Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
Use Nintendo’s full System Transfer while Switch 2 is still in its initial setup. If both consoles are available, choose the local transfer: it connects them directly and avoids factory-resetting the old Switch. Use the server-based option only when the old console will be traded in, sold, or otherwise unavailable. Before confirming, check the save-data consequences for every household user—“move everything” is convenient shorthand, not a promise that every setting, save, or game remains on both systems.
You need internet access, the Nintendo Account credentials used on the old console, and both systems updated when prompted. Digital games download again after setup; some preferences must be entered again, and an old conventional microSD card cannot become Switch 2’s expanded game storage.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Windows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallOutdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWhat should I prepare before turning on Switch 2?
Do this preparation before wiping, trading, or resetting either system. Nintendo’s US transfer guide recommends moving as much source data as possible into the old console’s system memory first. Keep the old microSD card available if it contains screenshots or videos.
- Ask every person who uses the old Switch which saves are important, including saves belonging to users who are not linked to a Nintendo Account.
- Confirm that at least one old-Switch user is linked to a Nintendo Account and that you can sign in with that same account on Switch 2.
- Connect both consoles to the internet, charge them, and install system updates when the setup screens request them.
- Do not initialize, wipe, or hand over the old console until you understand whether you are using a local or server transfer.
- Have the supplied Switch 2 USB-C power adapter and cable ready. For television mode, use the included Switch 2 AC adapter and Ultra High Speed HDMI cable; the older Switch adapter cannot power the Switch 2 dock for TV use.
A full transfer is offered during Switch 2’s initial setup. It is not a routine menu action that you can start later without consequences.
Popular on Amazon
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Which transfer method should I choose?
Choose based on whether the old console will still be in your possession and whether you need a complete, all-user move.
| Method | Use it when | What happens to the old console | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local full System Transfer | Both consoles are available during Switch 2’s initial setup | Save treatment depends on the save category; the old system is not generally factory-reset | All users participate, and some saves are removed from the source |
| Server-based System Transfer | The old Switch must leave before you finish setting up Switch 2 | It uploads the household data and then initializes the old console | You must retrieve the upload by the displayed Download Deadline; Nintendo says storage is for up to one year |
| Nearby individual save transfer | Switch 2 is already set up and you only need selected saves | The selected source save is deleted | It can overwrite a save on the target; this is not a complete user-and-settings migration |
| Save Data Cloud | The game supports cloud backup and you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership | The backed-up source save can remain available until you manage it | Support varies by game, and the service is optional |
For the official US transfer rules and current screen flow, see Nintendo’s System Transfers to Nintendo Switch 2 guide.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →How do I complete a full local transfer during setup?
Keep the consoles close together and do not put the old one to sleep while the transfer is running. Menu wording can vary slightly by system software version.
- Start Switch 2. Attach both Joy-Con 2 controllers and follow the language, region, internet, and time-zone prompts.
- Prepare storage. Insert a microSD Express card if you want expanded Switch 2 storage now, or skip this step. An old conventional microSD card is not compatible as ongoing Switch 2 game storage.
- Sign in. When asked, use the Nintendo Account linked to the relevant user on the old Switch. If the account credentials do not work, stop and recover access before continuing.
- Choose the transfer option. When the setup screen offers System Transfer, select Start System Transfer. Leave Switch 2 on its receiving screen.
- Open the source menu. On the old console, go to System Settings > System > System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2.
- Follow the source-console prompts. Confirm the destination, review the save-data warnings, and choose whether to automatically redownload software and transfer album media.
- Start the download. When Switch 2 prompts you, select Start Download. Let both consoles complete the connection and wait through the restart before finishing setup.
- Finish the setup checks. Verify each user profile, inspect important saves, and leave the console online so digital software can redownload.
All users on the source system participate in a full transfer. Review the detailed save rules below before accepting the final confirmation.
What happens to saves during a local transfer?
