iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
To transfer a Witcher 3 save between Nintendo Switch 2 and another supported platform, use the game’s built-in Cross Progression feature. Update the game, connect it to the same CD PROJEKT RED account on both systems, create the save you want to carry forward, and confirm the cloud icon appears beside that save. On the receiving platform, open Load Game to find it. This is an in-game cloud process, not a manual file-copy operation.
Cross Progression exposes the latest save for each save type. Make the exact current save you intend to continue before changing platforms; an older slot will not be useful if a newer slot was uploaded afterward.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System | $499.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 System with Super Mario Galaxy + Super Mario Galaxy 2 Bundle | $568.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Nintendo Switch 2 + Mario Kart World Bundle with Bonus HDMI Cable & Screen Cleaning Cloth | $617.98 | Buy on Amazon |
What you need before transferring
The transfer works only when the source and destination can access The Witcher 3 Cross Progression service. Prepare these items first:
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
- The game updated to the latest patch available for your platform.
- A CD PROJEKT RED account that you can sign in to on both systems.
- The same game account connected through My Rewards on the source and destination.
- A destination installation with compatible edition, expansions, downloadable content, and (if applicable) mods.
- An internet connection while signing in and uploading or downloading the save.
You do not need a transfer cable, SD-card file browser, USB storage device, or a separate save-conversion utility. The documented workflow takes place inside the game.
#1 Best Overall
- The next evolution of Nintendo Switch
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Dock that supports 4K when connected to a compatible TV*
- GameChat** lets you voice chat, share your game screen, and connect via video chat as you play
How Cross Progression works
After you connect the game to your CD PROJEKT RED account, Cross Progression is enabled by default. The feature uploads the latest save for each save type to the cloud. A save becomes available on another platform only after you create it through the Cross Progression control and see the cloud icon beside its name.
Because the service keeps the latest save for each type, first load or play until the precise point you want to preserve, then create that save. Simply connecting an account does not guarantee that an earlier local slot has been uploaded.
Think of the cloud copy as a handoff point rather than a complete mirror of every local slot. The practical safeguard is to make one deliberate transfer save immediately before leaving the source platform. Check its name and the cloud symbol while the source system is still available.
Transfer a save from Nintendo Switch or Switch 2
1. Install the current game update
Start The Witcher 3 on the Nintendo system and look beneath the game title on the main menu. The version shown there should be the latest patch offered for your installation. Update before attempting the account connection or upload. Players who relied on the older GOG or Steam cloud-save integration on the original Nintendo Switch must use Cross Progression introduced in update 4.04 instead.
2. Connect the Nintendo version to your account
- From the main menu, select My Rewards.
- Choose the option to connect a CD PROJEKT RED account.
- Follow the on-screen sign-in or linking instructions.
- Complete any confirmation shown by the game, then return to the main menu.
Use the account that will also be used on the receiving platform. A different account creates a separate cloud profile, so its saves will not appear when you sign in elsewhere. Keep track of the sign-in method you used; signing into a different CD PROJEKT RED account by mistake is one of the easiest ways to make a successful upload look missing.
3. Verify Cross Progression is enabled
Cross Progression normally turns on automatically after account linking. If you need to check it, open Options → Gameplay → Cross Progression. If the setting is unavailable, return to My Rewards and finish the account connection before troubleshooting the save.
4. Create and upload the intended save
- Load the game and reach the point you want to continue on the other platform.
- Open Load Game.
- Use the Cross Progression control displayed at the bottom right of the screen.
- Create a new save from that control.
- Wait for the cloud icon to appear beside the new save’s name.
The cloud icon is the visible confirmation that this particular slot was uploaded. If you make another save later, that newer slot can become the latest save for its type, so repeat the upload process whenever you want to move your progress again. Do not power down or leave the source game until the icon is visible.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Download the save on another platform
1. Update and start the destination installation
Install the current version of The Witcher 3 on the destination system. If the platform offers separate base, GOTY, Complete, or Remastered products, identify which edition you are launching before looking for the save.
2. Connect the same account
- Open My Rewards from the destination game’s main menu.
- Connect the exact CD PROJEKT RED account used on the Nintendo system.
- Complete the on-screen authentication and return to the game.
3. Find the uploaded slot
- Open Load Game.
- Look for the save created with Cross Progression on the source system.
- Select it and allow the destination game to finish loading its content.
Menus can differ slightly by platform or game edition. When labels are different, use the platform’s current equivalents for My Rewards, account linking, Cross Progression, and Load Game; the account and cloud-save sequence remains the same.
Once the save opens, make a new local save on the destination. That gives you a current restore point there and confirms that the destination installation accepted the transferred data. Keep the source console and its local save until this test succeeds.
Can you transfer in the opposite direction?
