Here's everything you need to know to transfer data between Switch consoles (2024)

The Nintendo Switch keeps a tight lid on its data, but not so tight that gamers can't transfer their screenshots and videos from one console to another. While you can't swap game storage or move game libraries with a microSD card, you can at least transfer user data and some images from one Switch to another.

For those who want to move stored data, a microSD card is not enough. Luckily, we have some tips and ideas on how to move your data, whether it's save data or photos, from one Switch to another.

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Transfer user data from one switch to another

You can transfer most keys immediately. Transfer data from one console to another without a microSD card or other connections. To do this, both your original Switch and the Switch receiving the transfer must be in the same location and connected to the internet. Unfortunately, this means that if your Switch is broken, a transfer probably won't work.

Trin 1:To configure your switches, you must first have both switches physically in the same location, connected to the same Wi-Fi network, and updated to firmware version 4.0.

Trin 2:You also need to make sure there is space on the "target console" (the one you are transferring user data to). Specifically, the target console must have fewer than seven user profiles (the maximum you can set on one switch) and enough free storage space for the data you want to add from the "source" console. You may want to keep a microSD card handy, just in case.

Trin 3:Log in as the user you want to transfer to the source console.

Use the source console (the one you are moving user data from) and log in with the user account you want to transfer.

Trin 4:Ga inInstitutionsmenu (the little icon that looks like a gear on the Switch home screen) and navigate downUsersthe tab.

Trin 5:In this menu, scroll down to the setting that readsTransfer your user.

Trin 6:Now pick up the second "target" switch to log in. As in the previous steps, go to the Switch home screen and navigate toInstitutionsmenu.

Trin 7:Go toUserstab and searchTransfer your user.

Trin 8:Select that option and then selectTarget consoleso the switch knows it is the console receiving the transfer.

Trin 9:From here you'll log into your Nintendo Account, so have your email address and password to hand.

Trin 10:Return to the source console. It should have found the target console: if so, selectHandover. A bar will appear indicating the status of the transfer.

Trin 11:When it's done, tapEndon the source console and you're done. The user account and saved data disappear from the source switch and appear on the target switch.

It is important to remember that some titles, such asAnimal Crossing: New Horizons, actually makes transferring stored data much more difficult than this. If you would like to transfer these types of titles, please contact Nintendo Customer Service. They will guide you through it and help you transfer your saved data from one system to another. But use this sparingly.

Transfer screenshots and videos with a microSD card

Although you can move save data between Switches along with your user profile, this makes the target Switch your "primary" console - meaning it's the only one linked to your Nintendo Account and the only one for which you can download games, for example. You can also use a particular microSD card in one Switch: If you insert your microSD card into another Switch, that Switch will format the microSD card and delete all data on it.

The only files you can transfer between microSD cards arescreenshots and videos. For this, you will need a computer and a microSD card reader to perform the transfer.

Trin 1:First, you'll need a microSD card for both switches you want to transfer your photos between. You can use one microSD card to perform the transfer, but only if you are willing to erase all data on it when moving it from one console to another. The easiest way is to use a microSD card for each console and move data between the two. So first make sure your microSD card is set up for each console.

Trin 2:Once your card is formatted and ready to use, grab the Nintendo Switch with the photos and videos you want to transfer: the 'source' switch.

Trin 3:Go toAlbumicon on the source switcher home screen. You can set where your screenshots and videos are savedInstitutionsmenu, but the default sends your saved photos and videos to the Switch's internal memory.

Trin 4:If your photos are stored there, copy them to your microSD card so you can delete them from the device.

Trin 5:I thinkAlbum, select the photo or video you want to transfer.

Trin 6:to electCoffeepossibility. This will automatically send your selection to the microSD card. However, you must create each image and video you want to copy separately.

Trin 7:Once you've copied everything you want to the card, turn off the switch and remove it from the device.

Trin 8:Remove the microSD card from your Switch and insert it into your microSD card reader and into your computer. You can now access the files on the microSD card, starting with a highlighted folderNintendo.

Trin 9:Open that folder and find one calledAlbum. Inside, all the photos and videos you transferred to your microSD card are organized into folders by date.

Trin 10:The easiest thing is to select everythingAlbumfolder and copy it to your computer. Choose a convenient location to save the file so you can easily find it later.

Trin 11:Once the files have been copied, slide out the microSD card reader and remove the card from the reader.

Trin 12:Insert the microSD card from the other switch - the "target" switch - into the microSD card reader and insert it directly into the machine. You will immediately notice the identical Nintendo folder with the sameAlbumfolder contained therein.

Trin 13:openAlbummap.

Trin 14:Then keep clicking and opening the date folders until you've gone through all the folders. If you have saved screenshots or videos, you can view them in any of the folders mentioned.

Trin 15:Find the photos you saved to your computer from the source contact's microSD card and copy them to the folder on the target microSD card.

Trin 16:After you have finished copying all the items, remove the microSD card reader and remove the card as well.

Trin 17:At this point you are free to insert the target microSD card back into the other "target" switch. Since the microSD card is explicitly formatted for this switch, it should work immediately.

Trin 18:Now you should be able to see all the screenshots and videos you transferred by selecting the album icon of the target contact on the home page. You'll be happy to see all your new photos and videos showing up there.

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