without SD card?

Yes, you can play Switch Lite without an SD card, but only if you primarily play games using physical cartridges. If you download games from the eShop, you’ll need an SD card for additional storage.

15. Can I use my old SD card on my new switch?

Yes, but when you move your SD card to a new switch, you have no choice but to format it for it as it’s been setup for your old switch. You’ll be able to keep all the screenshots and videos on it but you’ll have to re-download all your games.

Transferring Data to Your New microSD Card

If you’re upgrading to a larger microSD card, you’ll likely want to transfer your existing game data, screenshots, and videos. Here’s how:

Power off your Switch Lite.
Remove the old microSD card.
Insert the old microSD card into a computer using a microSD card reader.
Copy all the files and folders from the old card to your computer. Make sure you copy everything, including hidden files and folders.
Remove the old card from your computer and insert the new microSD card.
Copy all the files and folders from your computer to the new card.
Insert the new microSD card into your Switch Lite.
Power on your Switch Lite.

Final Thoughts

Adding a microSD card to your Nintendo Switch Lite is a simple and effective way to expand your gaming library and enjoy more of your favorite titles on the go. By choosing the right card and following these instructions, you can ensure a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience. Remember that games can be both entertaining and educational, and you can learn more about the science of learning behind games at the Games Learning Society, visit GamesLearningSociety.org for more information. Happy gaming!

How do I increase storage on Switch Lite?