Can I Download Switch Games to SD Card?
If you own a Nintendo Switch, you probably know that you can play games either from physical game cards or from digital downloads. But did you know that you can also download or transfer your games to an SD card? This can be very useful if you want to save some space on your system memory, switch between different games easily, or have more storage for your growing game library.
In this article, we will show you how you can download Switch games to SD card, what you need to know before doing so, and which SD cards are best for your gaming needs.
can i download switch games to sd card
Why You Might Want to Download Switch Games to SD Card
There are several reasons why you might want to download Switch games to SD card instead of keeping them on your system memory or game cards.
Save system memory: The Nintendo Switch has only 32GB of internal storage, which can fill up quickly if you download many games from the Nintendo eShop. By downloading your games to an SD card, you can free up some space on your system memory for other data, such as save data, screenshots, videos, or updates.
Transfer games easily: If you have more than one Switch console or you want to upgrade your console, you can easily transfer your games from one device to another by using an SD card. You don't have to redownload your games or worry about losing your progress.
Have more storage space: Depending on the size of your SD card, you can have much more storage space for your games than your system memory or game cards. You can download hundreds of games without running out of room.
How to How to Download Switch Games to SD Card
If you want to download Switch games to SD card from the Nintendo eShop, you need to make sure that you have a compatible SD card inserted in your console and that you have enough space on it for the game you want to download. Here are the steps to follow:
Turn off your Switch console and insert your SD card into the microSD card slot at the back of the console. You may need to open the stand to access the slot.
Turn on your Switch console and go to the Nintendo eShop from the home menu.
Select the game you want to download and tap on "Purchase". You may need to enter your Nintendo account details and payment information.
After confirming your purchase, tap on "Download". The game will start downloading to your SD card automatically.
Once the download is complete, you can launch the game from the home menu or from the game card slot if you have a physical copy of the game.
How to Transfer Switch Games from System Memory to SD Card
If you already have some games downloaded on your system memory and you want to transfer them to your SD card, you can do so by using the data management feature on your console. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to "System Settings" from the home menu and select "Data Management".
Select "Move Data Between System / microSD Card".
Select "Move to microSD Card".
Select the games you want to transfer and tap on "Move Data". You can select multiple games by pressing and holding the A button.
Wait for the transfer to complete. The games will be moved from your system memory to your SD card and you can launch them from there.
How to Transfer Switch Games from One SD Card to Another
If you want to transfer Switch games from one SD card to another, you can do so by using a computer and a microSD card reader. This can be useful if you want to upgrade your SD card or if you have multiple SD cards for different games. Here are the steps to follow:
Turn off your Switch console and remove the SD card that contains the games you want to transfer.
Insert the SD card into a microSD card reader and connect it to your computer.
Open the SD card folder on your computer and copy all the files and folders inside it. You can use Ctrl+A to select all and Ctrl+C to copy.
Eject the SD card from your computer and insert the new SD card into the microSD card reader.
Format the new SD card for the Switch by right-clicking on it and selecting "Format". Choose "FAT32" or "exFAT" as the file system and click on "Start". Be careful not to format any other drive by mistake.
Open the new SD card folder on your computer and paste all the files and folders that you copied from the old SD card. You can use Ctrl+V to paste.
Eject the new SD card from your computer and insert it into your Switch console.
Turn on your Switch console and launch the games from your new SD card.
What You Need to Know Before Downloading Switch Games to SD Card
Before you start downloading Switch games to SD card, there are some important things you need to know and consider. These include the compatibility, speed, format, and backup of your Switch games and SD cards.
Compatibility of Switch Games and SD Cards
Not all Switch games and SD cards are compatible with each other. Some games may require a certain amount of system memory to run, even if you download them to an SD card. For example, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate requires 1.2GB of system memory, regardless of where you store the game data. You can check the game's product page on the Nintendo eShop or the game's packaging to see if it has any system memory requirements.
Similarly, not all SD cards are compatible with the Switch. The Switch supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards, with a maximum capacity of 2TB. However, you may need to perform a system update to use microSDXC cards. You can check the compatibility of your SD card by looking at its label or packaging. The Switch also supports different speed classes of SD cards, such as UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed), which can affect the loading and performance of your games.
Speed of Switch Games on SD Card
The speed of your Switch games on SD card depends on several factors, such as the type and size of your SD card, the speed class of your SD card, and the game itself. Generally speaking, the larger and faster your SD card is, the better it will perform for your games. However, this is not always the case, as some games may load faster or slower on different storage devices.
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According to some tests conducted by , there is not much difference in loading and performance speed between Switch games on system memory, game card, or SD card. However, some games may benefit from using a faster SD card, such as UHS-1 or UHS-3, which can reduce loading times by a few seconds. You can check the speed class of your SD card by looking at its label or packaging. A higher number means a faster speed.
Format of Switch Games and SD Cards
The format of your Switch games and SD cards refers to how they are organized and recognized by your console. The Switch uses a proprietary format for its games and SD cards, which means that they can only be used with the Switch and not with other devices. This also means that you need to format your SD card for the Switch before you can use it.
