What size microSD card is best for Nintendo Switch?
Best answer:The amount of memory you need depends on how many Switch games you buy and whether they are physical or digital copies. We recommend a microSD card of no less than 64GB for either format, but anyone who only buys digital games should invest in a larger one.
How much internal storage does the Nintendo Switch have?
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The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite only offer 32 GB of internal storage, while theChange the OLEDisn't much better with only 64 GB. It's a bit of a problem because many of thembest Nintendo Switch gamesrequires 10+ GB of space.
For example,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the WildInPokémon sword and shieldtake up 13.4 GB and 10.3 GB of space respectively. After about three major Switch games on Switch or Switch Lite, you quickly run out of space. Things aren't much better on the Switch OLED, as you run out of space after about six big games.
If you mainly buy digital games or buy a lot of physical copies, you'll want a bigger onemicro SD cardno matter what system you have. If you buy physical copies it will take a little longer to run out of space, but if you plan on playing more Switch games you'll soon need a microSD card.
Minimum recommended microSD card size for Nintendo Switch
Our advice is to go for no less than 64GB. This comfortable size allows you to store a few large games of about 14 GB each, a few medium games of about half the space, and a few smaller games to fill the bottom.
You should expect thatDelete, archive and reinstall Nintendo Switch gamesin that format sometime in the future. You'll be fine, as long as you're okay with regularly downloading your games while they're running through your playlist. Don't forget that you can use the internal and external storage at the same time, so keep in mind that it has 96 GB! Of course, if you plan on playing more Switch games, we'd recommend going bigger than that.
The correct microSD card format for digital Switch games
Consider itNintendo switchgames are launching every week with increasingly larger file sizes, anyone who prefers to download digital games should try to aim for the largest microSD card they can afford. We highly recommend purchasing a 256 GB card. It has space to store a lot of saved data, screenshots and videos.
If you have all the games in the world and want to play them right away, you'll want to look at something much bigger, like a 512GB card for maximum storage.
The correct microSD card size for physical Switch games
The Nintendo Switch is one of the few game consoles that does not install game data when you use physical media (cartridges). As such, the 32GB internal storage could be more than enough if you only plan on buying a few physical copies here and there.
If you plan on buying a physical copy of almost every major title Nintendo releases, you'll run out of internal storage on the Switch and will want to invest in a large microSD card. I like the SanDisk 128GB card because it allowed me to purchase and play multiple physical versions of Switch games without having to archive or delete anything.
Officially licensed microSD cards
Nintendo partnered with SanDisk to produceofficially licensed microSD cards for Switch. These include a wide variety of cards with different game designs on them. There's a 64GB card with a Zelda logo on it, a 128GB card with a Mario mushroom, and if you really want a lot of space, there's a 512GB card with an Animal Crossing sheet on it.
These officially licensed SanDisk microSD cards are commonly sold at popular retailers such as Amazon and Best Buy. The Mario 128GB card in particular is often sold at a reasonable price that is lower than that of other competitors of the same size.
Tips for buying a reliable microSD card
There are hundreds of memory cards for sale on the internet, but that doesn't mean you should go for the cheapest option available. Cheaper cards may contain malware or not work as well as others. To protect yourself, buy only from trusted sellers and check the reviews of a microSD card before making a purchasing decision. We strongly recommend that you purchase memory cards from the following brands:
- Samsung
- SanDisk
- Lexar
- PNY
- pioneer
- Silicon makes
Transfer game data from one microSD card to another
Unfortunately, the process regardingtransfer your game data from one microSD card to anotheris not the most intuitive. Whether you're expanding your storage space or simply want to use a different memory card, you'll need a computer to make this transfer possible. Although it is not easy, it is possible if you follow the right steps.
MicroSD card available for Nintendo Switch
Since the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite only have 32GB of internal memory and the Switch OLED isn't much better at 64GB, you'll need to buy a microSD card if you plan to buy several major Switch titles. If you tend to buy more digital versions, you'll need a larger microSD card, while those who buy cartridges won't need as large a memory card to get the job done.
SanDisk 256GB microSD-kaart
Fast, solid and balanced.
This SanDisk card won't break the bank. Its size for the price makes it a great value and offers a balance between speed and capacity.
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Rebecca Speer
Game editor
Game enthusiast Rebecca Spear is iMore's dedicated games editor, focusing on Nintendo Switch and iOS games. You'll never catch her without her Switch or her iPad Air. If you have a question about Pokémon, The Legend of Zelda, or almost any other Nintendo series, check out her guides to help you. Rebecca has written thousands of articles over the past six years, including hundreds of in-depth gaming guides, previews, and reviews for both Switch and Apple Arcade. She also loves trying out new gaming accessories like iPhone controllers and has a listening ear when it comes to discussing the next big trend.
With contributions from
- Alex HuebnerContributor
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