How to Transfer Nintendo Switch Games to a New Memory Card

Last Updated: Jan 28, 2024 by

If you’re an avid Nintendo Switch gamer, you may have found yourself running out of storage space on your console. With the growing library of games available for the Switch, it’s easy to fill up your memory card quickly. But fear not, transferring your games to a new memory card is a simple process that can save you from having to delete your favorite games. In this article, we’ll walk you through the steps of transferring Nintendo Switch games to a new memory card.

Why Transfer Nintendo Switch Games to a New Memory Card?

The Nintendo Switch comes with a limited amount of internal storage, and many gamers opt to purchase a larger memory card to store their games. However, as your game library grows, you may find yourself needing to upgrade to an even larger memory card. Transferring your games to a new memory card allows you to keep all of your games without having to delete any of them.

How to Transfer Nintendo Switch Games to a New Memory Card

Transferring your games to a new memory card is a simple process that can be done in just a few steps.

  1. Power off your Nintendo Switch and remove the old memory card from the console.
  2. Insert the new memory card into the console.
  3. Power on your Nintendo Switch and go to the home menu.
  4. Select “System Settings” and then “Data Management.”
  5. Choose “Move Data Between System / microSD Card.”
  6. Select “Move to microSD Card” and then choose the games you want to transfer.
  7. Click “Move Data” and wait for the transfer to complete.

Once the transfer is complete, you can remove the new memory card and insert it into your Nintendo Switch. Your games will now be accessible on the new memory card.

What About Game Save Data?

When transferring games to a new memory card, it’s important to note that game save data is not automatically transferred. This means that if you delete a game from your old memory card, you will also lose any saved progress. To avoid this, you can transfer your game save data separately.

How to Transfer Game Save Data on Nintendo Switch

  1. Power off your Nintendo Switch and remove the old memory card from the console.
  2. Insert the new memory card into the console.
  3. Power on your Nintendo Switch and go to the Home menu.
  4. Select “System Settings” and then “Data Management.”
  5. Choose “Save Data” and then “Copy / Delete.”
  6. Select “Copy” and then choose the games you want to transfer save data for.
  7. Click “Copy” and wait for the transfer to complete.

Once the transfer is complete, you can remove the new memory card and insert it into your Nintendo Switch. Your game save data will now be accessible on the new memory card.

What If I Want to Transfer All of My Data?

If you’re upgrading to a new Nintendo Switch console, you may want to transfer all of your data, including games, game save data, and system settings. This can be done using the “Transfer Your User Data” feature.

How to Transfer All Data to a New Nintendo Switch Console

  1. Power off both Nintendo Switch consoles.
  2. Remove the old memory card from the old console and insert it into the new console.
  3. Power on both consoles and go to the Home menu.
  4. On the old console, select “System Settings” and then “Users.”
  5. Select “Transfer Your User Data” and then “Next.”
  6. On the new console, select “System Settings” and then “Users.”
  7. Select “Transfer Your User Data” and then “Next.”
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the transfer.

Once the transfer is complete, all of your data, including games, game save data, and system settings, will be available on the new console.

Tips for Transferring Nintendo Switch Games

Transferring games to a new memory card can be a simple process, but there are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure a smooth transfer.

Use a High-Quality Memory Card

When purchasing a new memory card for your Nintendo Switch, it’s important to choose a high-quality card from a reputable brand. This will ensure that your games and game save data are transferred without any issues.

Keep Your Old Memory Card

It’s always a good idea to keep your old memory card, even after transferring your games to a new one. This way, if you ever need to transfer your games again, you can simply use the old memory card as a backup.

Check for Updates

Before transferring your games, make sure to check for any updates for the games you want to transfer. This will ensure that you have the latest version of the game on your new memory card.

Conclusion

Transferring Nintendo Switch games to a new memory card is a simple process that can save you from having to delete your favorite games. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily transfer your games, game save data, and even all of your data to a new console. With these tips in mind, you can ensure a smooth transfer and continue enjoying your favorite games on your Nintendo Switch.

Gulrukh Ch

About the Author: Gulrukh Ch

Gulrukh Chaudhary, an accomplished digital marketer and technology writer with a passion for exploring the frontiers of innovation. Armed with a Master's degree in Information Technology, Gulrukh seamlessly blends her technical prowess with her creative flair, resulting in captivating insights into the world of emerging technologies. Discover more about her on her LinkedIn profile.