Nintendo’s detailed US rules distinguish saves by user and by whether the game supports Save Data Cloud. Do not rely on a blanket statement that every source save is deleted; check each valuable game against these categories.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Source save | Result in a local full transfer |
|---|---|
| Save belonging to a Nintendo Account-linked user in a game that supports Save Data Cloud | The save is copied to Switch 2 and remains on the old console. |
| Save belonging to an unlinked user | The save is moved to Switch 2 and removed from the old console. |
| Save from a game without Save Data Cloud support | The save is moved to Switch 2 and removed from the old console. |
| Any save you have not checked | Do not assume it will remain on the source. Confirm its category before proceeding. |
If keeping a playable old console matters—for example, a family member will continue using it—make a list of those games first. A local transfer is a migration, not a universal copy operation.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
What if my old Switch must leave before Switch 2 is ready?
Use the server-based transfer only when the old system will be gone first. It is designed for a trade-in or handoff and does not leave a usable copy on the initialized console.
- On the old Switch, open System Settings > System > System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2.
- Choose I don’t have a Nintendo Switch 2 yet, or the equivalent option for transferring to another system.
- Read and record the exact Download Deadline displayed on screen. Nintendo describes server storage as lasting up to one year; the date shown for your transfer is the one that controls retrieval.
- Start the upload and review the factory-reset warning carefully.
- Initialize the old Switch only after every household user agrees that it can be erased and you have confirmed the upload completed.
- During Switch 2’s initial setup, sign in with the same Nintendo Account and retrieve the upload when prompted.
If you miss the displayed deadline, do not assume the upload is still available. The server method is also not a way to keep the old console playable after the transfer; initialization removes its local data.
Can I transfer after I have already set up Switch 2?
A complete System Transfer requires Switch 2 to be returned to its initial setup state. Nintendo’s full-transfer process therefore requires initializing the target and repeating setup, which erases data already placed on Switch 2.
If you want to avoid that reset, use a narrower method:
Recommended Free Tools
Also popular on Amazon
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
- Nearby save transfer: transfer selected saves from System Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data (wording can vary). The selected source save is deleted, and an existing target save can be overwritten.
- Save Data Cloud: for games that support it, back up on the old console and download on Switch 2. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required for this route.
Neither alternative moves every user, setting, screenshot, or digital entitlement in one operation. Use the full transfer if you need the complete account-and-console migration and are willing to repeat initial setup.
Which games, settings, and media transfer?
The transfer moves account and system information, but it does not reproduce every preference exactly. Digital software is downloaded again rather than copied as an instantly playable offline bundle.
| Item | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Purchased digital software | Redownloads after setup. Nintendo states, “Once the system transfer has been completed, your digital games will automatically be redownloaded to the new system.” Internet access and enough time are still required. |
| System-memory screenshots and videos | Can transfer when you select the album-media option. Captures stored on an old microSD card require the separate import process described below. |
| User accounts and many parental-control details | Transfer with the system migration, subject to the account and user prompts shown on screen. |
| Network settings | Transfer as part of the supported system information, but you may still need to reconnect if your network or security settings changed. |
| Bluetooth audio pairings | Do not transfer; pair headphones or speakers again. |
| Custom button mappings | Do not transfer; recreate your preferred assignments. |
| Time, language, and region preferences | Do not transfer; set them again during or after setup. |
| Game compatibility | Check each title’s Switch 2 compatibility. A transfer does not guarantee that every old game runs identically on the new hardware. |
After setup, open the software library and let downloads finish before judging whether a game is missing. A title that is not yet downloaded is different from a title that is incompatible.
Can I use my old microSD card in Switch 2?
You can use an old conventional Switch microSD card to bring over screenshots and videos, but it cannot serve as expanded Switch 2 game storage. Ongoing expanded storage requires a microSD Express card; Nintendo lists support up to 2TB. Expansion is optional because Switch 2 also has internal storage.
| Card | Supported use |
|---|---|
| Old conventional Switch microSD | One-time capture import for screenshots and videos; not expanded Switch 2 game storage. |
| microSD Express | Optional expanded storage for Switch 2 games and other supported data, up to the stated 2TB capacity. |
Do not buy a card merely labeled “microSD” for Switch 2 game expansion. The label must specifically say microSD Express. Nintendo’s compatibility details are in its Switch 2 microSD Express support information; its accessory page names a Samsung 256GB microSD Express card as one example: Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.
