Use System Transfer during Nintendo Switch 2’s initial setup if you still have both consoles. It is the broadest migration option for users, saves, settings, media and software data. If Switch 2 is already set up, use Transfer Your Save Data for individual saves. If the original console is unavailable, use Nintendo’s server transfer only if its data was uploaded beforehand. Do not simply move a standard Switch microSD card: Switch 2 requires microSD Express for storage, and digital-game access does not automatically move save data.
Choose the right transfer method
| Your situation | Use this | Important consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Both consoles are available and Switch 2 is still in initial setup | Local System Transfer | Broadest migration path; some source data may be deleted |
| The original Switch must be surrendered before Switch 2 arrives | System Transfer via Nintendo’s dedicated server | The original console is initialized during upload |
| Switch 2 setup is already complete | Transfer Your Save Data | Moves selected saves, not the whole system; the source save is removed |
| Only digital games are missing | Virtual Game Cards and/or re-downloads | Game access is separate from save data |
| Only screenshots or videos are needed | Import from the original Switch microSD card | Media can be imported, but the old card is not Switch 2 storage |
| The game supports Nintendo Switch Online Save Data Cloud | Save Data Cloud | Only compatible titles are covered |
These options are different operations. A full system transfer, an individual save transfer, cloud restoration, Virtual Game Card loading and media import should not be treated as interchangeable.
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Menu wording can vary by region and system software version, so follow the prompts shown on your consoles and use Nintendo’s official System Transfer instructions as the final reference.
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Nintendo’s full transfer can move:
- All users, user settings and Nintendo Account sign-ins
- Friends, play activity, Mii data and registered access points
- Save data, including some data stored per console, such as Animal Crossing: New Horizons island data
- Parental Controls settings and Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app linkage
- Screenshots and videos stored in system memory
- Screenshots and videos on the original Switch’s microSD card through a separate import step
- Purchased downloadable software data and software-update data, subject to re-download and compatibility requirements
- Supported Virtual Game Card registration and pass-enabled-console information
- HOME Menu icon order and software groups
It does not copy every setting unchanged. Nintendo lists language, region, date and time settings, Bluetooth audio pairings, controller-button assignments, Game News data and channel subscriptions among the exclusions.
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- 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
Prepare both consoles
- Keep the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 physically nearby.
- Connect both consoles to power and the internet when prompted.
- Update both systems to the latest available system software.
- Link the users that need to move to their Nintendo Accounts where possible.
- Make sure Switch 2 has enough internal storage, or prepare a compatible microSD Express card.
- Keep the original microSD card available if it contains screenshots or videos.
- Decide whether the old Switch must remain usable. This matters because transfer methods can remove source data.
Move everything with local System Transfer
Use this method when both consoles are available and Nintendo Switch 2 has not completed its initial setup.
On Nintendo Switch 2
- Begin the initial setup.
- Select Start System Transfer when the option appears.
- Follow the instructions about a microSD Express card and prepare Switch 2 to receive data.
On the original Nintendo Switch
- Follow the on-screen instructions to prepare the source console.
- Confirm that you want to send its data to Switch 2.
Finish on Switch 2
Complete the receiving process and allow software, updates and other required data to download or re-download. Keep both consoles powered and connected until the process finishes. The exact screen order can differ by region and system version.
What happens to the old Switch?
A local transfer does not mean either “the old console is untouched” or “everything is completely wiped.” Nintendo says some data can be deleted from the source, including accounts not linked to Nintendo Accounts, their saves, and saves for games that do not support Nintendo Switch Online Save Data Cloud. Examples include 1-2-Switch and Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
Before selling or resetting the old console, verify every important user and save on Switch 2.
Use a server transfer when the old Switch will be gone first
Server transfer is intended for situations where you will not have both consoles available at the same time. It is a move-and-initialize operation, not a backup.
- On the original Switch, start the System Transfer upload.
- Sign in with an eligible representative user. Nintendo says the initiating user cannot be a child account or supervised Nintendo Account.
- Upload the console data to Nintendo’s dedicated transfer server.
- Understand that the original Switch is initialized after the upload.
- During Switch 2 setup, sign in with the relevant Nintendo Account and choose the option to receive or download the uploaded data.
- Complete setup and let software download again.
Nintendo says the uploaded data is retained for approximately 364 days and then deleted if it has not been received. Check the current official instructions before relying on that period.
If you need to use the original Switch again
Nintendo documents a recovery route beginning from a special action on the initial setup time-zone screen, followed by sign-in with the representative user. Recovery is incomplete: Virtual Game Card registration, software groups, digital-software downloads and Nintendo Switch Parental Controls app linkage must be arranged again.
