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Insert a compatible microSD card into your Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED Model, then download the digital game through Nintendo eShop. With a card inserted, the console uses it by default for downloadable software. Game saves remain in system memory and cannot be copied to the card.
Check your Switch model and card before downloading
This guide applies to Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch – OLED Model. Nintendo Switch 2 has different requirements: it uses microSD Express cards, so do not assume a card compatible with the original Switch family will work for game storage on Switch 2. Nintendo’s microSD Card FAQ lists the formats and specifications for the original Switch family.
Nintendo lists support for these card types and capacities:
| Card type | Capacity listed for Switch | Note |
|---|---|---|
| microSD | Up to 2 GB | Fits the console’s microSD slot. |
| microSDHC | 4 GB to 32 GB | Fits the console’s microSD slot. |
| microSDXC | 64 GB to 2 TB | A system update is required to use microSDXC. |
Nintendo recommends a UHS-I card with a transfer speed of 60–95 MB/sec. The capacity you need depends on the games and downloadable content you want to keep installed; check each digital game’s storage requirement in eShop before buying it. Nintendo’s card FAQ and its Data Management FAQ explain compatibility and storage requirements.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Incredible speeds in a microSD card officially licensed for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo OLED, and Nintendo Switch Lite systems
- Spend less time waiting and more time playing with read speeds up to 100MB/s(1) and write speeds up to 90MB/s(1).
- Instantly add up to 256GB (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Store your downloaded games, screenshots and video captures in 1 place so you can travel light.
Download a digital game to the microSD card
- Insert the card. Open the microSD slot on the console, insert the card, and close the slot. Follow Nintendo’s instructions for your model if you need help locating it.
- Open Nintendo eShop from the HOME Menu. Select the user profile linked to the Nintendo Account that purchased the game.
- Find the game. If buying it, review its listed storage requirement before completing the purchase. If you already own it, redownload it from your account’s eShop history or the title’s eShop page.
- Start the download. With the card inserted, downloadable software downloads to the microSD card by default. Nintendo’s downloadable software management guide covers downloading and redownloading titles.
Full-size SD and miniSD cards do not fit the Switch’s slot; the format is microSD. Nintendo does not support external USB hard drives as additional Switch storage. Nintendo’s microSD Card FAQ has the card-format details.
Move an installed game from system memory to the card
If the game is already installed in system memory, you can move eligible software data through the console settings:
Rank #2
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
- From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.
- Select Data Management.
- Select Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
- Choose the software data to move, then select OK.
This moves eligible software data, not save data. Some update data cannot be moved. The setting does not let you choose a different destination for future downloads; an inserted microSD card remains the default for downloadable software. Nintendo also notes that after software is played following a move, update data may be saved in a different location. See Nintendo’s transfer instructions for the available options.
Know what the microSD card can and cannot store
The card can hold downloadable software, software update data, DLC, screenshots, and captured videos. Game save data stays in system memory, whether the game is downloaded or played from a game card. Nintendo states: “Game save data is stored to the System Memory and cannot be copied or saved to a microSD card.” See the microSD Card FAQ and Data Management FAQ.
Rank #3
- 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.
If storage is tight, you can archive or delete downloaded software while preserving its save data, then redownload the software later. With a microSD card inserted, Nintendo says a redownload goes to the card by default. Nintendo’s downloadable software management guide describes these options.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible with Nintendo Switch (NOT Nintendo Switch 2). Always check your device's max supported capacity.
- Reliable Real-World Capacity - Labeled Capacities/Usable Capacities: 64GB/≥58GB; 128GB/≥116GB; 256GB/≥232GB; 512GB/≥465GB; 1TB/≥908GB (Due to OS formatting and binary/decimal calculation differences)
- 4K & Full HD Ready — Optimized for high-bitrate video recording and burst-mode photography. Handles RAW files, time-lapse sequences, and smooth 4K UHD playback without lag or frame drops.
- UHS-I U3 + A2 Certified Speed — Up to 100MB/s read speed (lab-tested); meets Video Speed Class V30 and Application Class A2 for fast app loading, responsive multitasking, and reliable performance on Android devices.
- Built for Adventure — Shock-resistant, IPX6 water-resistant, and rated for extreme temperatures (−10°C to +80°C). Also resistant to X-rays and magnetic fields — ideal for travel, outdoor use, and dashcams.
Rank #4
- [Gaming Series] Especially designed for Gaming Consoles. A1 spec enables high speed data transfer for game professionals
- [Ultra HD] Read/Write up to 100/60 MB/s. UltraHD video displaying/recording
- [Compatibility] Storage for Laptop, Tablet, PC, Smartphones, Camera, e-Reader. Files, Videos, Music [Notice] Compatible with Nintendo Switch 1; not compatible for gaming with Nintendo Switch 2
- [Environment] Waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof and X-Ray proof
- [Support] Gigastone 5-year limited warranty
If the game does not appear on the card
- The game was installed before you inserted the card: Existing software does not necessarily move automatically. Use System Settings → Data Management → Move Data Between System / microSD Card for eligible software.
- The card is not recognized: Confirm it is a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card supported by your Switch model. For microSDXC, install the required system update.
- The card is full or the game needs more space: Check the title’s storage requirement in eShop. Archive or delete software you can redownload, or move eligible software data to a card with available capacity.
- You are replacing a card: Nintendo recommends one microSD card per console. Its migration method uses both cards and a PC card slot or commercially available microSD reader/writer. Copy the entire folder, and do not alter or delete the original card until you have verified the replacement. If some software cannot be read from the new card, Nintendo says it can be redownloaded from eShop. Follow Nintendo’s microSD migration guide.
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