To add room for Nintendo Switch 2 games, use a microSD Express card. Nintendo supports compatible cards up to 2 TB. You can also free space by deleting downloaded software you are not playing; its save data stays in system memory. Game saves cannot be stored on a microSD Express card.
What can use Switch 2 storage?
Nintendo lists 256 GB of system storage, with a portion reserved for system use. Downloaded games, software updates, downloadable content (DLC), screenshots, and captured videos can use microSD Express storage. Save data remains in system memory. Nintendo’s microSD Express guidance states that game save data cannot be copied or saved to a card.
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Add storage with a microSD Express card
Choose a compatible card
Look for a card identified as microSD Express and compliant with that standard. Nintendo supports cards up to 2 TB; cards are sold separately. An ordinary microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card used with the original Nintendo Switch cannot store or load digital games or save data on Switch 2. On first use, an internet system update is required for compatibility guidance.
Insert the card and move existing software
After insertion, the card becomes the default save location for downloadable software. To move eligible software already on the console:
#1 Best Overall
- Nintendo Switch 2 uses a new standard of expandable memory card called microSD Express (sold separately). This kind of memory card is needed for faster access speeds and to ensure games will run smoothly.
- Please note: Nintendo Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards. If the microSD cards you have used for Nintendo Switch do not support microSD Express standards, you cannot use them with Nintendo Switch 2.
- Open System Settings.
- Select Data Management.
- Select Move System / microSD Express Card Data.
- Choose the data to move and confirm.
Save data and some update data cannot be migrated. If you keep playing software after moving it, update data may be saved in a different location from the software itself.
Free up internal system memory
Delete downloaded software you do not need right now
Go to System Settings > Data Management to manage stored data. Deleting downloaded software does not delete its save data, and Nintendo says you can redownload the software later. This can make room for other downloads without sacrificing progress stored in the save file.
Rank #2
- NEXT GEN GAMING: Works with Nintendo Switch 2.
- READY FOR TOMORROW. Ready for future products with a PCIe-NVMe interface; performs at UHS-I speeds with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices.
- EXPONENTIALLY FASTER PERFORMANCE. Up to 4.4 times faster transfer speeds than our fastest microSD UHS-I cards [9]. Transfer a 2-hour HD movie in less than 3.5 seconds [1]; save up to 2.8 minutes transferring 60 minutes of 4K UHD video [4] shot at 30 fps when paired with the SanDisk PRO-READER SD Express Dual Card (sold separately) [9]
- DURABILITY YOU CAN COUNT ON: Cards are waterproof, temperature-proof, humidity-proof, drop-proof, shock-proof, magnetic-proof, x-ray proof, and wear-out proof [5].
- HEAT MANAGEMENT REIMAGINED. SanDisk ThermAdapt helps keep devices from overheating with a specially designed enclosure and controller that uses dynamic adaptive thermal management.
Review screenshots and videos
Captures can take up storage too. Save any screenshots or videos you want to keep elsewhere before deleting them from the console. Nintendo describes uploading captures to the Nintendo Switch App or transferring them to a computer using a USB cable in its Data Management FAQ.
What you cannot use as extra game storage
- Ordinary microSD cards: Original Switch microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards are not supported for storing or loading digital games or save data on Switch 2.
- USB hard drives: Nintendo says external USB hard drives are not currently supported.
- Save files on a card: Save data stays in system memory and cannot be copied to a microSD Express card. Nintendo Switch Online members can use Save Data Cloud for supported software.
- Multiple cards as one pool: Nintendo recommends one microSD Express card. Software stored across multiple cards cannot later be combined onto a single card.
Does a physical game avoid downloads?
Not always. Nintendo says no individual Switch 2 games currently require additional storage space to play, but game-key cards require downloading the full game data to the console. A physical format is therefore not a guaranteed way to avoid using storage.
Rank #3
- Ultra-Fast Read Speeds — Experience read speeds up to 900 MB/s and write speeds up to 620 MB/s, delivering rapid file transfers and smooth performance for gaming, photography, and 4K video recording.
- Optimized for Gaming & Devices – Tested with Switch 2 and compatible with laptops, tablets, cameras, and Android devices that support microSD Express or UHS-I. Ideal for expanding storage without lag.
- 4K Video & High-Resolution Support – Capture and store 4K UHD videos and high-res photos seamlessly thanks to Class 10, U3, V30, and A2 performance ratings.
- Reliable & Durable Design – Built for long-term use with shockproof, temperature-resistant, waterproof, and X-ray-resistant protection, keeping your data safe wherever you go.
- Multiple Capacity Options – Available in 256GB, 512GB and 1TB options to suit your storage needs. Note that actual usable storage may be slightly less due to system formatting and a portion reserved for card management functions, which is a standard industry practice to ensure optimal performance and reliability.
Protect save data when managing storage
Deleting downloaded software preserves its save data, but deleting a user deletes that user’s associated save data, which Nintendo says cannot be restored. Do not remove a user as a storage-cleanup step. If you want cloud protection, Save Data Cloud is available to Nintendo Switch Online members for supported software.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- TRANSFER SPEEDS UP TO 800 MB/S: With sequential read speeds up to 800 MB/s, get into your game up to 4× faster than our standard microSD cards (UHS I)¹.
- DYNAMIC THERMAL GUARD: Keeps its cool even when the action heats up. Dynamic Thermal Guard helps reduce overheating for fast, smooth gameplay.
- ALL YOUR GAMES ON ONE TINY CARD: Store all your games and downloadable content (DLCs) with up to 512GB of reliable storage. No deleting. No compromises.
- 6-PROOF PROTECTION WITH 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY: Built to last, made for peace of mind. Anything can happen when you’re gaming on the go. With 6 types of protection²⁻⁹, the P9 Express can handle it all—helping maintain your game progress.
- NEXT-GEN AND BACKWARD COMPATIBLE: Your microSD Express card is compatible with Nintendo Switch 2¹⁰ and microSD UHS-I¹¹ devices, including tablets, drones, cameras and more.
Rank #4
- The perfect card for the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers revolutionary performance that is 4x faster than typical UHS-I microSD cards
- PCIe technology delivers read speeds up to 900MB/s so the game loads faster
- Write speed up to 600MB/s deliver accelerated download speeds when paired with the Lexar microSD Express card reader
- Level-up your handheld gaming experience with next-gen tech
- 1TB microSD Express card offers more space for your favorite games
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