The Ultimate Guide to Expanding Your Nintendo Switch Storage

The best way to add storage to your Nintendo Switch is by using a microSD card. Specifically, a UHS-I microSD card with an A1 or A2 rating offers the best balance of speed, compatibility, and affordability. While technically the Switch supports UHS-II cards, the console cannot take advantage of the extra speed, making them an unnecessary expense. Prioritize a reputable brand, a capacity that suits your needs (128GB, 256GB, 512GB, or even 1TB), and ensure it’s formatted correctly (FAT32 or exFAT).

Understanding Nintendo Switch Storage

The Nintendo Switch, while a marvel of portable gaming, isn’t exactly generous with its built-in storage. The original Switch and Switch Lite come with a paltry 32GB of internal storage, while the OLED model doubles that to 64GB. However, after system software and pre-installed data, the actual usable space is significantly less. This can quickly become a problem, especially if you prefer digital downloads over physical game cartridges.

Why is storage so crucial? Many modern games are large, often exceeding 10GB, and some can even approach 30GB or more. Downloadable content (DLC), updates, and screenshots further eat into your available space. Without sufficient storage, you’ll be constantly deleting and redownloading games, which is time-consuming and inconvenient.

Why Not Just Use Physical Games?

While physical game cartridges alleviate the need to download the entire game, they still require installation data and updates to be stored on the system. Furthermore, many players prefer the convenience of having their entire library accessible at their fingertips, without the need to swap cartridges.

microSD Cards: Your Storage Solution

Thankfully, Nintendo recognized this limitation and included a microSD card slot in the Switch console. This offers a simple and effective way to significantly expand your storage capacity. But not all microSD cards are created equal. Understanding the different specifications is key to choosing the right one for your needs.

Essential microSD Card Specifications

• Capacity: This refers to the amount of data the card can store, measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Common sizes for the Switch range from 128GB to 1TB.
• Speed Class: This indicates the minimum sustained write speed of the card. Look for cards with a UHS Speed Class (U1 or U3) rating. U1 guarantees a minimum write speed of 10MB/s, while U3 guarantees 30MB/s. For the Switch, U1 is generally sufficient, but U3 provides a bit more headroom.
• Application Performance Class: This is arguably the most important specification for the Switch. Look for cards with an A1 or A2 rating. These ratings indicate how well the card performs when running applications (games) directly from the microSD card. A1 cards have a minimum random read speed of 1500 IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and a minimum random write speed of 500 IOPS. A2 cards significantly improve on these numbers, offering 4000 IOPS read and 2000 IOPS write. A1 or A2 are crucial for optimal loading times and overall game performance.
• UHS Interface: The Switch supports UHS-I (Ultra High Speed I) microSD cards. While UHS-II cards are technically compatible, the Switch’s hardware doesn’t utilize the full potential of the faster interface, making them an unnecessary expense.
• File System: The Switch supports both FAT32 and exFAT file systems. exFAT is generally recommended for cards larger than 32GB, as it doesn’t have the 4GB file size limitation of FAT32.

Recommended microSD Card Brands

Reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar are generally considered reliable and offer a good balance of performance and price. Avoid unknown or generic brands, as they may not meet the advertised specifications and could lead to data loss or performance issues.

How to Install a microSD Card in Your Nintendo Switch

Installing a microSD card in your Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process:

1. Power off your Nintendo Switch.
2. Locate the microSD card slot. This is located under the kickstand on the back of the console.
3. Gently lift the kickstand.
4. Insert the microSD card into the slot with the label facing upwards. Push the card in until it clicks into place.
5. Close the kickstand.
6. Power on your Nintendo Switch.
7. The Switch should automatically recognize the microSD card. You can verify this by going to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Save Data/Screenshots and Videos.

Formatting Your microSD Card

The first time you insert a new microSD card, the Switch will prompt you to format it. This prepares the card for use with the console. Follow the on-screen instructions to format the card. This process will erase all data on the card, so be sure to back up any important files before formatting.

