You can move your The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom progress to another Nintendo Switch with a direct save-data transfer or, if you have Nintendo Switch Online, by backing up and downloading the save through Save Data Cloud. Direct transfer removes the save from the old console; a cloud download overwrites the destination console’s current save. Check which console has your latest progress before choosing.
Choose the transfer method that fits your situation
| Your situation | Use this method | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| You are replacing your console and will stop using the old one | User transfer or individual save-data transfer | Both consoles are needed for direct transfer, and the transferred save is removed from the source. The corresponding user on both consoles must use the same Nintendo Account. Nintendo’s transfer instructions explain both routes. |
| You want to keep both consoles and have Nintendo Switch Online | Save Data Cloud | Back up on the old console, then download on the destination with a user linked to the same Nintendo Account. The download replaces the destination’s current save. Nintendo’s US product page lists cloud support for TOTK and notes the membership requirement. |
| You do not want to use cloud backup | Individual save-data transfer | TOTK supports cloud backup, but you can also use Nintendo’s direct transfer procedure. |
| You are moving from an original Switch to Switch 2 | Either supported route | Follow the transfer prompts for your systems. Nintendo says Switch-family consoles can transfer saves across console types, and its TOTK compatibility listing covers Switch 2. |
| You want to move the second save created in Switch 2 Edition back to the original Switch version | Do not rely on a transfer | Nintendo says this second save cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version. See its Switch 2 Edition information. |
Before you transfer or download
- Identify the latest save. Decide which console has the progress you want to keep. A direct transfer overwrites an existing destination save; a cloud download also replaces the destination’s local save, and Nintendo warns that this cannot be undone. Nintendo’s transfer guidance and Save Data Cloud guidance describe these effects.
- Use the same Nintendo Account. The user associated with the save on the old console and the user receiving it on the new console must be linked to the same account. A user already linked to one Nintendo Account cannot be relinked to another.
- Have both consoles ready for direct transfer. Keep them available, connect them to the internet, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- Do not try to copy the save with a game card or microSD card. Save data is stored in system memory, not on either card. Copying the game software does not transfer its save. Nintendo’s data-management guidance explains where saves are stored.
Transfer a save directly between consoles
Use this method when both consoles are available and you want to move the save rather than rely on a cloud backup.
- On each console, open HOME menu → System Settings → Data Management → Transfer Your Save Data.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to select the sending and receiving consoles and the relevant user and game.
- Confirm the transfer only after checking the destination user and save. The destination’s existing TOTK save will be overwritten if one is present.
Nintendo’s direct-transfer procedure removes the transferred save from the source console, so it does not leave a second playable copy there. For a full console replacement, Nintendo also offers a user-transfer route that moves the user and associated save data together. If several profiles are on the old system, Nintendo’s replacement guidance says to transfer them one at a time. See Nintendo’s user and save-data transfer instructions.
Back up and download TOTK with Save Data Cloud
Nintendo lists Save Data Cloud support for TOTK, and using the service requires Nintendo Switch Online. The relevant save must belong to a user linked to the same Nintendo Account on both consoles.
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- Enhanced performance and visuals exclusive to the Nintendo Switch 2.
- Explore the skies, caves, and vast lands of Hyrule in a massive open-world adventure.
- Wield new and returning abilities to craft solutions, vehicles, and weapons.
- Discover the mystery behind the spreading gloom threatening the kingdom.
- Use the ZELDA NOTES app to share, compare, and earn daily bonuses.
- On the old console, back up the latest save. Nintendo supports automatic and manual backup. Confirm the backup belongs to the user and account you plan to use on the destination.
- On the destination console, select the corresponding user and download the cloud save. The first download for a title must be started manually, even if automatic download is enabled.
- Check the result before continuing to play. The downloaded cloud copy replaces the destination’s local TOTK save.
Nintendo provides current Save Data Cloud instructions. The service keeps one backup per software title per Nintendo Account; using that account with users on multiple consoles does not create a separate backup for each console. If Nintendo Switch Online membership expires, backed-up saves become inaccessible. Nintendo says access to prior backups returns if membership is renewed within 180 days.
What does not move the save
Copying TOTK’s game software to a microSD card, moving a game card, or installing the game on a second console does not move the save. Nintendo stores save data in the console’s system memory and says it cannot be moved to microSD or a game card. Packaged and downloaded copies of the same game can generally use the same save, subject to exceptions, but the save still needs to be transferred directly or restored from the cloud. Nintendo’s data-management page covers storage and game software.
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![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51PuJ83o9KL._SL160_.jpg)
- Ultrahand: Using the new Ultrahand ability, Link can pick up, move, and rotate almost any object, and can even attach objects together to create bridges, vehicles, and more!
- Fuse: Magically fuse almost any object to Link’s current weapon, shield, or arrow to increase durability, damage, or even add a new effect. Experiment with lots of different combinations to come up with surprising—and sometimes hilarious—results!
- Ascend: Add a new dimension to your exploration with Ascend, which gives Link the ability to pass through solid objects above him. Rise up through ceilings, hillsides, and even certain enemies to create seemingly impossible shortcuts.
- Recall: Use Recall to make objects in motion move backward through time, letting Link ride fallen boulders skyward, recover thrown weapons, or send projectiles back where they came from.
Switch 2 Edition save limitation
Keep the original Switch version and Switch 2 Edition distinct when planning a move. Nintendo specifically says the second save file created in the Switch 2 Edition cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version. Do not assume a normal console-transfer route reverses that edition-specific restriction. Check Nintendo’s TOTK Switch 2 Edition information if this is the save you need to move.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
Rank #3
![The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition Upgrade Pack - Nintendo Switch 2 [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41i3ez7HjYL._SL160_.jpg)
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