If you’ve recently acquired or are about to get your hands on the Nintendo Switch 2, you might be thinking about what to do with your original Switch. Before you tuck it away into storage, it’s crucial to transfer all your data to the new console. Fortunately, Nintendo has made this process incredibly straightforward, whether you currently have the new console or not. For those still waiting for their Switch 2, there’s a clever solution that allows original Switch owners to back up their entire account to a remote server for up to one year. Here’s a comprehensive step-by-step guide on how to transfer your data seamlessly.
This section is tailored for users who already possess a Switch 2. Start by going through the initial setup on your new console until you reach the System Transfer screen. Click on Start System Transfer, ensuring that you are connected to the internet and signed in to your Nintendo Account.
Next, on your original Switch, make sure it’s updated to the latest software version. Open the Settings app, then navigate to System and select System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2. Keep both consoles close together during this process. Once you hit Start Download on the Switch 2, your data will begin transferring. After the data transfer is completed, the Switch 2 will automatically restart.
It's important to note that all users will be transferred from your original Switch to the Switch 2. If you have users on your system that aren’t linked to a Nintendo Account or games that do not support cloud save backups, they will still transfer to the Switch 2 but cannot be reverted back to the original Switch.
If you haven’t yet acquired a Switch 2, don’t worry! This method allows you to sell or give away your original Switch before you purchase the new console. To start, go to the Settings app and find the System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 option. When prompted, select the option that says I don’t have a Nintendo Switch 2 yet.
After this selection, you’ll be presented with a Download Deadline—this indicates the last day your data will be available for retrieval on a Nintendo Switch 2 before it is permanently deleted. Click on Upload Data and follow the prompts until the process is complete. Keep in mind that this will wipe all data and users from your original Switch.
If you backed up your original Switch data to the cloud and now have your Switch 2, retrieving your data from the remote server is a breeze. For those who have just powered on their Switch 2, follow the on-screen prompts until you reach the Start System Transfer option. Make sure you are connected to the internet and logged in with the same Nintendo Account that was used to transfer the original Switch data. If everything is set up correctly, your backup will appear.
If you have already completed the initial setup on your Switch 2, you will need to reset the console to retrieve your backed-up data, following the same steps outlined above.
This is a common question among users, and Nintendo has provided detailed information on this topic. In summary, everything important is transferable, except for specific settings such as custom controller button mappings, Bluetooth settings, time, time zone, region, and language preferences. All users will be transferred, but if you have users that are not linked to a Nintendo Account or games that do not support cloud backups, those will transfer to the Switch 2 but cannot be moved back to the original Switch.
Lastly, if you have numerous games installed on your original Switch, be aware that all of those games will attempt to download onto your Switch 2. This may not be ideal if you have specific titles, like Mario Kart World, that you want to prioritize during your gaming experience.
