Transfer Nintendo Switch Games To SD Card: Easy Guide

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Transferring Nintendo Switch Digital Games to SD Card: An Easy Guide

Hey guys! Running out of space on your Nintendo Switch? It's a common problem, especially if you're a digital game hoarder like many of us! The good news is you can easily transfer your downloaded games to an SD card to free up space on your console's internal storage. This article will walk you through the process step-by-step, ensuring you can get back to gaming without the frustration of deleting your precious titles. Let's dive in!

Why Transfer Games to an SD Card?

Before we get started, let's talk about why transferring games to an SD card is a fantastic idea. The Nintendo Switch has limited internal storage ā€“ the original Switch has 32GB (but only about 25GB is usable), and the Switch Lite has the same. The OLED model doubles that to 64GB, but even that can fill up quickly if you download a lot of games. AAA titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Super Smash Bros. Ultimate can take up a significant chunk of space.

Using an SD card gives you much more storage capacity. You can add anywhere from 64GB to 2TB of extra space, giving you plenty of room for all your digital games, DLC, screenshots, and videos. Plus, managing your storage effectively ensures your Switch runs smoothly. Nobody wants to deal with lag or performance issues because their console is overloaded.

Benefits of Using an SD Card:

  • More Storage: Download more games without worrying about space.
  • Portability: Easily transfer your game library to another Switch (though you'll need to re-download the games).
  • Improved Performance: Keeping your internal storage from being completely full can help your Switch run faster.

Now that we know why it's a good idea, let's get into how to do it.

Choosing the Right SD Card

Not all SD cards are created equal! Before you rush out and buy the cheapest one you can find, it's important to choose an SD card that's compatible with your Nintendo Switch. Nintendo recommends using UHS-I (Ultra High-Speed Phase I) SD cards with a transfer speed of at least 60-95MB/sec. This ensures that your games load quickly and run smoothly. Slower cards can lead to longer loading times and even performance issues.

Hereā€™s what to look for:

  • Type: microSDHC or microSDXC
  • UHS Rating: UHS-I (U1 or U3)
  • Speed Class: Class 10
  • Recommended Brands: SanDisk, Samsung, Lexar

Storage Capacity:

  • 64GB: A good starting point if you only plan to download a few games.
  • 128GB: A sweet spot for most users, offering plenty of space for a decent-sized library.
  • 256GB or higher: Ideal for avid gamers who download a lot of large games and DLC.

Formatting Your SD Card:

Before you start transferring games, make sure your SD card is formatted correctly. The Nintendo Switch uses the exFAT file system. Most new SD cards come pre-formatted, but it's always a good idea to double-check. To format your SD card on your Switch:

  1. Insert the SD card into the SD card slot on your Nintendo Switch.
  2. Go to System Settings from the HOME Menu.
  3. Scroll down and select System.
  4. Choose Formatting Options.
  5. Select Format microSD Card.

Warning: Formatting your SD card will erase all data on it. Make sure to back up any important files before formatting. Once your SD card is properly formatted, you're ready to start transferring games.

Step-by-Step Guide: Transferring Games

Unfortunately, you can't directly transfer individual game files from the internal storage to the SD card. Instead, you need to change the download location in your system settings. Here's how:

  1. Insert the SD Card: Ensure your SD card is properly inserted into the Nintendo Switch.
  2. Go to System Settings: From the HOME Menu, select the System Settings icon (the gear icon).
  3. Navigate to Data Management: Scroll down and select Data Management.
  4. Choose Move Data Between System / microSD Card: Select this option to manage where your data is stored.

From here, you'll see two options:

  • Move to microSD Card: This option moves downloadable software, update data, and DLC from the consoleā€™s internal storage to the microSD card.
  • Move to System Memory: This option moves data from the microSD card to the consoleā€™s internal storage. Youā€™ll likely want the first option in this case.

Detailed Steps:

  1. Select ā€œMove to microSD Cardā€: This will initiate the transfer process.
  2. Wait for the Transfer: The Switch will start moving your downloadable software, update data, and DLC to the SD card. This process can take a while, depending on how much data you're transferring. Make sure your Switch is connected to the AC adapter to avoid running out of battery during the transfer.
  3. Check the Results: Once the transfer is complete, go back to Data Management and check the storage space on both your system memory and the SD card. You should see that the space used on your system memory has decreased, and the space used on your SD card has increased.

Important Note: Saved data, like your game progress, is always stored on the console's internal memory and cannot be transferred to the SD card. This is to prevent cheating and ensure the integrity of your save files.

Managing Download Locations

To prevent future games from being downloaded to your system memory, you can set your SD card as the default download location. Hereā€™s how:

  1. Go to System Settings: From the HOME Menu, select the System Settings icon.
  2. Navigate to System: Scroll down and select System.
  3. Scroll to Download Location: This setting determines where new games and updates will be downloaded.
  4. Choose microSD Card: Select this option to set your SD card as the default download location.

Now, any new games, updates, or DLC you download will automatically be saved to your SD card, freeing up space on your system memory. This is a huge convenience and will save you from having to manually transfer files later on.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Here are a few common issues you might encounter and how to fix them:

  • SD Card Not Recognized:
    • Solution: Make sure the SD card is properly inserted. Try removing and reinserting it. Also, ensure that the SD card is compatible with the Nintendo Switch (UHS-I, Class 10). If the issue persists, try formatting the SD card on your Switch.
  • Slow Download Speeds:
    • Solution: Check your internet connection. A slow or unstable internet connection can significantly impact download speeds. Try restarting your router or moving closer to your Wi-Fi access point. Also, make sure there are no other devices on your network using a lot of bandwidth.
  • Game Won't Launch After Transfer:
    • Solution: This is rare, but sometimes the transfer process can get interrupted. Try re-downloading the game from the Nintendo eShop. Make sure your SD card has enough free space and that it's properly inserted.
  • Error Message During Transfer:
    • Solution: Note the error code and search for it on Nintendo's support website. Nintendo provides detailed troubleshooting steps for various error codes. Also, ensure that your Switch has the latest system software update.

Conclusion

So there you have it! Transferring your Nintendo Switch digital games to an SD card is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your gaming experience. By following these steps, you can free up space on your console, download more games, and enjoy smoother performance. Remember to choose a compatible SD card, format it correctly, and manage your download locations effectively. Happy gaming, folks! And remember, don't be afraid to reach out to Nintendo support if you run into any issues along the way. They're there to help!