To format your SD card for the Switch, you need to insert it into your console and go to "System Settings" > "Data Management" > "Format microSD Card". This will erase all the data on your SD card and make it compatible with the Switch. Be careful not to format any other device by mistake.
If you want to use your SD card with another device, such as a computer or a smartphone, you need to reformat it using that device. However, this will also erase all the data on your SD card and make it incompatible with the Switch. You will need to format it again for the Switch if you want to use it for your games.
Backup of Switch Games and Save Data
One of the most important things you need to know before downloading Switch games to SD card is how to backup your games and save data. This is because if you lose or damage your SD card, you may lose all your games and progress along with it. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you backup your games and save data on the cloud or on another device regularly.
To backup your games and save data on the cloud, you need to have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, which costs $19.99 per year for an individual plan or $34.99 per year for a family plan. This will allow you to use the cloud save data feature, which automatically uploads your save data to the cloud whenever you are connected to the internet. You can also manually upload or download your save data from the cloud by going to "System Settings" > "Data Management" > "Save Data Cloud". This way, you can access your save data from any Switch console that is linked to your Nintendo account.
To backup your games and save data on another device, such as a computer or another SD card, you need to use a microSD card reader and follow the steps we mentioned earlier in this article. However, this will only backup your game data and not your save data, as save data is stored on the system memory and not on the SD card. You will still need to use the cloud save data feature or or transfer your save data to another Switch console using the data management feature if you want to backup your save data on another device.
Best SD Cards for Switch Games
Now that you know how to download Switch games to SD card and what you need to know before doing so, you may be wondering which SD cards are best for your Switch games. There are many SD cards available on the market, but not all of them are suitable for your gaming needs. You need to consider factors such as capacity, speed, price, and reliability when choosing an SD card for your Switch games.
To help you out, we have selected some of the best SD cards for Switch games based on these criteria. Here are our top picks:
SanDisk 128GB microSD card - Mario theme
If you are a fan of Mario and his friends, you will love this SD card from SanDisk. It has a capacity of 128GB, which can store up to 24 Switch games, depending on their size. It also has a speed class of UHS-1, which means it can load and perform your games fast and smoothly. Moreover, it has a cute Mario-themed design that matches your Switch console and accessories.
This SD card is officially licensed by Nintendo and comes with a 10-year limited warranty. You can buy it from for $24.99.
Samsung EVO Select 256GB microSD card
If you need more storage space for your Switch games, you can opt for this SD card from Samsung. It has a capacity of 256GB, which can store up to 48 Switch games, depending on their size. It also has a speed class of UHS-3, which means it can load and perform your games even faster and smoother than UHS-1 cards. Additionally, it has a durable and waterproof design that protects your data from damage.
This SD card is compatible with the Switch and other devices and comes with a 10-year limited warranty. You can buy it from for $29.99.
Lexar Professional 1000x 512GB microSD card
If you want the ultimate storage space for your Switch games, you can go for this SD card from Lexar. It has a capacity of 512GB, which can store up to 96 Switch games, depending on their size. It also has a speed class of UHS-3, which means it can load and perform your games at the highest speed and quality possible. Furthermore, it has a professional-grade design that ensures high performance and reliability.
This SD card is compatible with the Switch and other devices and comes with a lifetime limited warranty. You can buy it from for $69.99.
Conclusion
Downloading Switch games to SD card is a great way to enjoy your gaming experience on the Nintendo Switch. You can save system memory, transfer games easily, and have more storage space for your games. However, you need to know how to download or transfer your games to SD card, what factors to consider before doing so, and which SD cards are best for your games.
We hope this article has helped you learn everything you need to know about downloading Switch games to SD card. Now you can start downloading or transferring your favorite games to your SD card and play them anytime, anywhere.
If you have any questions or comments about this topic, feel free to leave them below. We would love to hear from you!
FAQs
Can I play Switch games from an SD card without internet?
Yes, you can play Switch games from an SD card without internet as long as the game does not require an online connection or update. However, some features or modes may not be available offline.
Can I use multiple SD cards for different Switch games?
Yes, you can use multiple SD cards for different Switch games by swapping them in and out of your console. However, you need to make sure that each SD card is formatted for the Switch and that you don't lose or damage them.
Can I share my Switch games on an SD card with another console or user?
No, you cannot share your Switch games on an SD card with another console or user. The games on your SD card are linked to your Nintendo account and console and cannot be played on another device or by another user.
Can I delete or uninstall Switch games from an SD card?Can I delete or uninstall Switch games from an SD card?
Yes, you can delete or uninstall Switch games from an SD card if you want to free up some space or remove unwanted games. To do so, you need to go to "System Settings" > "Data Management" > "Delete Software". You can select the games you want to delete and tap on "Delete Software". This will erase the game data from your SD card but not your save data, which is stored on the system memory.
Can I recover Switch games and save data from a lost or damaged SD card?
If you lose or damage your SD card, you may be able to recover your Switch games and save data from the cloud or another device. If you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership, you can download your save data from the cloud to another console that is linked to your Nintendo account. If you have a backup of your game data on another device, such as a computer or another SD card, you can transfer it to a new SD card and insert it into your console. However, if you don't have any backup or cloud save data, you may not be able to recover your games and progress.
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