What Kind of SD Card Do You Need for the Switch?
The Nintendo Switch only supports microSD cards, not standard SD cards. Specifically, it is compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. This means the Switch works with microSD cards ranging from 32GB up to 2TB in capacity.
In addition to size, the speed of the SD card matters. Nintendo recommends using cards that are UHS-I compliant and have a speed class rating of U1 or higher. U1 cards can sustain a minimum sequential write speed of 10 MB/s, while U3 cards can handle 30 MB/s.
Faster read/write speeds allow games to load quicker from the SD card. A card’s speed class is denoted by a number inside a C with an additional U symbol, like U3 or U1.
While the Switch is compatible with microSD cards up to 2TB, the appropriate size for you depends on how many digital games you plan to download. A 128GB or 256GB card offers ample storage for most users.
Formatting the SD Card for the Switch
The Nintendo Switch requires SD cards to be formatted to FAT32 file system in order to be properly read by the console. Attempting to use an SD card formatted to exFAT, NTFS, HPFS, or other file systems may result in errors.
There are a few different ways to format your SD card to FAT32 for the Switch:
- On a Windows PC using the built-in Windows formatter tool. Instructions can be found here: https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/eula_windows/
- On a Mac using the Disk Utility app. Instructions here: https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/eula_mac/
- Directly on the Nintendo Switch in the System Settings menu. Go to System > Formatting Options > Format SD Card. This will erase all data on the card.
It’s recommended to back up any files you want to keep before formatting the SD card. Once formatted to FAT32, the SD card will be ready to use with your Switch.
Transferring Data to the SD Card
Before using your SD card with your Nintendo Switch, you’ll need to transfer any game data, screenshots, or other files you want to store on it. There are a couple ways to do this.
The most straightforward method is to remove the SD card from your Switch and insert it into your computer’s SD card reader. You can then copy and paste files directly onto the SD card as you would with a normal external storage device. Once the transfer is complete, safely eject the SD card and insert it back into the Switch.
You can also transfer data wirelessly if you have both your original Switch and new Switch console. On the original Switch, go to System Settings -> Data Management -> Transfer Your Save Data. This will allow you to transfer game save data and user information to the new Switch over a local wireless connection (source). However, this method will not transfer screenshots or other media files saved to the SD card.
Be sure only to transfer data from an officially licensed SD card to avoid any compatibility issues. And if transferring from another Switch, make sure to remove the old SD card before inserting the new one.
Inserting the SD Card into the Switch
To insert the SD card into your Nintendo Switch, you’ll first need to locate the SD card slot. This slot is located under the kickstand on the back of the console. Gently swing the kickstand up to expose the slot.
Once you’ve located the SD card slot, hold the SD card with the logo facing toward the screen and the contacts facing down. Gently slide the SD card into the slot until you hear a click. This indicates it is fully inserted. Be sure not to force the card into place.
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Once fully inserted, you can close the kickstand. Avoid removing the SD card while the console is powered on, as this can lead to data corruption or loss. The card should click smoothly into place if aligned properly.
Checking the SD Card Storage
Once you have inserted the SD card into your Nintendo Switch, you’ll want to check how much storage space is available. Here are the steps to check the SD card storage:
Go to System Settings on the Switch. You can access System Settings from the home screen by selecting the gear icon in the top right corner.
Select Data Management. This option is usually near the bottom of the list on the left side of the System Settings screen.
Under Data Management, you will see a section for MicroSD Cards. Here you can view info about your inserted SD card, including the total capacity and available space.
The info under MicroSD Cards displays both the total storage capacity of your SD card and the available free space you can still utilize. This allows you to see how much room you have left to download games, apps, screenshots, and other data.[1]
Moving Games and Data to the SD Card
Once you have an SD card properly formatted and inserted into your Nintendo Switch, you can move games, updates, and downloadable content from the Switch’s internal storage to the SD card.
To move data to the SD card:
- On the HOME Menu, select “System Settings” → “Data Management” → “Move Data Between System / MicroSD Card”.
- Select the game data you want to move. You can choose individual games, updates, and downloadable content.
- Select “Move” to begin transferring the data to the SD card.
The transfer process may take some time depending on the amount of data being moved. The game icons will remain visible on your Switch’s home screen during the transfer.
According to Nintendo Support, downloaded software, update data, and DLC are displayed as separate content items that you can move. Save data cannot be moved to the SD card and will remain on the system memory.[1]
Playing Games from the SD Card
Once games are moved from the Switch’s internal memory to the SD card, they will load and run normally during gameplay. You shouldn’t notice any difference in performance compared to playing games directly from the internal storage.
However, some users have reported longer initial load times when launching games that have been transferred to the SD card, versus those still on the Switch’s internal memory. This is likely due to the read/write speeds of the SD card being slower than the internal memory in most cases.
According to tests by How-To Geek, lower speed SD cards can increase load times by over 60% compared to the Switch’s built-in storage. Using a higher performance SD card, preferably UHS-I speed or above, will help minimize any difference in load times.
So in summary – once loaded, games play perfectly fine from the SD card. But you may encounter slightly longer initial launch times for SD card games depending on your card’s capabilities.
Managing and Removing the SD Card
It is important to properly manage and remove the SD card from your Nintendo Switch to avoid data loss or corruption. Before removing the SD card, you must safely eject it so that all data transfers are completed.
To safely eject the SD card, go to System Settings > Data Management. Here you can delete any data you no longer need to free up space on the SD card. Select “Manage Software” to delete any downloaded games or saves you want removed. You can also select “Delete Save Data” to remove individual save files.
Once you’ve freed up space and deleted any unneeded data, select “MicroSD Card” from the Data Management menu. Choose “Eject” to safely disconnect the SD card. Wait for the console to finished writing any data and display a message that it is safe to remove the card.
Then, gently push in on the SD card to release it and slide it out of the console. Be careful not to force the card or remove it before properly ejecting it first. Following these steps helps ensure no critical data on the card gets corrupted when swapping or removing the SD card from your Switch.1
Troubleshooting SD Card Issues
If your Nintendo Switch is having issues recognizing or reading your SD card, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:
First, try gently removing the SD card and reinserting it to make sure it is properly seated in the slot. You can also try switching the SD card to the other SD card slot on the Switch if there is one.
If that doesn’t work, you may need to reformat the SD card. Go to System Settings > Formatting Options on your Switch and choose to format the SD card. This will erase any data on the card, so make sure to back up your data first. Reformatting the card can fix issues where the Switch does not recognize the card. According to some users, reformatting the card can resolve SD card read issues if the Switch is not detecting the card.
If you still have problems after reinserting and reformatting the SD card, the issue could be due to a faulty SD card reader on the Switch. You may need to contact Nintendo Support for a hardware repair or replacement in that case.
Choosing the Best SD Card for Your Needs
When choosing an SD card for your Nintendo Switch, there are a few key factors to consider:
Balance price and capacity. SD cards range widely in price based on their storage capacity. A good balance is typically found with cards in the 128-256GB range, which provide plenty of space for games without being too expensive. Going with a lower capacity like 64GB may fill up fast, while high capacity 512GB+ cards come at a premium price.
Prioritize read speed. The read speed determines how fast games and apps can load from the SD card. Look for read speeds of at least 80-100MB/s. Top cards boast speeds up to 160MB/s for ultra fast loading.
Consider a branded card from a reliable company. Trusted brands like SanDisk, Samsung, Lexar, and Kingston are known for making quality and durable SD cards ideal for the Switch.
The SanDisk Ultra and Samsung EVO Select cards are well reviewed and reliable models to consider in the 128-256GB range.