How to Download Nintendo Switch Games to SD Card
If you love playing games on your Nintendo Switch, you might have encountered the problem of running out of storage space on your console. The Switch only has 32 GB of internal memory, which can fill up quickly if you download many games from the eShop. Fortunately, there is a solution: you can use a microSD card to expand your storage capacity and download more games.
In this article, we will show you how to download Nintendo Switch games to an SD card, how to move games from the system memory to the SD card, how to transfer games from one SD card to another, and how to manage your SD card storage. By following these steps, you will be able to enjoy more games on your Switch without worrying about running out of space.
download nintendo switch games to sd card
Before we begin, there are some requirements and exceptions you need to know:
You need a microSD card that is compatible with the Switch. Nintendo recommends using a microSD card with a speed class of UHS-I (U1) or UHS-3 (U3) and a capacity of 32 GB or more.
You need to update your Switch system software to version 10.0.0 or later. You can check your system version by going to System Settings > System > System Update.
You can only move or download games that have been purchased from the eShop. You cannot move or download games that are stored on game cards.
You can play games from the SD card, but save data and some update data will always be stored in the system memory. You cannot transfer save data or update data to the SD card.
When you move or download games, some data may be stored outside the destination. This means that even if you move or download a game to the SD card, some data may still remain in the system memory or vice versa.
How to Move Games from System Memory to SD Card
If you have already downloaded some games to your system memory and you want to free up some space, you can move them to your SD card without having to download them again. Here's how:
Turn off your Switch by holding down the power button and selecting Power Options > Turn Off.
Insert your microSD card into the slot behind the kickstand on the back of the console.
Turn on your Switch by pressing the power button.
Select System Settings from your home screen.
Scroll down and select Data Management.
Select Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
Select Move to microSD Card.
Select the game(s) you want to move by checking the boxes next to them. You can move more than one game at a time if you have enough free space on your microSD card.
Select Move Data.
Select Move again to confirm.
Wait for the data transfer to complete. You will see a message saying "Data move complete."
How to Download Games Directly to SD Card
If you want to download new games from the eShop and save them directly on your SD card, you need to change the default download location first Here's how:
Select Nintendo eShop from your home screen.
Select your user profile.
Select your icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Select Settings.
Scroll down and select Default Download Location.
Select microSD Card.
Select OK to confirm.
Now, when you purchase or download a game from the eShop, it will be saved on your SD card automatically. You can also check the download progress by selecting Download Options from the game page or by pressing the + button on your home screen and selecting Software Update > Via the Internet.
How to Transfer Games from One SD Card to Another
If you want to upgrade your SD card to a larger one or switch to a different one, you can transfer your games from one SD card to another using a computer. Here's how:
Turn off your Switch by holding down the power button and selecting Power Options > Turn Off.
Remove your old microSD card from the slot behind the kickstand on the back of the console.
Insert your old microSD card into a card reader connected to your computer. If you don't have a card reader, you can use an adapter that fits your computer's USB port.
Open the file explorer on your computer and locate your old microSD card. It should appear as a removable drive with a name like "Nintendo" or "Untitled".
Select all the files and folders on your old microSD card and copy them to a folder on your computer. You can name the folder anything you like, such as "Switch Backup".
Eject your old microSD card from your computer and insert your new microSD card into the card reader. Make sure your new microSD card is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. If it is not, you can format it using your computer's disk management tool. Be careful not to format any other drives by mistake.
Open the file explorer on your computer and locate your new microSD card. It should appear as a removable drive with a name like "Nintendo" or "Untitled".
Copy all the files and folders from the folder you created on your computer (such as "Switch Backup") to your new microSD card. Do not change the names or locations of any files or folders.
Eject your new microSD card from your computer and insert it into the slot behind the kickstand on the back of the console.
Turn on your Switch by pressing the power button. You should be able to access all your games from your new microSD card.
How to Manage Your SD Card Storage
Now that you have downloaded many games to your SD card, you might want to know how to check how much space you have left, how to delete unwanted games, how to archive games that you don't play often, and how to format your SD card if needed. Here are some tips and tricks:
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How to Check Your Available Space
To see how much space you have used and how much you have left on your SD card, follow these steps:
Select System Settings from your home screen.
Scroll down and select Data Management.
Select Quick Archive or Manage Software. You will see a bar at the top of the screen showing you how much space is occupied by games in the system memory and in the microSD card, and how much free space is available in each location.
How to Delete Unwanted Games
If you want to delete some games that you don't play anymore or that you don't like, follow these steps:
Select System Settings from your home screen.
Scroll down and select Data Management.
Select Manage Software.
Select the game(s) you want to delete by pressing the A button on them. You can delete more than one game at a time if you have enough free space in the system memory or in the microSD card.
Select Delete Software.
Select Delete again to confirm.
How to Archive Games
If you want to save some space on your SD card without deleting some games that you might want to play again in the future, you can archive them instead. Archiving a game will delete its software data but keep its icon and save data on your home screen. You can re-download an archived game anytime by selecting its icon and following the instructions. Here's how to archive a game:
Select System Settings from your home screen.
Scroll down and select Data Management.
Select Manage Software.
Select the game(s) you want to archive by pressing the A button on them. You can archive more than one game at a time if you have enough free space in the system memory or in the microSD card.
Select Archive Software.
Select Archive again to confirm.
How to Format Your SD Card
If you want to erase all the data on your SD card and start fresh, you can format it using your Switch. Formatting your SD card will delete all the games, screenshots, and videos stored on it, so make sure you back up any important data before you do this. Here's how to format your SD card:
Select System Settings from your home screen.
Scroll down and select System.
Select Formatting Options.
Select Format microSD Card.
Select Continue.
Select Format to confirm.
Conclusion
Downloading Nintendo Switch games to an SD card is a great way to expand your storage capacity and enjoy more games on your console. In this article, we showed you how to move games from the system memory to the SD card, how to download games directly to the SD card, how to transfer games from one SD card to another, and how to manage your SD card storage. By following these steps, you will be able to make the most of your Switch and have fun with your favorite games.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions related to the topic:
Q: What is the maximum size of SD card that the Switch can support?
A: The Switch can support microSD cards up to 2 TB in size. However, as of now, there are no microSD cards that large available on the market. The largest ones you can find are 1 TB, which should be more than enough for most users.
Q: Can I use multiple SD cards for my Switch?
A: Yes, you can use multiple SD cards for your Switch, but you will need to swap them manually every time you want to access a different one. You cannot use more than one SD card at a time on your Switch. Also, make sure you turn off your Switch before removing or inserting an SD card to avoid data corruption.
Q: Can I play games from an SD card on another Switch?
A: No, you cannot play games from an SD card on another Switch unless you have transferred your user profile and save data to that Switch first. Otherwise, you will see a message saying "The microSD card is being used by another Nintendo Switch console or was used on this console before it was initialized." To transfer your user profile and save data, you will need to use the Transfer Your User Data option in the System Settings.
Q: Can I use an SD card adapter to play games from a larger SD card?
A: No, you cannot use an SD card adapter to play games from a larger SD card. The Switch only supports microSD cards and will not recognize any other type of SD card. You will need to use a microSD card that fits the slot behind the kickstand on the back of the console.
Q: How can I backup my screenshots and videos from my SD card?
A: You can backup your screenshots and videos from your SD card by copying them to a computer or by uploading them to a social media platform. To copy them to a computer, you will need to use a card reader or an adapter and follow the same steps as transferring games from one SD card to another. To upload them to a social media platform, you will need to select Album from your home screen, select the screenshot or video you want to share, press the A button, and select Post. 44f88ac181
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