You can move your The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom progress to another Switch either with Nintendo’s direct save-data transfer or through Save Data Cloud. Direct transfer removes the save from the old console; a cloud download keeps a backup in your Nintendo Account but replaces the destination console’s existing save. Choose the route that matches whether you plan to keep using the old console, and check which system has your latest progress before moving anything.
Choose the right transfer method
| Your situation | Use | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| You are replacing the old console and have both systems available | Direct save-data transfer, or Nintendo’s user-transfer process if you are moving the user too | The save moves to the new console and is removed from the old one. An existing destination save for the game is overwritten. See Nintendo’s transfer instructions. |
| You want to keep both consoles in use | Save Data Cloud | Tears of the Kingdom supports cloud saves, which require Nintendo Switch Online. Downloading the cloud save overwrites the destination’s local save. See the game’s Nintendo product listing and Nintendo’s cloud-save guidance. |
| You do not want to use cloud saves, or cannot access them | Direct save-data transfer, if both consoles are available | Follow the on-screen prompts; the same Nintendo Account must be linked to the corresponding user on each system. The transfer removes the save from the source. |
| You are moving from an original Switch to Switch 2 | Either supported route | Nintendo documents Switch-family save transfers between console types. The original Tears of the Kingdom game is listed as supported on Switch 2. See Nintendo’s Switch-to-Switch 2 transfer guidance and Nintendo’s compatibility listing. |
| You need to move the second save created in Switch 2 Edition back to the original Switch version | Do not assume it can be transferred | Nintendo says the Switch 2 Edition’s second save file cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version. See the official Zelda page. |
Before you transfer
- Identify the newest save. Check the console where you last played and, for a cloud move, confirm that the old console has backed up its latest progress before downloading on the new one.
- Use the same Nintendo Account. The user associated with the save must be linked to the same account on the destination. A user already linked to one Nintendo Account cannot be relinked to another.
- Protect any destination save you want to keep. Direct transfer and cloud download both overwrite an existing destination save for the game. Nintendo warns that a cloud download cannot be undone.
- Keep both systems available for direct transfer. Connect them to the internet and follow their on-screen instructions.
Transfer the save directly between consoles
- On both consoles, open HOME menu → System Settings → Data Management → Transfer Your Save Data.
- Choose the source or destination role as prompted, then select The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and follow the instructions on screen.
- Use the corresponding user linked to the same Nintendo Account on both systems. Keep both consoles available until the transfer finishes.
This is a move, not a copy: Nintendo’s transfer instructions state that the save is removed from the source console. If the destination already has a Tears of the Kingdom save, the incoming save replaces it.
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If you are replacing the console and moving its user
Nintendo also provides a user-transfer process that moves a user and associated save data together. Use it when you intend to transfer the user profile as well as its data, rather than expecting to leave a playable copy on the old system. If there are multiple profiles to move, Nintendo’s replacement guidance says to transfer them one at a time; see the official instructions.
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Nintendo lists Tears of the Kingdom as supporting Save Data Cloud. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use the service. The relevant user on the destination console must be linked to the same Nintendo Account that holds the backup.
#1 Best Overall
- 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, open the game’s save-data cloud settings for the relevant user and confirm that the latest save has uploaded. Nintendo supports automatic and manual backups; if needed, initiate a manual backup before switching.
- On the destination console, sign in with the same Nintendo Account and open the save-data cloud settings for that user.
- Select Tears of the Kingdom and download its backed-up save. Nintendo says the first download for a title must be started manually, even if automatic downloads are enabled.
- Load the game and confirm that the expected progress appears before continuing to play.
The download replaces the destination console’s current save for the game. Nintendo provides one cloud backup per software title per Nintendo Account, not a separate backup for each console user linked to that account. If a membership expires, the backups become inaccessible; Nintendo says renewing within 180 days restores access to previous backups. Details are in Nintendo’s Save Data Cloud guidance.
A microSD card or game card will not move the save
Switch save data is stored in the console’s system memory, not on a microSD card or the game card. Copying game software to another system therefore does not transfer the save; use direct transfer or cloud backup and download instead. Nintendo explains save storage in its data-management guidance. Packaged and downloaded versions of the same game can generally use the same save data, although Nintendo notes that exceptions exist.
Rank #2
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- 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: check which save you are moving
The original Switch game and Tears of the Kingdom – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition are distinct contexts for saves. Nintendo specifically says the second save file created in Switch 2 Edition cannot be transferred back to the original Switch version. If you expect to return to an original Switch, check which edition and save file you are using before relying on a transfer; see the official Zelda page.
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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