Also popular on Amazon
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Widely Compatible: Transform any USB-C port into a USB-A port and USB-A port into a USB-C port, and connect up a wide range of USB-C(including MacBook, iPad Pro/Air/Mini, iPhone models with USB C ports, Samsung Galaxy series, and Google Pixel series. ) and USB A devices(including external hard drives, phones, mice, printers, and more)
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Will my Animal Crossing: New Horizons island transfer?
For the United States, Nintendo explicitly says a Switch-to-Switch-2 system transfer also transfers the Animal Crossing: New Horizons island save. Use the full system-transfer route when possible, and do not treat a shared island as an ordinary individual-user save.
If Switch 2 has already been set up, follow Nintendo’s separate Animal Crossing island-transfer instructions and use the Island Transfer Tool where directed. Regional support pages are not fully consistent: instructions in some countries describe resident relinking or impose different restrictions. This article follows the US guidance, so owners outside the US should check Nintendo support for their region before resetting either console.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should I check after the transfer?
- Open every user profile and confirm that the expected Nintendo Account is attached.
- Inspect the saves that mattered most before deleting or trading in the old console.
- Open the album and verify system-memory captures; import old-card media separately if needed.
- Let digital-game downloads complete, then launch a few important titles and check their own save or account screens.
- Pair Bluetooth audio devices again and restore custom controller mappings.
- Reset time, language, and region preferences if the defaults are wrong.
- If the old console is leaving, remove any remaining account access only after you have verified the destination and understand the initialization result.
How do I recover from a common transfer mistake?
I finished setup without starting the full transfer
Do not initialize anything impulsively. Decide whether repeating setup on Switch 2 is acceptable; otherwise move only selected saves nearby or use Save Data Cloud for supported games.
The old console was initialized too soon
If you used the server method, retrieve the upload on Switch 2 before the displayed Download Deadline. If you used a local method, recovery depends on the specific save’s backup status; do not assume an unlinked or unsupported save still exists on the source.
A game appears absent
Check the software library and internet connection first. Digital games redownload after transfer, so an incomplete download is not evidence that the purchase was lost. Then verify the title’s Switch 2 compatibility.
Also popular on Amazon
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
A save is missing or was replaced
Stop using both versions of that game until you identify whether the save was cloud-backed, moved from an unlinked user, transferred individually, or overwritten on the target. Nearby transfers are deliberately destructive to the selected source save and can replace a target save.
What is the safest order for a trade-in?
- List every user and important save on the old Switch.
- Confirm Nintendo Account credentials and update both systems.
- Choose local transfer if you can keep both consoles together; choose server transfer only when the old system must leave first.
- For server transfer, record the Download Deadline and wait for upload confirmation before initialization.
- Complete Switch 2 setup, retrieve or download data, and verify users, saves, media, and key games.
- Only then hand over or erase the old console.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to move data between consoles?
No. A direct nearby save transfer does not require Nintendo Switch Online. The membership is needed only for the optional Save Data Cloud route, and cloud support still varies by game.
Can I keep playing on the old Switch after a local transfer?
Only for data that Nintendo’s transfer rules leave on the source, such as supported cloud-backed saves for linked users. Saves belonging to unlinked users or games without cloud support are moved and removed from the old console.
Why is my old Switch charger not working with the Switch 2 dock?
Nintendo specifies the supplied Switch 2 AC adapter for docked TV operation. The older Switch adapter cannot power the Switch 2 dock for TV mode, so use the included adapter and Ultra High Speed HDMI cable.
How much microSD Express storage can Switch 2 recognize?
Nintendo states support for microSD Express cards up to 2TB. A conventional Switch microSD card can import captures but does not provide expanded Switch 2 game storage.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