Transferring Data to Your microSD Card

You can transfer downloaded games, screenshots, and videos to your microSD card to free up space on your internal storage. To do this:

1. Go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
2. Select “Move to microSD Card” or “Move to System Memory” as needed.
3. Select the data you want to transfer and follow the on-screen instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if my microSD card fails?

If your microSD card fails, you may lose the data stored on it. This includes downloaded games, save data, screenshots, and videos. It’s crucial to back up your save data regularly to Nintendo’s cloud service (Nintendo Switch Online required) to prevent data loss. Downloaded games can be redownloaded from the eShop, but screenshots and videos are lost if not backed up separately.

2. Can I use a microSD card larger than 1TB?

While the Nintendo Switch officially supports up to 2TB microSD cards, finding reliable and cost-effective options above 1TB can be challenging. In practical terms, a 1TB card is more than sufficient for most users.

3. What’s the difference between SD card, microSD card, and SDHC/SDXC?

• SD (Secure Digital) is the general term for memory cards.
• microSD is a smaller version of the SD card, designed for portable devices.
• SDHC (Secure Digital High Capacity) cards have a capacity between 4GB and 32GB.
• SDXC (Secure Digital eXtended Capacity) cards have a capacity between 64GB and 2TB.

4. Can I play games directly from the microSD card?

Yes, you can play games directly from the microSD card. This is the primary benefit of expanding your storage. However, the speed of the microSD card can affect loading times and overall performance. That’s why A1 or A2 ratings are recommended.

5. How do I know if my microSD card is compatible with the Nintendo Switch?

Look for cards that meet the following specifications: UHS-I, A1 or A2 rating, and FAT32 or exFAT file system. Reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, and Lexar are generally reliable choices.

6. Can I use the same microSD card for multiple Nintendo Switch consoles?

While technically possible, it’s not recommended. Game saves are typically tied to a specific Nintendo Account and console. Moving a microSD card between consoles may cause compatibility issues or require you to redownload games.

7. How do I back up my Nintendo Switch save data?

The best way to back up your save data is to use Nintendo’s cloud save service, which is part of Nintendo Switch Online. This automatically backs up your save data to the cloud, allowing you to restore it if your console is lost, damaged, or replaced. Some games do not support cloud saves.

8. Is it safe to remove the microSD card while the Switch is powered on?

No, never remove the microSD card while the Switch is powered on or running a game. This could lead to data corruption or damage to the card. Always power off the console before removing the microSD card.

9. Can I use a USB drive to expand the storage of my Nintendo Switch?

No, the Nintendo Switch does not support external USB drives for game storage. The microSD card slot is the only supported method for expanding storage.

10. How much storage do I really need?

This depends on your gaming habits. If you primarily buy physical games, a 128GB or 256GB card may be sufficient. If you prefer digital downloads, a 512GB or 1TB card is recommended. Consider your future needs as well, as game sizes tend to increase over time.

11. What does “IOPS” mean?

IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) is a measure of how many read and write operations a storage device can perform per second. A higher IOPS rating generally indicates better performance, especially when running applications (games) directly from the storage device.

12. Will a faster microSD card improve the graphics quality of my games?

No, a faster microSD card will not improve the graphics quality of your games. It will primarily affect loading times and overall game performance. Graphics quality is determined by the game itself and the capabilities of the Switch’s hardware.

13. Can I use a microSD card from another device in my Nintendo Switch?

Yes, you can use a microSD card from another device in your Nintendo Switch. However, you will need to format the card before using it with the Switch, which will erase all data on the card.

14. What do I do if my Switch is not recognizing my microSD card?

First, ensure the microSD card is properly inserted into the slot. Try removing and reinserting it. If that doesn’t work, try formatting the card on your computer (using exFAT) and then reinserting it into the Switch. If the issue persists, the microSD card may be faulty.

15. Where can I buy a microSD card for my Nintendo Switch?

microSD cards are widely available at electronics stores, online retailers (like Amazon), and even some supermarkets. Be sure to purchase from a reputable source to ensure you’re getting a genuine product.

By understanding the specifications and following these guidelines, you can easily expand your Nintendo Switch storage and enjoy a seamless gaming experience. Remember to prioritize reputable brands and the A1/A2 application performance class for the best results. Happy gaming!