Insert a compatible microSD card into a Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, or Switch OLED Model, then download or redownload the digital game from Nintendo eShop. The console uses an inserted card as the default destination for downloadable software. Game saves stay in system memory and cannot be copied to the card.
Check that your card fits your Switch model
This guide covers Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED Model. These consoles use microSD cards; a full-size SD card or miniSD card will not fit. Nintendo Switch 2 has different requirements: it uses microSD Express cards, so check Nintendo’s guidance for your model before buying storage.
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For the Switch family models covered here, Nintendo lists these compatible card types and capacities:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →| Card type | Capacity listed by Nintendo |
|---|---|
| microSD | Up to 2 GB |
| microSDHC | 4 GB to 32 GB |
| microSDXC | 64 GB to 2 TB; a system update is required |
Nintendo recommends a UHS-I card with a transfer speed of 60–95 MB/sec. These specifications and compatibility ranges are from Nintendo’s microSD Card FAQ. Choose capacity based on the games and downloadable content you want installed; Nintendo eShop shows a digital title’s storage requirement before purchase.
#1 Best Overall
- Compatible with Nintendo-Switch (NOT Nintendo-Switch 2)
- Incredible speeds in a microSD card officially licensed for the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo OLED, and Nintendo Switch Lite systems
- Spend less time waiting and more time playing with read speeds up to 100MB/s(1) and write speeds up to 90MB/s(1).
- Instantly add up to 256GB (1GB=1,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less.)
- Store your downloaded games, screenshots and video captures in 1 place so you can travel light.
Download a game to the microSD card
- Turn off the console before inserting the card. Open the kickstand on the back of a standard Switch or OLED Model and insert the microSD card into its slot. On Switch Lite, open the card-slot cover. Push the card in until it clicks, then close the cover if your model has one.
- Turn on the console. If prompted to update the system to use a microSDXC card, follow the on-screen instructions.
- Open Nintendo eShop and select the Nintendo Account that owns the digital game.
- Find the game. For a new purchase, check the displayed storage requirement before completing checkout. To download a game you already own, open your account’s redownload options and select the title.
- Start the download. With a compatible microSD card inserted, downloadable software is saved to the card by default. Nintendo describes this default behavior in its downloadable software management guide.
Move a game that is already on system memory
You can move eligible software data from system memory to a microSD card through the console settings. This does not move the game’s save data, and some update data cannot be moved.
- From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.
- Select Data Management, then Move Data Between System / microSD Card.
- Choose the direction for the transfer and select the software data you want to move.
- Select Move Data or OK as shown on screen, then confirm.
Nintendo’s instructions for moving data between system memory and a microSD card note that this feature does not let you choose a permanent install location for future downloads. If you play software after moving it, update data may be saved in a different location.
Rank #2
- EXPAND YOUR STORAGE. Insert your card to add massive storage up to 1.5TB[1] to your Android smartphones and tablets, digital cameras, and laptops.
- SPACE FOR MORE. With expansive capacities up to 1.5TB[1], capture and store hours of Full HD video[4], movies, music, games, photos, and podcasts.
- MOVE FILES FAST. Use your card with the SANDISK QuickFlow microSD UHS-I Card USB-A Reader[6] to achieve up to 195MB/s[2] read speeds [128GB-1.5TB models] and offload your content fast.
- LOAD APPS IN A SNAP. Rated A1[3], the SANDISK Ultra microSD card is optimized for faster app launch and overall app performance.
- EASY CONTENT MANAGEMENT. Easily back up, organize, and transfer your photos and videos with the SANDISK Memory Zone desktop or Android mobile app[5].
Know what the card can—and cannot—store
A microSD card can hold downloaded software, software update data, downloadable content (DLC), screenshots, and captured videos. Game save data remains in system memory, whether you play a digital download or a game card. Nintendo states that save data cannot be copied or saved to microSD; see its Data Management FAQ.
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If system memory is full, you can archive or delete downloaded software to free space while preserving its save data. You can redownload the software later; with a microSD card inserted, the redownload goes to the card by default. Nintendo’s Data Management FAQ explains the storage options. Nintendo does not support external USB hard drives as additional Switch storage.
Rank #3
- 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.
Replace a full card without losing the original files
Nintendo recommends using one microSD card per console. If you are replacing a card, the supported migration process uses both cards and a PC card slot or a commercially available microSD reader/writer.
- Turn off the console and remove the original card.
- Use a computer to copy the entire Nintendo folder from the original card to the replacement. Do not alter or delete the original card’s contents during the transfer.
- Insert the replacement card in the console and check that the software is readable before erasing or reusing the original card.
- If some software cannot be read from the replacement card, redownload it from Nintendo eShop.
Follow Nintendo’s microSD card migration instructions for the full procedure. A computer and card reader are only needed for copying files during replacement, not for downloading games from eShop.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Compatible with Nintendo Switch (NOT Nintendo Switch 2). Always check your device's max supported capacity.
- Reliable Real-World Capacity - Labeled Capacities/Usable Capacities: 64GB/≥58GB; 128GB/≥116GB; 256GB/≥232GB; 512GB/≥465GB; 1TB/≥908GB (Due to OS formatting and binary/decimal calculation differences)
- 4K & Full HD Ready — Optimized for high-bitrate video recording and burst-mode photography. Handles RAW files, time-lapse sequences, and smooth 4K UHD playback without lag or frame drops.
- UHS-I U3 + A2 Certified Speed — Up to 100MB/s read speed (lab-tested); meets Video Speed Class V30 and Application Class A2 for fast app loading, responsive multitasking, and reliable performance on Android devices.
- Built for Adventure — Shock-resistant, IPX6 water-resistant, and rated for extreme temperatures (−10°C to +80°C). Also resistant to X-rays and magnetic fields — ideal for travel, outdoor use, and dashcams.
Rank #4
- [Gaming Series] Especially designed for Gaming Consoles. A1 spec enables high speed data transfer for game professionals
- [Ultra HD] Read/Write up to 100/60 MB/s. UltraHD video displaying/recording
- [Compatibility] Storage for Laptop, Tablet, PC, Smartphones, Camera, e-Reader. Files, Videos, Music [Notice] Compatible with Nintendo Switch 1; not compatible for gaming with Nintendo Switch 2
- [Environment] Waterproof, shockproof, temperature-proof and X-Ray proof
- [Support] Gigastone 5-year limited warranty
If a download does not go to the card
- The card is not recognized: Confirm that it is a compatible microSD format for your console, is fully inserted, and—if it is microSDXC—that the system update is installed.
- There is not enough space: Check the title’s storage requirement in eShop and the available space on the card. The space needed can vary with the game and content downloaded.
- The game is already on system memory: Use System Settings → Data Management → Move Data Between System / microSD Card for eligible software. The setting does not change the default location for future downloads.
- You are using Switch 2: Do not rely on the card types and capacities listed for Switch, Switch Lite, and OLED Model. Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards.
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