What happens if you archive a Nintendo Switch game?

When you archive a Nintendo Switch game, the downloaded software will be deleted to free up storage space, but the game icon will remain on the HOME Menu, allowing you to easily redownload the game whenever you want, without losing any of your save data. The archiving process is a convenient way to manage your game library and storage space on your Nintendo Switch, as it enables you to remove unused games while keeping their icons and save data intact.

Understanding Archiving and Deleting on Nintendo Switch

Archiving and deleting are two different processes on the Nintendo Switch, each with its own set of implications.

Archiving vs. Deleting

Archiving a game on the Nintendo Switch means that the game’s data will be removed from the console’s storage to free up space, but the game’s icon will remain on the HOME Menu. This allows for easy redownload of the game if you decide you want to play it again in the future. On the other hand, deleting a game removes both the game’s data and its icon from the HOME Menu, requiring you to search for the game in the Nintendo eShop if you want to download it again.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does archiving switch games delete data? No, archiving a Nintendo Switch game does not delete your save data; it simply removes the game’s data from the console’s storage while preserving the game icon and save data.
2. Is archiving the same as deleting Nintendo Switch? No, archiving and deleting are not the same on the Nintendo Switch. Archiving removes the game’s data but keeps the icon, whereas deleting removes both the data and the icon.
3. Can you get back archived games on Switch? Yes, you can redownload archived games on the Nintendo Switch by selecting the game’s icon on the HOME Menu.
4. How to free up space on Nintendo Switch without deleting games? You can free up space on the Nintendo Switch by managing your save data and screenshots, and by using a microSD card to store your games and data.
5. What to do when Switch storage is full? When your Nintendo Switch’s storage is full, you can expand your storage by purchasing a microSD card, or you can delete or archive unused games to free up space.
6. How many games can a Switch hold? The number of games a Nintendo Switch can hold depends on the available storage space; a Switch with 32GB of storage can hold around 4-8 games.
7. What happens to archived games? Archived games are removed from the console’s storage, but their icons and save data remain, allowing for easy redownload.
8. Where do archived Switch games go? Archived Switch games are stored on the console, with their icons remaining on the HOME Menu and their save data preserved.
9. Can you dump downloaded Switch games? Yes, you can dump downloaded Switch games using the Dump base application NSP or Dump installed update NSP options.
10. Should I archive Switch games? Archiving Switch games is a good option if you want to free up storage space without losing access to your games or their save data.
11. Is it better to archive or delete? Archiving is generally better than deleting, as it allows you to preserve your game icons and save data while freeing up storage space.
12. Is archiving better than deleting? Yes, archiving is usually better than deleting, as it provides a way to manage your storage space without losing access to your games or their data.
13. Does archiving delete data? No, archiving does not delete data; it simply removes the game’s data from the console’s storage while preserving the game icon and save data.
14. Can I save Switch games to SD card? Yes, you can transfer game data to a microSD card using the Data Management option in the System Settings.
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