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How to Increase Storage on Nintendo Switch

Back up your games and save data to an SD card or Nintendo Switch Online

By Robert Earl Wells III Updated on April 17, 2022 Reviewed by Chris Selph Reviewed by Chris Selph Chris Selph is a CompTIA-certified technology and vocational IT teacher. He also serves as network & server administrator and performs computer maintenance and repair for numerous clients. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email Consoles & PCs Xbox Buyer's Guide

What to Know

Turn off the Switch and lift the kickstand to find the microSD slot. Insert a microSD memory card, then turn on the console.Go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System/microSD Card to free up space on the console.You can store games, demos, software updates, DLC, screenshots, and videos on your microSD card, but you can't store save data. This article explains how to increase storage on a Nintendo Switch with a microSD card. You can also back up your games and save data with Nintendo Switch Online.

Can You Add More Storage to Nintendo Switch

If you can't download new games because the internal storage is full, you can archive your data to Nintendo's cloud service. Go to System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive. Choose the games you want to archive, then select Archive Data. When you archive games that you've purchased from the Nintendo Store, you can redownload them for free. Game save data remains stored on the console. To back up your saved data online, you must pay for a monthly subscription to Nintendo Switch Online. Alternatively, you can expand your Switch's storage with a compatible microSD card. That way, you don't have to worry about deleting and redownloading games.

How Do You Upgrade the Memory on a Switch

Follow these steps to increase the storage space on your Nintendo Switch: In handheld mode, turn off the Switch. Hold down the Power button and select Power Options > Turn Off. On the back of the Switch, lift the kickstand the reveal the microSD slot. Gently insert the microSD card into the slot with the metal pins facing down. You may hear a click when the card is securely locked in place. Press the Power button to turn on the Switch. On the Switch home screen, select System Settings. Select Data Management, then select Move Data Between System/microSD Card. Select Move to microSD Card. Choose the games you want to transfer to the microSD card, then select Move Data. You will now have more space for games on your Switch. When the internal storage is full, new downloads will automatically go to the SD card. To view all of the games on the microSD card and the console itself, go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software. On the right, you can see how much space is available on the microSD card and the system itself. To transfer game data from the microSD card to the Switch, go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System/microSD Card > Move to System Memory.

What SD Cards Are Compatible With the Switch

The Nintendo Switch only supports microSD cards. These tiny memory cards are also used in smartphones and digital cameras. Accessing a microSD card on a PC usually requires an adapter. Popular microSD cards for the Switch include the Samsung EVO+ 256GB and the SanDisk Ultra 400GB.

Can I Use Any Micro SD for Switch

Any microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC memory card should work with the Nintendo Switch. If you want to use a microSDXC card, update the system software by going to System Settings > System > System Update. You can store games, demos, software updates, DLC, screenshots, and videos on your microSD card, but you can't store save data. It is possible, however, to transfer save data between Switch consoles using the built-in NFC capabilities. You can copy the game files on the SD card to your computer to back them up, but you can't play the games on another Switch console. To do that, you must import user data between consoles by adding a user to your Nintendo Switch.

Upgrading Your Switch SD Card

If you decide to change out your microSD card for a larger one, you should first save the Nintendo folder on the old SD card to your computer. Then, move the Nintendo folder to the new card on your PC before inserting it into your Switch. Go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software to make sure all of your game data is there. FAQ How much storage does a Switch have? Internally, an OLED Switch has 64GB of storage, while the original Switch and the Switch Lite both come with 32GB of storage internally. Though, users can increase storage with SD cards, as described above. Can you upgrade the storage of the Switch Lite? Yes, you can! The Switch Lite has a microSD card slot, just like the original Switch does. And like the original Switch, the Lite has 32GB of internal storage. SD cards compatible with Switch will also be compatible with Switch Lite. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How to Transfer Save Data Between Users on the Switch How to Connect a Nintendo Switch Pro Controller to a PC How to Reset Nintendo Switch How to Add Extra Storage to Steam Deck How to Organize Your Nintendo Switch Games Into Groups How to Clear the Cache on Xbox One Consoles How to Transfer Data From a Nintendo 3DS SD Card How to Download and Play Fortnite on Nintendo Switch How to Connect the Nintendo Switch to Your Laptop How to Fix It When Nintendo Switch Won't Connect to Wi-Fi The 6 Best SD Cards for the Nintendo Switch in 2022 The 10 Best Nintendo Switch Accessories How to Move Apps to an SD Card on Android The Nintendo Switch Camera: Where Is It and How Does It Work? How to Set up and Use a Nintendo Switch Microphone How to Fix It When Nintendo Switch Is Frozen Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies