How Much Storage Does a Switch OLED Have? A Deep Dive for Gamers

The Nintendo Switch OLED model comes with 64GB of internal storage. This is double the storage found in the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite, which both offer 32GB. While 64GB is an improvement, it’s still essential for many users to consider expanding that storage via microSD cards, especially if they plan on downloading a significant number of games.

Understanding the Switch OLED’s Storage Capacity

The 64GB of internal storage on the Switch OLED sounds like a decent amount on paper, but the reality is that a portion of it is reserved for the system’s operating system and pre-installed software. This means that the actual usable storage space is less than 64GB. Typically, you’ll find around 54GB to 56GB available for game downloads, screenshots, and other data.

This available space can quickly fill up, especially with the growing size of modern games. Digital versions of AAA titles can easily take up 10GB to 30GB or even more, meaning you might only be able to install a handful of games before needing to expand your storage.

Why Expand Your Storage on the Switch OLED?

While physical game cartridges don’t require installation space (beyond updates and DLC), digital-only games, demos, and updates all consume storage. Here’s why expanding your storage is often necessary:

• Digital Game Library: If you prefer to download your games rather than buy physical copies, you’ll quickly run out of space with the internal storage.
• Indie Games: Even though many indie games are smaller in size, a large collection of them can still fill up the available storage.
• Game Updates and DLC: Many games receive updates that add new content, fix bugs, or improve performance. These updates, along with downloadable content (DLC), take up storage space.
• Screenshots and Videos: The Switch OLED allows you to capture screenshots and videos of your gameplay. These files can accumulate over time and consume a significant amount of storage.

Expanding Storage with microSD Cards

The Nintendo Switch OLED supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. This provides a convenient and relatively inexpensive way to significantly expand your storage capacity.

• microSD: Supports up to 2GB.
• microSDHC: Supports up to 32GB.
• microSDXC: Supports 64GB and above (theoretically up to 2TB, though support is often limited by firmware updates; currently, up to 1TB cards are widely tested and confirmed to work).

For most users, a microSDXC card with a capacity of 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or even 1TB is recommended. This will provide ample storage for a large digital game library, updates, DLC, and screenshots.

Choosing the Right microSD Card

When selecting a microSD card for your Switch OLED, consider the following factors:

• Capacity: Choose a capacity that meets your needs. If you plan on downloading a lot of games, opt for a larger capacity card.
• Speed: The read and write speeds of the microSD card can impact game loading times and overall performance. Look for a card with a UHS-I (Ultra High Speed Class 1) rating or higher. Nintendo recommends a card with a read speed of at least 60MB/s.
• Brand: Stick to reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar for reliability and performance.
• Price: microSD card prices vary depending on capacity and speed. Shop around to find the best deal for your budget.

Formatting Your microSD Card

Before using a microSD card with your Switch OLED, it’s recommended to format it using the console itself. This ensures that the card is properly formatted and compatible with the system. To format a microSD card on your Switch OLED:

1. Insert the microSD card into the microSD card slot.
2. Go to System Settings from the HOME Menu.
3. Scroll down and select System.
4. Select Formatting Options.
5. Select Format microSD Card.
6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the formatting process.

Moving Data Between Internal Storage and microSD Card

You can move downloaded games and other data between the internal storage and the microSD card on your Switch OLED. To do this:

1. Go to System Settings from the HOME Menu.
2. Scroll down and select Data Management.
3. Select Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
4. Choose whether to move data from the system to the microSD card or vice versa.
5. Select the data you want to move and follow the on-screen instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about the Nintendo Switch OLED’s storage capacity and expansion options:

1. Does the Switch OLED come with any pre-installed games?

No, the Switch OLED does not come with any full games pre-installed. However, it may include demos or tutorials that take up a small amount of storage space.

2. Can I use a microSD card larger than 1TB with the Switch OLED?

While theoretically, microSDXC cards can support up to 2TB, the Switch OLED’s official support is usually capped at 1TB through firmware updates. Using larger cards might work, but it’s not guaranteed, and could lead to compatibility issues. Always check the latest Nintendo documentation for supported capacities.

3. Will using a slower microSD card affect game performance?

Yes, a slower microSD card can negatively impact game loading times and overall performance. It’s recommended to use a card with a UHS-I rating and a read speed of at least 60MB/s.

4. How do I check how much storage space I have left on my Switch OLED?

You can check your storage space in System Settings > Data Management. This will show you how much space is used on the internal storage and the microSD card (if one is installed).

5. Can I download games directly to the microSD card?

Yes, you can set your Switch OLED to download games directly to the microSD card. Go to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Destination and select “microSD Card.”

6. What happens if I remove the microSD card while playing a game stored on it?

The game will stop working and you’ll be prompted to reinsert the microSD card. It’s best to avoid removing the card while a game is running to prevent data corruption.

7. Can I use multiple microSD cards with my Switch OLED?

No, the Switch OLED only has one microSD card slot, so you can only use one card at a time.

8. Is it possible to transfer save data between the internal storage and the microSD card?

Yes, you can transfer save data between the internal storage and the microSD card using the Data Management settings. However, some save data may be locked to the console and cannot be transferred.

9. What is the best microSD card brand for the Switch OLED?

Reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar are generally considered to be reliable and offer good performance.

10. Can I use an SD card adapter with a microSD card in the Switch OLED?

No, the Switch OLED only supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. SD card adapters are not supported.

11. How do I know if my microSD card is compatible with the Switch OLED?

Check the specifications of the microSD card to ensure that it is a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card and that it meets the recommended speed requirements.

12. What happens if my microSD card becomes corrupted?

If your microSD card becomes corrupted, you may lose the data stored on it. It’s recommended to back up your save data regularly to prevent data loss.

13. Does the Switch OLED’s internal storage use faster memory than the original Switch?

While Nintendo doesn’t explicitly disclose details about memory speeds, the OLED model features an improved system-on-a-chip (SoC) that likely offers slightly better performance and potentially faster internal memory compared to the original Switch. However, the primary performance improvements come from the OLED screen itself and not necessarily the storage speed.

14. Can I play physical games without any storage space?

Yes, you can play physical games without using any storage space, beyond any updates or DLC that you may choose to download. The game data is stored on the game cartridge itself.

15. Where can I learn more about games and education?

For those interested in the intersection of games and learning, consider exploring the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. This organization provides valuable resources and insights into how games can be used effectively in educational settings. It’s a great resource to understand more about GamesLearningSociety.org.

Conclusion

While the 64GB of internal storage on the Nintendo Switch OLED is an improvement over previous models, it’s often insufficient for gamers who prefer digital downloads or enjoy capturing a lot of screenshots and videos. Expanding your storage with a high-quality microSD card is a simple and effective way to overcome this limitation and enjoy a vast library of games on your Switch OLED. Remember to choose a card that meets your needs in terms of capacity, speed, and reliability, and always back up your save data to prevent data loss.