Did you get a larger microSD card for your Nintendo Switch? Here’s how to easily transfer the data between the two cards.
Unlike Sony handhelds, Nintendo has always embraced the SD standard for memory storage. The Nintendo 3DS used SD cards and the Nintendo Switch uses microSD cards and supports up to 2 TB. The Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal storage, so most people will need to buy a microSD card eventually.
You can start off pretty small for cheap, but larger cards 512GB to 1TB are now available for a reasonable price. Here’s what you need to know about transferring data to a new microSD card and everything you’ll need before starting the process.
Before You Begin
- Two compatible microSD cards
- An SD card slot on a Windows PC or laptop OR
- An SD card reader/writer for USB
Note: Nintendo says you should use Windows to copy the folders from the microSD card to your PC and to the new card. The process may not work on other desktop environments like Mac & Linux.
How to Transfer MicroSD Data
First, make sure all of your games are saved and turn off the Nintendo Switch by holding down the power button for ~15 seconds. From the menu that comes up, choose ‘Power Off.’ Always make sure you tun the Switch off before removing the microSD card.
- Remove the original microSD card from the Switch.
- Insert the original microSD card into the adapter or slot on your PC.
- Open Windows Explorer and access the microSD card.
- Highlight every folder on the card and drag it to the desktop.
- Do not delete, format, or alter the content in any way.
- Eject the original microSD card and insert the new microSD card.
- Open the new microSD card in Windows Explorer.
- Drag the data from the desktop to the new microSD card.
- Eject the new microSD card and insert it in the Nintendo Switch.
- Verify the data works. Any software that cannot be read on the new microSD card can be re-downloaded from the Nintendo eShop.
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