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Animal Crossing: New HorizonsPATCH 2026.09.22

How to Transfer Data From One User to Another on the Same Nintendo Switch

By VGSources Team 4 min read

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You generally cannot transfer an ordinary game save from one user profile to another on the same Nintendo Switch. Nintendo’s supported save-transfer feature moves save data between two Switch consoles; it does not reassign a save to a different profile on one console. Nintendo also says save data cannot be merged with another user. Nintendo’s support documentation explains the distinction.

What happens when you use another Switch user?

Switch save data is normally associated with the local user profile that created it. If you launch a game with a different profile, the game will usually load that profile’s own save—or create a new save if none exists.

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This means you cannot normally move a Zelda, Pokémon, Mario, or other game save from Profile A to Profile B. You also cannot combine two users’ progress into one save through Nintendo’s normal system menus.

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The practical options on one console are to keep playing with the original profile or start a separate game under the second profile, where the title supports separate user saves.

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Do not confuse this with “Transfer Your Save Data”

Nintendo’s Transfer Your Save Data function is a console-to-console tool. It moves a selected save from one Switch-family console to another; it does not transfer data between two users on the same Switch.

The menu path is:

  1. Open System Settings from the HOME Menu.
  2. Choose Data Management.
  3. Select Transfer Your Save Data.
  4. Follow the instructions to identify the source and target consoles.
  5. Select the relevant save data.

Both consoles must be available, connected to the internet, and updated. The corresponding user must be linked to the same Nintendo Account on both systems. Nintendo’s documented transfer process moves the save rather than copying it, so the save is deleted from the source console after the transfer. It is therefore not a backup or a way to duplicate progress across two profiles. See Nintendo’s official transfer instructions for the current requirements.

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What Nintendo Switch Online can—and cannot—do

Nintendo Switch Online’s Save Data Cloud can back up and download supported games for the same user and Nintendo Account. It does not convert Profile A’s save into Profile B’s save, merge users, or create an independent copy for another profile.

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To download a cloud backup, either open the game’s HOME Menu options with + or − and choose Save Data Cloud, or go to System Settings → Data Management → Save Data Cloud. Select the user and game, then choose Download Save Data.

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A membership is required, games must support Save Data Cloud, and downloading a backup replaces the existing save for that user and game. Nintendo warns that data overwritten by this operation cannot be recovered through the download process. Details are available in Nintendo’s Save Data Cloud instructions.

Games with shared or unusual save systems

Not every Switch game uses one independent save per user. Some titles use a console-wide or shared save. Nintendo lists 1-2-Switch and Animal Crossing: New Horizons as examples of games whose save data is not stored on a per-user basis.

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A shared save is not the same as transferring one user’s progress to another. The game may instead identify a first player, island representative, resident, or console as the controlling entity. Animal Crossing: New Horizons has dedicated island and resident transfer procedures, so use the game-specific instructions rather than the ordinary user-save workflow.

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Other games may use publisher-managed progression, special transfer tools, or have no cloud-save support. Check the game’s official support page before changing users, consoles, or account settings.

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What not to do

  • Do not delete the original user as a workaround. User deletion is not a supported save-transfer method and may make progress inaccessible or cause data loss, depending on the operation and game.
  • Do not overwrite the only copy of a save while experimenting with cloud downloads or transfers.
  • Do not expect a game card or microSD card to contain the save. Nintendo distinguishes save data from screenshots and videos; microSD transfer methods for media do not provide a supported way to move saves between users.
  • Do not assume changing Nintendo Account links will reassign a save. A local user, linked Nintendo Account, digital purchases, and save data are related but distinct concepts.
  • Avoid unofficial save editors, homebrew tools, and account manipulation unless you fully accept the risks, including corruption, lost progress, online-service restrictions, update incompatibility, and no reliable recovery path.

The safest choice for each situation

Situation Best-supported option
Two profiles remain on one Switch Keep the existing save with its original profile, or start a new save with the other profile.
The same player is moving to another Switch Use Transfer Your Save Data with the same Nintendo Account on both consoles.
You want protection or access on another console Use Save Data Cloud for supported games and the same user/account.
The game has a shared or unusual save Follow that game’s dedicated transfer instructions.

Before making any change

  1. Keep the original user profile intact.
  2. Confirm whether the game uses per-user or shared save data.
  3. Back up supported saves through Nintendo Switch Online if you have it.
  4. Do not download a cloud backup unless you understand that it may replace the current save.
  5. Use Nintendo’s console-transfer process only when moving the same user’s save to another console.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I copy my Zelda save to my child’s Switch profile?

Not through Nintendo’s supported same-console features. The save normally remains associated with the profile that created it.

Can I merge two Switch users’ saves?

No. Nintendo does not provide a supported method for merging save data between users.

Can I use a microSD card to transfer a save?

No. The supported microSD workflow is for media such as screenshots and videos, not profile-to-profile game saves.

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Can I move a save to another Switch without deleting it from the old one?

Nintendo’s ordinary console-to-console save transfer moves the save and deletes it from the source console. Save Data Cloud may provide account-based backup for supported games, but it still does not reassign the save to another user.

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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.

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