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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →With both consoles available, use Nintendo’s local system transfer during Switch 2 setup. If you only need your purchased digital games, sign in with the Nintendo Account that bought them and download them again; insert physical game cards directly. Save data is separate from game access, so transfer it or restore a supported cloud backup if you want your progress.
Choose the transfer route that fits your situation
| Route | Best for | Old Switch needed? | Main caveat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local system transfer | Moving your setup while both consoles are available | Yes | Review the source-console warnings during setup. |
| Server system transfer | Moving to Switch 2 when you will hand off the old console | Needed to start the upload; not to retrieve it later | Initializes the old Switch; retrieve the upload by the deadline shown for your transfer, within Nintendo’s retention period of up to one year. |
| Account sign-in and redownload | Getting purchased digital games onto Switch 2 | No | Does not restore save data by itself. |
| Nearby save-data transfer | Moving selected game saves | Yes | Requires nearby consoles and removes the transferred save from the source. |
| Cloud Save Data Backup | Restoring supported saves after a backup exists | No, once the backup exists | Requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and support for the game. |
| Physical game card | Playing a game you own on card | No | Compatibility varies; the card itself is not copied to the console. |
Move everything while you have both consoles
Nintendo recommends local system transfer when the original Switch will remain available. Start the transfer during Switch 2’s initial setup, keep both systems nearby, and connect to the internet when prompted. Install a system update if setup requests one. The transfer carries users and settings, account links, friends, play activity, and other data; digital software downloads to Switch 2 after setup and needs internet access. Follow each on-screen warning on the source Switch, particularly if other people share it. Nintendo’s system-transfer guide explains the setup.
Use server transfer if the old Switch will be handed off
If you will sell, trade, or otherwise stop using the old console, Nintendo’s server-transfer option uploads its data so it can be retrieved on Switch 2 later. You need a Nintendo Account, and you must start the upload from the original Switch. Starting it initializes that console and restores factory settings, so make sure every user of a shared Switch understands the consequences before proceeding. Nintendo retains uploaded data for up to one year; the specific download deadline appears during setup and later in Nintendo Account settings. Retrieve the upload by that displayed deadline. See Nintendo’s system-transfer instructions and its system-transfer FAQ.
Get purchased digital games without transferring the old console
Digital purchases are associated with the Nintendo Account that bought them. Sign in to that same account on Switch 2, open Nintendo eShop, and redownload the games. This restores access to purchased software, not the game’s save: progress must be available through a save transfer or backup. Nintendo’s redownload instructions cover downloading purchased games again.
#1 Best Overall
- Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
- Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.
Play physical Switch game cards
Insert the Nintendo Switch game card into Switch 2 and launch it, provided the title is compatible. System transfer does not copy the contents of a physical card. If a game will not start or has gameplay problems, check Nintendo’s current compatibility information for that specific title.
Move save data separately
Game access and saved progress are different. Pick the save route based on what you can access and whether the game supports cloud saves.
Rank #2
- NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
- READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future products with a PCIe-NVMe interface; performs at UHS-I speeds with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
- EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards [9]. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in less than 3.5 seconds [1]; save up to 2.8 minutes transferring 60 minutes of 4K UHD video [4] shot at 30 fps when paired with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [9]
- DURABILITY YOU CAN COUNT ON: Cards are waterproof, temperature-proof, humidity-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof, magnetic-proof, x-ray proof, and wear-out proof [5].
- HEAT MANAGEMENT REIMAGINED. SanDisk ThermAdapt helps keep devices from overheating with a specially designed enclosure and controller that uses dynamic adaptive thermal management.
Transfer a selected save between nearby consoles
- On the original Switch, open System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data.
- Follow the prompts to send the selected save from the old console and receive it on Switch 2. Keep both consoles nearby, connect them to the internet, and use users linked to the same Nintendo Account.
Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required for this nearby transfer. Nintendo says the save is removed from the source console, so this is a move, not a copy. Nintendo’s nearby save-transfer instructions provide the details.
Restore a cloud save for a supported game
Cloud Save Data Backup requires an active Nintendo Switch Online membership and support for the particular title. Back up the save on the original console, then download it on Switch 2. Check support for the individual game rather than assuming every title can use cloud backup. If the old console is gone and no cloud backup or prior server transfer exists, redownloading the game alone will not recover its progress. Nintendo explains the feature in its save-data backup and restore guide.
Rank #3
- TRANSFER SPEEDS UP TO 800 MB/S: With sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, get into your game up to 4× faster than our standard microSD cards (UHS I)¹.
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: Keeps its cool even when the action heats up. Dynamic Thermal Guard helps reduce overheating for fast, smooth gameplay.
- ALL YOUR GAMES ON ONE TINY CARD: Store all your games and downloadable content (DLCs) with up to 512GB of reliable storage. No deleting. No compromises.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Built to last, made for peace of mind. Anything can happen when you’re gaming on the go. With 6 types of protection²⁻⁹, the P9 Express can handle it all—helping maintain your game progress.
- NEXT-GEN AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Your microSD Express card is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2¹⁰ and microSD UHS-I¹¹ devices, including tablets, drones, cameras and more.
Use digital games on both consoles
Nintendo’s virtual-game-card system lets a digital game be ejected from one supported console and loaded onto another. A Nintendo Account can pair up to two systems for virtual game cards. An online-license setting can support play on additional systems, but starting a game requires a successful online check. Neither loading a virtual game card nor using it on another console moves its save data; handle saves separately using a nearby transfer or supported cloud backup. See Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card Guide.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check storage needs and game compatibility
Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards for expandable storage. They are optional, not a prerequisite for transferring games or saves; consider one if you need more room for downloaded software. To check available internal or microSD Express storage, open System Settings > Data Management. Nintendo’s Switch 2 microSD Express FAQ has storage details. For titles that fail to start or behave unexpectedly, consult the compatibility list because support information can change as Nintendo updates it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Read/Write up to 800/650 MB/s, Ultra Fast Gaming Response
- SD 7.1 — Small Card, Giant Leap
- Includes microSD to SD Adapter
- 5-year limited warranty
Rank #4
- Nintendo Switch 2 Micro SD Card; SanDisk
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