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Move selected saves after Switch 2 setup
If Switch 2 is already configured, transfer individual saves from the original console:
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- 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.***
- On the original Switch, open System Settings.
- Select Data Management.
- Select Transfer Your Save Data.
- Select Send Save Data to Another Console.
- Choose the user and game save.
- Follow the instructions on Switch 2 to receive it.
Both consoles should be nearby, and the corresponding users must be signed in to the same Nintendo Account. This is not a full migration: it does not move the user profile, settings, screenshots or digital library. The source save is removed, and an existing destination save may be overwritten or removed. Some per-console or shared saves are not eligible.
Nintendo Switch Online Save Data Cloud is not universal
Save Data Cloud creates or restores a cloud copy for supported games through a Nintendo Switch Online membership. It is different from direct Transfer Your Save Data, which is especially important for games that do not support cloud saves.
Do not assume that a Nintendo Switch Online membership protects every title. Support varies by game, and titles with special save structures may require their own migration procedure. Nintendo’s save-transfer guidance identifies cloud-save limitations.
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Restore digital games and DLC separately
Digital ownership, software installation and save data are separate:
- Transfer or restore the save data first.
- Load the purchase’s Virtual Game Card on Switch 2, or re-download the software.
- Download required updates and DLC.
- Launch the game using the correct Nintendo Account and user.
Nintendo says an account can load a Virtual Game Card on up to two consoles, which may be Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 or one of each. The same virtual game card cannot be loaded on both consoles at once. Loading it on another console does not transfer the save, and Nintendo Switch 2 software cannot be loaded on an original Switch.
See Nintendo’s guidance for Virtual Game Cards and software downloads. Do not delete the old console’s save until the new console has launched the game and shows the expected progress.
Do not move a standard microSD card as your transfer method
Nintendo Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards for ordinary external storage. A conventional microSD card from the original Switch cannot simply be reused for Switch 2 game storage. Save data is stored in console memory, not on the game card or microSD card, so copying the card is not a substitute for transferring saves.
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- Insert the original Switch microSD card when prompted or as supported by the console.
- Open System Settings.
- Select Data Management.
- Select Manage Screenshots and Videos.
- Select Import from a Nintendo Switch microSD Card.
- Follow the prompts to import the media to Switch 2’s system memory.
This imports media; it does not turn the old card into Switch 2 storage. See Nintendo’s instructions for importing screenshots and videos and microSD Express storage.
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- 【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.
Important special cases
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
After a local System Transfer, the game may initially need to reconnect resident data with the corresponding users on Switch 2.
If the game opens without the expected resident or user relationship, do not start a new island. Follow Nintendo’s resident-data linking instructions first. Treat this as a special migration case, not an ordinary cloud-save restoration.
Physical games
Insert the physical game card into Switch 2 after transferring the save. Updates and compatible downloadable content may still need to be downloaded.
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Missing or broken original console
A local transfer cannot work without the source console. If a server upload was completed earlier, download that transfer during Switch 2 setup. For compatible games, try Save Data Cloud. For unsupported games with no completed transfer, recovery may be impossible without the original console.
Multiple users
Check every user individually after the transfer. Unlinked users are particularly important because Nintendo says their accounts and certain saves may be deleted from the source during a local transfer.
Troubleshooting
Switch 2 has already completed setup
Use the individual Save Data Transfer menu rather than assuming a full migration will start automatically. If a complete migration is essential, investigate Nintendo’s supported setup or reset path first. Do not factory-reset Switch 2 without understanding that existing Switch 2 data may be erased, and back up any new saves where supported.
A save is missing
- Confirm that the correct Nintendo Account and user were selected.
- Launch the game under the correct user.
- Check whether the title supports the selected transfer method.
- Consider whether an existing destination save was overwritten.
- Check for per-console, shared or game-specific save structures.
- Look for a title-specific migration process.
A digital game appears but will not start
- Load its Virtual Game Card on Switch 2.
- Confirm the correct Nintendo Account is signed in.
- Check Switch 2 compatibility.
- Download software updates, required data and DLC.
- Remember that one virtual game card cannot be actively loaded on both linked consoles.
Screenshots or videos are missing
Use System Settings → Data Management → Manage Screenshots and Videos → Import from a Nintendo Switch microSD Card. Check available system storage, and do not expect an ordinary Switch microSD card to operate as Switch 2 storage.
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- Every required user appears on Switch 2.
- Your most important games launch under the correct users.
- Expected save progress is present.
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons resident data is correctly linked.
- Screenshots and videos have been imported.
- Digital titles can be loaded or downloaded.
- DLC and updates are installed where needed.
- You have confirmed which data, if any, remains on the old console.
Only after these checks should you reset, sell or surrender the original Nintendo Switch.
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