How to Move Games to an SD Card on Your Nintendo Switch
So, you’re running out of space on your Nintendo Switch? Don’t panic! Moving your games to an SD card is a straightforward process, and it’s the best way to expand your storage and keep playing all your favorite titles. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t directly “move” games in the same way you might on an Android phone. Instead, you’ll be using the “Archive” and redownload method. Here’s how:
- Archive the Game: Navigate to System Settings from the HOME Menu.
- Select Data Management.
- Choose the game you want to move.
- Select Archive Software. This will remove the game data from your console’s internal storage but keep your save data intact.
- Redownload the Game: Go to the Nintendo eShop.
- Find the game you archived in your purchase history or by searching for it.
- Download the game. If you have a microSD card inserted, the game will automatically download to it.
That’s it! The game is now stored on your SD card, freeing up space on your internal storage. Remember, save data is always stored on the console itself, not on the SD card or game cartridge.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Nintendo Switch Storage
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further help you understand how storage works on your Nintendo Switch, and how to manage your games efficiently.
1. Can I play Switch games directly from the SD card?
Absolutely! Once a game is downloaded to your SD card, you can play it directly from there. There’s no need to transfer it back to the system memory.
2. What happens to my save data when I move a game to the SD card?
Your save data remains safe. Save data is always stored on the console’s internal memory, regardless of where the game itself is stored (internal storage, game card, or SD card).
3. Do Switch games automatically download to the SD card?
If you have an SD card inserted and enough space, new downloads will automatically default to the SD card. However, you can’t choose where a game will download before you click the button. So, if you need a particular game to go to the internal storage, you may need to eject your SD card and then install it.
4. Is there a faster way to transfer Switch games to a Micro SD card?
Unfortunately, the archive and redownload method is the standard and fastest way provided by Nintendo. There are no officially supported shortcuts to directly transfer the entire game file.
5. How do I know if a game is on my SD card or internal storage?
Go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Software. This screen will show you which games are stored where. There’s often an SD card icon next to games stored on the SD card.
6. Can I move apps to an SD card on the Nintendo Switch like on an Android phone?
No, the Nintendo Switch doesn’t function the same way as an Android phone. The “Archive” and redownload method is used for managing games on the Nintendo Switch.
7. What type of SD cards are compatible with the Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch supports the following microSD card types:
- microSD (up to 2 GB)
- microSDHC (4 GB – 32 GB)
- microSDXC (64 GB – 2 TB)
Important: You’ll need a system update to use microSDXC cards.
8. Do Switch games run better on internal storage or SD card?
Generally, games run slightly faster on internal storage due to faster read/write speeds. However, the difference is often negligible, especially with a high-quality SD card. If you have limited internal storage, the convenience of having more games outweighs the minor performance difference.
9. How do I download games directly to my SD card on the Switch?
As long as an SD card is inserted and has available space, the Switch will automatically download new games directly to it.
10. Do Switch games run slower on an SD card compared to a game cartridge?
Game cartridges generally load faster than games played from an SD card. An older or slower SD card can significantly impact loading times.
11. What is the maximum SD card size that the Nintendo Switch supports?
The Nintendo Switch supports microSD cards up to 2TB. While 2TB cards are not widely available yet, 1TB cards work perfectly well.
12. Why should I use an SD card for my Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch has limited internal storage. If you download a lot of games or plan to, an SD card is essential for expanding your storage capacity.
13. Can I use the same SD card on two different Nintendo Switch consoles?
No, you can’t. If you insert an SD card used in one Switch into another, the second Switch will prompt you to format the card, which will erase all data on it. The only files transferable between Switch consoles via SD card are screenshots and videos. Consider exploring the resources offered by the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/ for more insights on gaming tech.
14. What do I do if my Switch is full?
You have a few options:
- Archive games you don’t play frequently.
- Delete games you no longer want (you can always redownload them later).
- Invest in a larger SD card.
15. Why can’t I move other files, like screenshots, to my SD card?
The process for moving screenshots is slightly different. Go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Manage Screenshots and Videos. From there, you can copy screenshots and videos to your SD card.
Expanding your Nintendo Switch storage with an SD card is a simple and effective way to ensure you can enjoy all your favorite games without worrying about running out of space. By understanding how archiving and storage work, you can manage your game library with ease.
Micro SD cards are extremely useful for Nintendo Switch. They allow a larger library of games that you can take with you on the go.