The Tool Desk
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Delete software without deleting your game progress
- From the HOME Menu, open System Settings > Data Management > Quick Delete.
- Review the software listed and select a game you are willing to remove from the console.
- Confirm the deletion. Nintendo says software can be downloaded again, and its save data is unaffected. Nintendo’s Switch 2 Data Management FAQ explains that you can resume progress after redownloading the software.
On Switch 2, update data and downloadable content (DLC) cannot be deleted separately from the software they belong to. If you need to remove those associated files, deleting the software through Data Management is the relevant option. You can redownload the software later, but it will need to be downloaded again.
Keep captures you want before removing them
Screenshots and videos can also take up storage. If you want to keep any captures, transfer them to a computer or upload them to the Nintendo Switch app before deleting them from the console; Nintendo describes both options in its Switch 2 FAQ.
Do not confuse software deletion with save-data deletion
Delete Save Data is a separate Data Management action. Nintendo says save data is stored in the console’s internal memory, cannot be moved to a microSD Express card, and cannot be recovered after deletion. Use that option only when you intend to erase a game’s progress; it is not a routine way to make room for an update. See Nintendo’s save-data support article.
#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.
Choose between removing a game and adding storage
| Option | Best for | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Delete software and redownload it when needed | Games you are not playing or do not need installed right now | No storage purchase, but you must download the software again to play it. |
| Add a microSD Express card | Keeping more downloaded software installed | Requires buying a compatible card; compare capacity, verified compatibility, price, and warranty. |
Nintendo states that Switch 2 has 256 GB of storage, with a portion reserved for system use, so the full amount is not available for games. A microSD Express card can store downloaded software, updates, DLC, and screenshots. Nintendo also says no individual game currently requires extra storage just to play; that does not guarantee that every update will fit in whatever free space remains. Update requirements vary by game and update, and Nintendo’s update guidance says sufficient free space is required in system memory or on a microSD card. For example, its Super Mario Bros. Wonder support page lists version 1.2.1 dated 2026-04-16. Nintendo does not give a universal free-space threshold.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Move data to a larger microSD Express card
If an existing card is full, Nintendo documents a computer-based method for moving its contents to a larger card. Copy the entire Nintendo folder from the source card to a computer, then copy it to the new card. Keep the original card until the copy is complete. Nintendo warns that data from multiple cards cannot be combined onto one card. Follow Nintendo’s microSD Express card transfer instructions.
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
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.
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.
- Use a microSD Express card for Switch 2 storage expansion; do not assume a standard microSD card is supported for this purpose.
- Do not erase or repurpose the source card until the full folder copy has finished.
- Do not try to consolidate data from several cards onto one card using this procedure.
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