Yes. The same process works from another platform to Nintendo Switch 2 or an original Switch installation whenever that platform exposes Cross Progression. On the source platform, link the account and create a Cross Progression save. On the Nintendo system, link the same account and retrieve it from Load Game. Always create the desired source save immediately before switching, because the cloud presents the latest save for each type.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Edition and expansion compatibility
Most failed transfers are content mismatches rather than account problems. The destination must be able to interpret the save’s game data.
| Source save | Destination installation | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Base-game save | Complete Edition | Loads in the Complete Edition, provided the installation is functioning normally. |
| Complete Edition save | Base game without every required expansion and DLC | Will not load unless the destination installation includes all expansions and downloadable content used by the save. |
| Local console save from base product | Separate GOTY or Complete console product | Local saves are treated as belonging to different products and are not directly compatible. Use Cross Progression to continue a base-version save. |
| Save containing expansion content | Installation missing that content | Loading can fail or the save can be rejected until the required expansions and DLC are installed. |
A Complete Edition installation is generally the safer destination for a base-game save. The reverse is not true: a base installation cannot load a Complete Edition save unless it has every expansion and DLC needed by that slot.
Rank #2
- The next evolution of the Nintendo Switch system
- One system, three play modes: TV, Tabletop, and Handheld
- Larger, vivid, 7.9” LCD touch screen with support for HDR and up to 120 fps
- Supports up to 4K resolution** when using a compatible game and TV connected via the included Nintendo Switch 2 dock
- Nintendo Switch 2 plays compatible physical and digital Nintendo Switch games.***
Edition names can be confusing because a platform may show a separate product tile for the base game, GOTY edition, or Complete Edition. Check the actual product you launch, not merely the console family. Local console saves from those separate products are treated as different products even when the story content overlaps.
Mods and Cross Progression
Modded saves require extra discipline. CD PROJEKT RED’s guidance is that both platforms should have the same enabled mod set. A destination missing a mod, using an incompatible version, or enabling a different combination can prevent the save from loading correctly.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11Before uploading a modded save
- Write down the enabled mods and their versions on the source platform.
- Install the same set on the destination, where that platform supports them.
- Do not remove a content-changing mod between upload and download unless the game’s own documentation says the save is safe without it.
- If the destination cannot use the required mods, make a separate unmodded save on the source before transferring.
Platform restrictions can make an identical mod setup impossible. In that case, treat the save as platform-specific rather than assuming Cross Progression will sanitize its contents. A save that loads on the source is not automatically safe on a destination with fewer mod capabilities.
Switch 2 and the Remastered version
CD PROJEKT RED’s FAQ says existing Witcher 3 saves are compatible with the Remastered version, but the skill overhaul resets skills. That means a transferred save may retain its story and world progress while requiring you to allocate skills again under the revised system.
The same FAQ describes the Nintendo Switch 2 Remastered version as something Switch owners can claim for free once released. Release timing and regional eligibility can change, so check the current platform announcement and store listing before relying on that entitlement. Do not assume that every region or account has access at the same time.
Remastered compatibility does not remove the normal account and content checks. Link the same CD PROJEKT RED account, make the cloud-confirmed save on the source, and verify that the destination edition includes the expansions used by that save.
If the save does not appear
Check the account first
Confirm that both installations show the same CD PROJEKT RED account under My Rewards. Being signed in to the same Nintendo, PlayStation, Xbox, Steam, or other platform profile is not enough if the game accounts differ.
Confirm that the source slot was uploaded
Return to the source system, open Load Game, and inspect the save created through the Cross Progression control. The cloud icon must be beside the slot. A normal local save without that icon has not been confirmed as uploaded.
Check the game edition and content
Compare the source and destination editions, then install the expansions and DLC used by the save. A Complete or GOTY console product is treated as a separate product from the base game for local saves, and missing content can block loading.
Update both installations
Install the latest patch shown by each platform. On Nintendo, the version is displayed beneath the title on the main menu. Older Switch cloud-save integrations do not replace Cross Progression; update 4.04 introduced the required feature for carrying those saves forward.
Review mods
If the save uses mods, match the enabled set on both platforms. Temporarily removing or changing mods can make a previously valid save fail to load, so test with the same configuration used when the source save was created.
Allow for a fresh account session
After correcting an account or content mismatch, close and restart the game, reconnect through My Rewards, and check Load Game again. This refreshes the game’s account session without requiring a manual file transfer.
What if you no longer have the old console?
If the old console still works, use it to enable Cross Progression and upload the save. The console itself is needed because the local slot must be opened and saved through the game before the cloud can receive it.
Rank #3
- 【Ultimate Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle – Ready to Play】Includes the complete Nintendo Switch 2 console and a full-game download of Mario Kart World, so you can start racing right out of the box. Perfect for gamers of all ages and playstyles.
- 【Next-Gen Hybrid Gaming with Stunning Visuals】Experience a vivid 7.9‑inch 1080p LCD touchscreen with HDR support, and enjoy 4K TV output at up to 60 fps when docked — for immersive gameplay at home or on the go.
- 【Versatile 3 Play Modes】Seamlessly switch between Handheld, Tabletop, and TV modes — all featuring intuitive controls and smooth performance, wherever you choose to play.
- 【Enhanced Social Gaming with GameChat & Multiplayer】Connect with friends locally, enjoy online multiplayer with up to 24 players, and use voice chat via GameChat (internet connection and Nintendo Switch Online membership required after trial period).
