Transferring Your Nintendo Switch Games: A Comprehensive Guide
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So, you’ve upgraded to a shiny new Nintendo Switch, or perhaps you’re gifting your old one to a friend or family member. The burning question is: How do I transfer my games between two Switches? The good news is, Nintendo has made the process relatively straightforward. This guide will walk you through the different methods, covering everything from transferring your entire user profile and save data to managing digital games and Animal Crossing islands.
Transferring Your User Profile and Save Data
The most complete method involves transferring your entire user profile, including all save data associated with that profile. Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Prepare Both Consoles: Ensure both your original and new Nintendo Switch consoles are connected to the internet and updated to the latest system software. Also, have both consoles physically near each other, as this method requires them to communicate directly.
- Initiate the Transfer on the Original Switch: On your original Switch, go to System Settings > Users > Transfer Your User and Save Data.
- Begin the Transfer on the New Switch: Repeat the process on your new Switch, following the same path: System Settings > Users > Transfer Your User and Save Data.
- Select the Transfer Type: On both consoles, select Next a couple of times until you reach the screen asking which console is the source and which is the target.
- Identify the Source and Target Consoles: On your original Switch, select Source Console. On your new Switch, select Target Console.
- Sign In: On the new Switch, sign in to your Nintendo Account.
- Confirm the Transfer: On the original Switch, select Continue after the new Switch has signed in. The transfer process will then begin.
- Wait for Completion: The transfer process may take some time, depending on the amount of data being transferred. Ensure both consoles remain powered on and connected to the internet throughout the process.
- Verification: Once the transfer is complete, verify that all your user data, games, and save files are present on the new Switch.
Important Considerations:
- Save Data Deletion: Be aware that during this process, your save data will be deleted from the source console.
- Internet Connection: A stable internet connection is crucial for a successful transfer.
- Nintendo Account: You must have a Nintendo Account linked to your user profile to perform this transfer.
Managing Digital Games
Digital games are linked to your Nintendo Account, not directly to the console. This makes redownloading them on a new Switch relatively easy:
- Link Your Account: On your new Switch, link your existing Nintendo Account to a new or existing user profile.
- Access the eShop: Open the Nintendo eShop using the user profile linked to your Nintendo Account.
- Redownload Games: Navigate to your Account Information (usually accessible via your profile icon in the top-right corner) and find the Redownload section. Here, you’ll find a list of all digital games purchased with your account.
- Download Your Games: Select the games you want to download and begin the download process.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons Transfers
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a unique transfer process due to its island save data. There are two main scenarios: transferring your island with your user profile or transferring just your individual resident.
Island Transfer
To transfer your entire island to a new Switch, use the Island Transfer Tool. This requires both consoles:
- Download the Island Transfer Tool: Download the free Island Transfer Tool from the Nintendo eShop on both consoles.
- Initiate the Transfer: Launch the tool on both consoles and follow the on-screen instructions. The tool will guide you through the process of transferring your entire island to the new Switch.
Resident Transfer
If you only want to move your individual resident to a new island on a different Switch, follow these steps:
- Launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons: On your original Switch, launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons using the account you want to transfer
- Access the Transfer Option: On the title screen, press the ‘-‘ button to access the settings menu. Select “Move to a new island.”
- Follow the On-Screen Instructions: Complete the steps by following the on-screen instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the game transfer process:
1. Can I transfer games between Switch accounts?
No, digital game purchases and code redemptions are final and cannot be transferred to a different Nintendo Account. Make sure you are logged into the correct Nintendo Account when making purchases. The game is not limited to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase, but save data may be limited.
2. Will I lose my game progress if I get a new Switch?
Caution: Your save data will be deleted on the source console when transfering the user. Save data is stored on the console. In order to play games with your latest save data on multiple systems, you’ll need to transfer the save data each time you use a different console. Use Cloud Saves with Nintendo Online to avoid this!
3. Can I move my SD card from one Switch to another?
Software downloaded to a microSD card on one system will not be playable on a different system. Do not swap data between multiple microSD cards, or swap your microSD card between multiple systems.
4. How do I transfer everything from one SD card to another?
It can be done by formatting the new SD card, then inserting both cards simultaneously into your computer to manually copy and paste the data, or using third-party SD card cloning software to migrate the data from one SD card to another without any data loss.
5. Can I have the same account on 2 Switches?
You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple consoles. However, you can only activate one primary console per Nintendo Account. On a non-primary console, games that you’ve downloaded with your Nintendo Account will only be playable using your account.
6. What happens to my games when I get a new Switch?
Digital games are tied to your Nintendo account. Once you get a new Switch and log in you’re able to redownload all those games and start playing them again.
7. Will I lose my Animal Crossing Island if I get a new Switch?
If you have enabled island backup, you will be able to restore the last saved version of your island and all residents on a replacement Nintendo Switch console. You must have already enabled island backup on the original console to use this feature, but you can restore the island save data using only the new console.
8. Can I have two Animal Crossing Islands on two Switches?
You can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you use multiple games. A different system is required to create a different island. The island save data is saved on the Nintendo Switch system, so there will only be one island (save file), even if different games are used on the same system.
9. Do I have to buy Switch games twice?
Purchases made using a Nintendo Account can be redownloaded and played on any Nintendo Switch console it is linked to.
10. Are Switch games saved to console or account?
On Nintendo Switch, game save data is stored in the console’s system memory. This will not change whether downloadable software or software from a game card is being played. Game save data cannot be saved or copied to a microSD card.
11. How many times can you change primary Switch?
A single Switch can be the primary console for as many accounts as you want, but each account can only set one Switch as its primary.
12. Why can’t other accounts on my Switch play my games?
You can set one console per Nintendo Account as your primary console. If you change the primary console for your Nintendo Account, your games will not be playable by others on the system unless you make it the primary one again for your Nintendo Account.
13. How do I make my secondary Switch primary?
Use your Nintendo Account to access the Nintendo eShop on the console that you want to be the primary console. The system will automatically be set as the primary console for your Nintendo Account. To verify, check the Primary Console setting in your Nintendo eShop Account Information.
14. Can you transfer Switch data from one SD card to another without a computer?
The only files you can pass between microSD cards without a computer are screenshots and videos. To transfer game data, you need a computer and a microSD card reader to make the transfer.
15. Would I have to rebuy digital games on the Switch if I bought a new Switch?
Digital games are tied to your Nintendo account. Once you get a new Switch and log in you’re able to redownload all those games and start playing them again.
Embracing Gaming and Learning
The world of gaming offers more than just entertainment. Organizations like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org are exploring how games can be used as powerful tools for education and development, showing the positive impact of gaming on learning.
Transferring your games to a new Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process, especially when you understand the different methods and considerations. By following this guide, you can ensure a smooth transition and continue enjoying your favorite games on your new console. Happy gaming!