To make room for a large game on Nintendo Switch 2, delete software you are not playing or move/delete screenshots and videos. If you want to keep more games installed, add a compatible microSD Express card. Deleting a game’s software data does not delete its save data, according to Nintendo.
First, check what is using storage
Nintendo Switch 2 has 256 GB of internal storage, but some of that capacity is reserved for system use. The free space available to you changes as you install games and updates and save screenshots or videos. Nintendo currently says no individual game requires additional storage to play; that does not mean every game will fit in the space currently free on your console.
Before buying a game, check its storage requirement in Nintendo eShop or on its physical packaging. A game-key card is a key used to download the full game data to the console, so a physical card does not necessarily contain all of a game’s data.
Choose how you want to free up space
| Option | What it frees | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Delete unused software | Space occupied by the game’s software data | You can redownload the software later; its save data remains unaffected. |
| Move or delete captures | Space occupied by screenshots and videos | Move captures elsewhere or to a microSD Express card before deleting anything you want to keep. |
| Add a microSD Express card | Additional space for downloadable software, updates, DLC, screenshots, and videos | The card is sold separately. Game save data stays in system memory. |
Delete a game without deleting its progress
If you have a game you do not plan to play soon, removing its software data is often the simplest way to make room without buying anything. Nintendo says save data is unaffected when you delete software data, and the software can be downloaded again later. You will need to redownload the game to play it again; Nintendo’s guidance does not guarantee a particular download speed or offline access.
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- 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.
Use the console’s data management controls to review storage use and remove software you no longer need installed. Take care to select the game software, not a save-data deletion option.
Make space by reviewing screenshots and videos
Captures can also take up room. Nintendo says screenshots and videos can be moved between system memory and a microSD Express card, or saved elsewhere before you delete them. First copy or move any captures you want to preserve; deleting them without doing so removes those copies from the 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.
Expand storage with the right card
Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards for storing game software. Nintendo supports cards up to 2TB. On first use, connect the console to the internet so it can receive a system update. Once inserted, the card becomes the default save location for downloadable software; updates and DLC can also be stored there. Game saves remain in system memory and cannot be copied to the card.
- Check the card type: Buy microSD Express. Standard microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards used with the original Switch cannot store or load digital games or save data on Switch 2.
- Do not assume an old card is suitable because it has enough capacity: The required standard is different. An original Switch card may still be used to import screenshots and videos, but not as Switch 2 game storage.
- Plan to use one card: Nintendo recommends one microSD Express card. Software stored across multiple cards cannot later be combined onto one card.
- Do not plan on a USB hard drive: Nintendo does not currently support external USB hard drives for this storage use.
As a capacity reference, SanDisk’s Switch 2-licensed microSD Express card datasheet estimates about 9 games on 256GB, 18 on 512GB, and 36 on 1TB, assuming an average game size of 25GB. These are the manufacturer’s approximate counts, not a guarantee: actual usable storage is below the card’s nominal capacity, and game sizes vary.
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- Ultra-Fast Read Speeds — Experience read speeds up to 900 MB/s and write speeds up to 620 MB/s, delivering rapid file transfers and smooth performance for gaming, photography, and 4K video recording.
- Optimized for Gaming & Devices – Tested with Switch 2 and compatible with laptops, tablets, cameras, and Android devices that support microSD Express or UHS-I. Ideal for expanding storage without lag.
- 4K Video & High-Resolution Support – Capture and store 4K UHD videos and high-res photos seamlessly thanks to Class 10, U3, V30, and A2 performance ratings.
- Reliable & Durable Design – Built for long-term use with shockproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof, and X-ray-resistant protection, keeping your data safe wherever you go.
- Multiple Capacity Options – Available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options to suit your storage needs. Note that actual usable storage may be slightly less due to system formatting and a portion reserved for card management functions, which is a standard industry practice to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Which option makes sense?
- Choose deletion first if you need space for one game and are comfortable redownloading another later. It requires no expansion-card purchase, and saves are retained.
- Choose a microSD Express card if you want more downloadable software to remain stored on the console. It costs extra, and captures can be stored on it, but saves still stay in system memory.
Nintendo Switch Online’s Save Data Cloud supports cloud backups for eligible titles, but it is not a way to move general game-save storage onto a microSD Express card.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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 #4
- The perfect card for the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers revolutionary performance that is 4x faster than typical UHS-I microSD cards
- PCIe technology delivers read speeds up to 900MB/s so the game loads faster
- Write speed up to 600MB/s deliver accelerated download speeds when paired with the Lexar microSD Express card reader
- Level-up your handheld gaming experience with next-gen tech
- 1TB microSD Express card offers more space for your favorite games
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