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For game storage on Nintendo Switch 2, you need a microSD Express card. A conventional microSD card—including the UHS-I cards commonly used with the original Switch—cannot store or load Switch 2 games. Express cards also work in the original Switch, but there they run at conventional microSD speeds.
At a glance: which card works where?
| Question | Conventional microSD, including UHS-I | microSD Express |
|---|---|---|
| Store or load Switch 2 games | No | Yes |
| Switch 2 capacity support | Not supported for game storage | Up to 2 TB, according to Nintendo’s compatibility guidance |
| Use with original Switch | Yes; Nintendo recommends UHS-I compatibility | Yes, at conventional microSD card speeds |
| First use in Switch 2 | Cannot serve as expansion storage; existing screenshots and videos may be imported | Requires an internet-connected system update |
Why Switch 2 requires microSD Express
UHS-I and microSD Express are different card-interface standards. Nintendo says Switch 2 is compatible only with microSD Express cards and that the faster standard is needed to help games run smoothly. A UHS-I card does not become compatible because it has a high printed speed or a U1 or U3 speed-class rating; check for the microSD Express designation itself. See Nintendo’s compatibility FAQ.
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The SD Association lists UHS-I SDR104 bus speed at up to 104 MB/s. It describes SD Express as using PCIe and NVMe, with interface ceilings varying by specification configuration. Those are standards-level bus figures, not measured Switch 2 card speeds or guarantees of a particular card’s performance. Card and host capabilities affect actual results. SD Association bus-speed overview.
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Nintendo says an Express card can hold downloaded software, software updates, downloadable content, screenshots, and captured videos. With a card inserted, it becomes the default location for downloadable software. Screenshots and videos can be moved between system memory and the card.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Game save data is different: Nintendo says it remains in system memory and cannot be copied or saved to the microSD Express card. The card expands room for game installations and media, not for transferring save files. Nintendo’s microSD Express FAQ.
Can you reuse an original Switch microSD card?
Not as Switch 2 game storage. A conventional microSD card from the original console cannot store or load Switch 2 games or save data. You can use the old card to import its Switch screenshots and videos into Switch 2 system memory. Nintendo’s guidance is specific to this media transfer, not a way to migrate installed games. Nintendo’s compatibility and transfer guidance.
Rank #2
- 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.
An Express card is backward-compatible with the original Switch, but it does not make that console faster: Nintendo says read and write speed there is equivalent to a conventional microSD card. For original Switch recommendations, see Nintendo’s microSD card FAQ.
Choosing and setting up a card
Check the card label and capacity
- Choose a card identified as microSD Express for Switch 2 game storage.
- Stay within Nintendo’s supported capacity limit of up to 2 TB.
- Do not treat UHS-I, U1, U3, or a large speed number on its own as proof of Switch 2 compatibility.
Nintendo says any card meeting the microSD Express standard and within the supported capacity can be used. Its Japanese product page lists licensed SanDisk and Samsung examples, including 256 GB cards and a SanDisk 512 GB model; these are examples, not a performance ranking. Check the exact model and availability where you live. Nintendo Japan’s microSD Express product page.
Rank #3
- ELEVATE YOUR GAMING: Engineered with next-generation PCIe Gen 3x1 microSD Express technology to achieve blazing fast performance up to 890MB/s Read and up to 810MB/s Write speeds.²
- LIGHTNING FAST DOWNLOADS: Experience extreme performance up to 4.4x faster than standard UHS-I microSD cards, to spend less time waiting and more time playing! More than double your gaming device’s internal storage with up to 512GB of expanded AAA game space.¹,²
- READY FOR NEXT-GEN GAMING: Compatible with microSD Express Host Devices, including Nintendo Switch 2, and backwards compatible with microSD UHS-I and UHS-II devices like portable gaming devices and more!⁴
- STAY COOL UNDER PRESSURE: Engineered to maximize cooling efficiencies with a heat dissipation dissipative design and adaptive thermal technology.³
- A1 APP PERFORMANCE: A1 Application Performance rating allows users to run gaming apps directly from the microSD card when gaming and delivers faster app launch and performance.
Update the console for first use
- Connect Switch 2 to the internet.
- Insert the microSD Express card and complete the required system update when prompted. Nintendo requires an internet-connected system update the first time an Express card is used in Switch 2.
Plan for one card
Nintendo recommends using a single Express card. If you replace it with a larger one, copy the data to the new card. Downloaded software spread across multiple cards cannot later be combined onto one card. Nintendo’s microSD Express FAQ.
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Switch 2 has 256 GB of internal storage, with part reserved for system use. Nintendo’s data-management FAQ says no individual game currently requires extra storage to play; an Express card is for keeping additional downloads and other supported content on the console. The cited guidance does not establish how much room a particular library will need, so the decision depends on how many games and media files you want stored at once. Nintendo Switch 2 features and Nintendo’s data-management FAQ.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- 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.
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