- 【Powerful Storage & Joy‑Con 2 Controllers】Includes 256 GB internal storage (expandable with microSD), magnetic Joy‑Con 2 controllers, docking station, HDMI cable, AC adapter, grip, and straps — everything you need for the ultimate gaming setup.
If Cross Progression was never used and the old console is no longer accessible, CD PROJEKT RED says its support team cannot assist with retrieving those saves. A save that remained only on the inaccessible device has no documented recovery route through the account service.
Recommended Free Tools
Common situations and the right response
| Situation | Recommended action |
|---|---|
| You are moving from original Switch to Switch 2. | Update the original game, link the account through My Rewards, create a Cross Progression save, then use the same account and Load Game on Switch 2. |
| You used GOG or Steam cloud integration on the old Switch version. | Update to a version supporting Cross Progression (introduced in 4.04) and upload the save through the in-game control. |
| The destination is Complete Edition. | A base-game save should load; verify the destination is fully updated. |
| The destination is base game and the source is Complete Edition. | Install every expansion and DLC required by the save, or use a Complete installation. |
| The source and destination have different mod sets. | Match the enabled mods or create an unmodded source save that the destination can support. |
| You cannot access the old console and never uploaded the save. | The documented support position is that the save cannot be retrieved through CD PROJEKT RED. |
Best practices before switching platforms
- Play to the exact point you want, then make a fresh save specifically for the transfer.
- Check for the cloud icon before shutting down the source system.
- Record the CD PROJEKT RED account email or sign-in method used by the source.
- Confirm the destination edition and expansion/DLC installation first.
- Keep mod configurations identical when moving a modded save.
- Keep the source console until the destination save has loaded successfully.
- After loading on the destination, create a new local save there so you have a current restore point on that platform.
- If you plan to move back and forth, repeat the deliberate Cross Progression save process each time instead of assuming every local save is synchronized.
Key points to remember
Cross Progression is the supported bridge between Nintendo Switch 2 and other platforms. The essential sequence is: update the source, link the CD PROJEKT RED account through My Rewards, create a save using the Cross Progression control, verify its cloud icon, then link the same account on the destination and retrieve the slot from Load Game. Edition, expansion, DLC, and mod compatibility determine whether the destination can open the save. If the only copy remained on an inaccessible console and was never uploaded, the documented recovery option does not exist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a transfer cable or SD card required?
No. Cross Progression is an in-game cloud workflow. You need the updated game, an internet connection for account and cloud access, and the same CD PROJEKT RED account on both platforms. There is no documented requirement for a cable, USB drive, SD-card file browser, or separate conversion tool.
Will connecting my account upload every old save automatically?
Do not assume it will. After linking the account, open Load Game, use the Cross Progression control at the bottom right, and create the save you want to move. The cloud icon beside that new slot is the confirmation that it was uploaded.
Which save reaches the destination if I have several slots?
Cross Progression exposes the latest save for each save type. Make the exact slot you intend to continue immediately before switching platforms. If you create a newer save afterward, that newer save can become the latest one for its type.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsCan a base-game save load in Complete Edition?
Yes, a base-game save can load in Complete Edition. The reverse is restricted: a Complete Edition save will not load in a base installation unless that installation contains every expansion and DLC used by the save.
Why is my local base-game save missing from a GOTY or Complete product?
Console editions are treated as separate products for local saves. A base-game local slot is not directly compatible with a separate GOTY or Complete product. Use Cross Progression to carry the base-version save between supported installations.
What should I do with a modded save?
Use the same enabled mod set on both platforms, including compatible versions where applicable. A destination missing a required mod or using a different combination may fail to load the save. If the destination cannot support the mods, create a separate unmodded save before uploading.
Can I transfer from another platform back to Switch 2?
Yes, when the source platform supports Cross Progression. Create and cloud-confirm the save on the source, connect the same CD PROJEKT RED account on Switch 2, and retrieve it from Load Game.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What if I no longer own the old console?
If Cross Progression was already used, sign in with the same account on the destination and look in Load Game. If the old console is inaccessible and the save was never uploaded through Cross Progression, CD PROJEKT RED says it cannot assist with retrieving that local save.
Are existing saves compatible with the Remastered version?
CD PROJEKT RED’s FAQ says existing saves are compatible, but the skill overhaul resets skills. Story and world progress may carry over while skills must be assigned again. Check the current Switch 2 release and regional eligibility before relying on a free-upgrade claim.
What is the fastest fix when the cloud save is not visible?
Verify the exact CD PROJEKT RED account under My Rewards on both systems, confirm the source slot has the cloud icon, compare editions and installed expansions or DLC, update both games, and match mod sets. Restart the game after correcting an account or content mismatch, then check Load Game again.
The Bottom Line
Use Cross Progression, not a manual file copy: update the source, link the same CD PROJEKT RED account through My Rewards, create the intended save with the Cross Progression control, verify its cloud icon, and open Load Game on the destination. Match the game edition, expansions, DLC, and mods, and keep the old console until the transferred save opens successfully.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
