To move your downloaded games and other data to a larger card while keeping the same Nintendo 3DS-family console, copy the complete contents of the old card to a computer, then copy them onto the new card. Keep the Nintendo 3DS folder intact, and do not erase or change the old card until you have checked that the new one works in the console.
Check which card your 3DS uses
The card type depends on the console model. Nintendo’s compatibility guidance lists SDHC cards for original 3DS-family systems and microSDHC cards for New-family systems, with supported capacities from 4 GB through 32 GB. It does not consider SDXC or microSDXC cards compatible. These are Nintendo’s stated standards and capacity limits, not a guarantee that every third-party card will work.
| Console models | Card type | Nintendo-listed capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS | SD up to 2 GB; SDHC from 4 GB through 32 GB | Up to 32 GB SDHC |
| New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL | microSD up to 2 GB; microSDHC from 4 GB through 32 GB | Up to 32 GB microSDHC |
For a straightforward replacement, choose a 32 GB SDHC card for an original 3DS, 3DS XL, or 2DS, or a 32 GB microSDHC card for a New-family system. Nintendo says it cannot guarantee products other than the card included with the system. Nintendo’s SD card compatibility guidance has the model-specific details.
What you need
- A computer with an SD or microSD card slot, or a compatible card reader/writer.
- A microSD adapter if your computer or reader accepts full-size SD cards but not microSD cards.
- The compatible replacement card for your console model.
- For a New Nintendo 3DS-family console, a size #0 crosshead screwdriver may be needed to remove the backplate and access the microSD card.
Copy the card to the replacement
- Turn off the console. Do not remove the SD or microSD card while the system is on. If your New-family model requires backplate removal, use the appropriate screwdriver to access the card.
- Copy the old card’s contents to your computer. Insert the source card in the computer or reader, then copy its contents to a folder on the computer. Copy the entire Nintendo 3DS folder; do not open it to select, move, or alter individual files. Nintendo’s SD card data transfer instructions describe this computer-copy method.
- Eject the source card properly. Use your computer’s normal eject procedure before removing it. Keep the old card unchanged as a backup.
- Copy the saved contents to the new card. Insert the replacement card and copy the saved contents from the computer onto it. Preserve the folder structure, including the complete Nintendo 3DS folder.
- Eject and test the new card. Eject it using the computer’s normal procedure, install it in the same console, and check that the expected content is available. Keep the old card until this check is complete.
Nintendo cautions against using save data from the old card after transferring it and against overwriting data by recopying onto the same card. If something is missing, do not make changes to the source card; use the unchanged original as your fallback while you check the copied files and repeat the transfer carefully.
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If you are moving data to a different 3DS
A card copy is for replacing storage in the same console. It does not make copied content usable on a different system. To move content to another console, use Nintendo’s separate system transfer process, which has its own prerequisites and options. For example, Nintendo lists an active internet connection, matching region settings, current system updates, and no Nintendo Network ID linked to the target system as prerequisites for its PC-based New-system process. Check the instructions for the specific transfer route before starting.
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