On Nintendo Switch 2, insert a compatible microSD Express card, then go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / SD Express Card. Choose where to move the software data, select a game, and follow the on-screen prompts. This moves software data—not save data.
Move game software on Nintendo Switch 2
- Use a microSD Express card. Check for the microSD Express logo; Nintendo Support Japan lists supported capacity up to 2 TB, with no year stated on its page. Nintendo’s card guidance explains the card type and capacity. If you insert the card while the console is on, Nintendo’s setup guidance says to restart the console afterward: Start Using the MicroSD Express Card.
- From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.
- Select Data Management, then Move Data Between System / SD Express Card.
- Choose Move to SD Express Card to move software data from system memory, or Move to System Memory to move it back.
- Select the software you want to move and follow the on-screen instructions.
Menu wording can vary with system language or software version. Nintendo’s official guidance confirms that software data can be moved between system memory and microSD Express; follow the labels shown on your console.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Samsung microSD Express Card – 256GB for Nintendo Switch™ 2 | $59.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
SANDISK 512GB microSD Express Card | $129.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
SANDISK 512GB microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 | $144.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
SANDISK 256GB microSD Express Card | $58.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
SANDISK 1TB microSD Express Card | $359.99 | Buy on Amazon |
What moves—and what does not
Software data can move
The command transfers software data, including downloaded game data, between system memory and the microSD Express card.
Save data stays in system memory
This process does not move game saves or progress to the card. Save data remains in the console’s system memory.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#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.
Some update data may not follow the game
Nintendo notes that some update data cannot be moved. After software updates, data may also be stored somewhere other than the destination you selected.
Can you use an old Switch microSD card in Switch 2?
Not as Switch 2 game storage if it is an ordinary, non-Express microSD card. Switch 2 requires microSD Express for software storage; the original Switch’s microSD compatibility does not carry over to Switch 2. Nintendo’s original Switch data-management instructions cover moving software between system memory and a microSD card on that console.
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.
There is a separate way to import screenshots and videos from a non-Express card previously used in a Switch. That is media import, not a way to move installed games onto Switch 2. Nintendo describes it in its Switch 2 system-transfer guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Move games on the original Nintendo Switch
On the original Switch, open System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card. Choose the direction, select software, and follow the prompts. This is a separate menu route from Switch 2, and an ordinary microSD card that works on the original console is not thereby compatible as Switch 2 game storage.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC 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 & 11Quick Recap
Best Value
- NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
- READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future superspeed products with PCIe-NVMe interfaces and performs at UHS-I speeds when used with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
- EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 3.5X times faster read speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards[3] with up to 880 MB/s[2] transfer speeds.
- MASSIVE TIME-SAVER. Transfer up to 60 minutes of 4K UHD video[4] shot at 30 fps in just less than 15 seconds[9] and up to 1,000 10MP RAW photos in less than 50 seconds[8] when paired with SANDISK PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [1TB model[1]].
- 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]
Rank #4
- 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.
Rank #3
- EPIC WORLDS, LOADED INSTANTLY. From the Mushroom Kingdom to Hyrule, your card delivers read speeds up to 880 MB/s[2] and write speeds up to 650 MB/s[2].
- OFFICIALLY READY FOR NINTENDO SWITCH 2. Officially licensed for Nintendo Switch 2, this microSD Express card offers dependable, high-performance storage.
- CAPTURE IN STUNNING CLARITY. Capture screenshots and record short video clips of your gameplay in Full HD.
- ROOM FOR YOUR ADVENTURES. With capacities up to 512GB[1], your card gives you the freedom to store your digital games in one place.
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.
