How to Prepare Your Nintendo Switch for Sale: A Comprehensive Guide
Preparing your Nintendo Switch for sale involves several crucial steps to ensure your personal data is protected and that the device is in optimal condition for its new owner. The process mainly involves performing a factory reset, which wipes all your personal data and settings from the console, along with a few optional steps such as transferring your personal media and cleaning your device. Here’s a detailed look at how to do it:
Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing Your Nintendo Switch for Sale
1. Back Up Your Save Data (Optional but Recommended)
Before wiping your console, you might want to consider if you wish to keep your game saves for future use. While a factory reset will delete all save data on the console itself, this is not the end of the road for your precious game progress. There are two main ways of backing up data:
- Cloud Saves (Nintendo Switch Online): If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, most of your game save data is automatically backed up to the cloud. This is the most seamless option. However, ensure your save data is up-to-date before you start the reset process.
- Local Backup to Another Console: You can transfer user and game save data to another Nintendo Switch console. To do this, both consoles will need to be near each other and connected to the internet.
2. Transfer or Back Up Your Screenshots and Videos
Your screenshots and videos are not automatically backed up with cloud saves. If you want to keep them, you’ll need to transfer them to a computer or microSD card. Here’s how:
- Transfer via USB:
- Go to System Settings from the HOME Menu.
- Select Data Management then Manage Screenshots and Videos.
- Choose Copy to a Computer via USB Connection.
- Connect your Nintendo Switch to a computer with a USB cable (sold separately).
- On your computer, select the screenshots and/or videos to transfer.
- Transfer to microSD Card:
- Insert a microSD card into your Nintendo Switch.
- Go to System Settings then Data Management.
- Select Manage Screenshots and Videos.
- Select Copy then Copy to microSD Card
- This will move photos and videos to the SD card and you can insert the SD card into a computer or other device to access them.
3. Perform a Factory Reset
The most important step before selling your Nintendo Switch is to restore it to its factory settings. This action deletes all personal data from the console’s internal memory, including user data, save data, screenshots/videos, and account information.
1. Select **System Settings** from the HOME Menu.
2. Scroll down to **System** and select it.
3. Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu and select **Formatting Options**.
4. Select **Restore Factory Settings** to begin the process.
5. You'll be asked to confirm that you want to continue; select **Next**.
6. The system will restart, and begin the process.
4. (Optional) Cleaning the Console
A clean console will fetch a better price. Clean both the console itself and the Joy-Cons.
- Wipe surfaces with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals or excessive moisture.
- Use compressed air to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas, such as the speaker grills and ventilation ports.
5. (Optional) Reset the Console from Recovery Mode
If for any reason you can’t access the system menu you can perform a factory reset from recovery mode:
- Ensure your system is powered off.
- Press and hold the volume up (+) and volume down (-) buttons.
- Press the power button once to turn the system on.
- Continue to hold the volume buttons until the recovery screen appears.
- Select Restore to Factory Settings.
6. Check Accessories
Be sure to gather all the original accessories that came with the Nintendo Switch, including the dock, HDMI cable, power adapter, and Joy-Cons. If you have any extra accessories such as a Pro Controller or other items it is good to include them in your sale and will help you to get a higher price. If you do not have the original packaging, be sure to indicate this when listing the console.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does factory resetting a Switch delete everything?
Yes, a factory reset deletes all data on the Nintendo Switch, including user data, game save data, screenshots, videos, and linked Nintendo accounts. The device will be returned to its original state when purchased.
2. Can I factory reset a Switch without deleting games?
Unfortunately, no, a standard factory reset deletes all data, including downloaded games. However, if you have purchased digital games, you can re-download them using the Nintendo Account used to purchase them, once the system is set back up.
3. How do I get pictures and videos off my Switch?
You can transfer your screenshots and videos to a computer via USB connection or copy them to a microSD card, as detailed in step 2 of the guide.
4. Should I factory reset a used Nintendo Switch?
Yes, you should always perform a factory reset before giving away or selling your Nintendo Switch to ensure all your personal data is removed. This is vital for privacy and security.
5. What will I lose with a factory reset?
You will lose all data stored on the console’s internal memory, including your user profiles, save data, downloaded games, screenshots, videos, and settings. Your Nintendo Account will be unlinked from the console but not deleted.
6. Can you initialize a Switch without deleting save data?
Yes, you can initialize a Switch without deleting save data by using the Restore Factory Settings Without Deleting Save Data option from recovery mode, if accessible. This allows you to keep your game progress but the system settings and personal user information would still be reset.
7. Does initializing a Switch remove accounts?
Yes, initializing or factory resetting a Switch will unlink your Nintendo Accounts from the console. However, the accounts themselves are not deleted. You can relink them to the system when you set up the Switch again.
8. Is initializing the same as a factory reset?
No, an initialisation is similar but a standard factory reset erases everything. There are factory reset options that will allow you to preserve save data but a standard factory reset deletes all data.
9. Can I redownload Switch games after a factory reset?
Yes, you can redownload any digital games you purchased using the Nintendo Account that originally purchased them. Games are linked to the account, not the console.
10. What happens when you deregister a Switch console?
Deregistering a console removes the primary console designation from your Nintendo Account, allowing you to choose another as the primary one. It does not delete data from the device. However when selling your console, you still want to factory reset it to remove all user data.
11. How do I clear the cache on my Nintendo Switch?
The Nintendo Switch does not have a method of clearing cache in the traditional sense. Restarting the console is often all that’s needed to clear any built-up cached data. Clearing cache will not affect the user’s downloaded games or game save data.
12. Should I wipe my console before trading it in?
Yes, you should always wipe your console to factory settings before trading it in to protect your personal data.
13. How much money will I get if I sell a Nintendo Switch?
The price you can get for a used Nintendo Switch varies based on condition, model, and included accessories. Generally, you can expect to sell a used Nintendo Switch for $139 to $215, but an OLED model can fetch even higher prices.
14. What to delete when storage is full on Switch?
To free up storage space, you can delete games that you are no longer playing or transfer your screenshots and videos to a microSD card or PC. You cannot uninstall specific elements of a game.
15. Can you transfer pictures from one Switch to another?
Yes, you can transfer pictures between two Nintendo Switch consoles using a microSD card. However, this would involve moving the card between consoles and it is important to understand that this would result in the deletion of data already on the card.
By following these steps and addressing these common questions, you can ensure a smooth and secure transaction when selling your Nintendo Switch.