The Nintendo Switch is a great console with loads of potential. However, its storage options leave a lot to be desired. You get only 32 GB of internal storage and the option to expand that by using a microSD card. While this isn’t enough room for many games, you can install smaller titles to free up some space. Even so, you may quickly reach your limit if you plan on buying many games digitally or if you have lots of saved files from other portable devices. There are many accessories for the Nintendo Switch, but do you need one in particular? If you want to store plenty of game files off your system or just want an easy way to back up your save data, then yes – the Nintendo Switch memory card is something that you need! Keep reading to learn more about these accessories and whether or not they’re worth investing in.
Do You Need A Memory Card For Nintendo Switch?
It depends on the games you are playing If you are playing Nintendo games from a cartridge, a memory card is not required. However, if you are playing games with a memory card, such as from Nintendo Switch Online, a memory card is required.
How Do Nintendo Switch Memory Cards Work?
1. Install Games On Your Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch has 32GB of internal storage, which is about 25GB after system software and an automatic backup are accounted for. This is plenty of storage for most people, but some gamers have a larger-than-average library of games. If you’re using an SD card with your Nintendo Switch, you can install your games to it. This is especially useful if you’re playing on a handheld. If you have a ton of games on your Nintendo Switch, the system will only show five titles at a time. If you want to play a different game, you’ll have to first remove the game that’s currently selected. With games installed on an SD card, you can scroll through and select any title you want without interrupting gameplay.
2. Back Up Your Data
If there’s one thing that can destroy the gaming experience, it’s losing your data. Whether it’s a game on your Nintendo Switch or progress that you’ve made in a different title — it’s not a pleasant feeling. Fortunately, Nintendo has made it easy to protect your data by backing it up to your SD card. Nintendo is working on a cloud-based service that will let you back up your Switch data online, but that functionality won’t arrive until later in the year. In the meantime, you can back up your data to an SD card. The first step is to go to System > Save Data Management. From here, you can select the data you want to back up. Click “Next” and select your SD card as the destination. Once that’s done, you can safely store your Switch. If you ever lose your data or get a new Switch, you can simply copy the data from the SD card and you’re good to go.
3. Transfer Game Files Between Consoles
If you have multiple Nintendo Switch consoles in the house, you can save space on all of them by moving game files from one to another. This is a great option for families, as it lets each person use their own account. To transfer files, first go to System > Save Data Management. Select the game and choose “Transfer.” From there, select the console to which you want to transfer the game. Once the transfer is complete, the game will be available on that console and won’t be on the one you selected. Be careful not to transfer the wrong file. While Nintendo has made it easy to do, there’s no obvious way to cancel the transfer once it begins.
4. Delete Unwanted Game Files And Data
If you’ve outgrown a game that’s taking up precious space on your SD card, you can delete it. Before you do, make sure that you’ve transferred any saved data or game files to another console. Otherwise, you’ll lose that data when you delete the game. To delete a game, go to System > Save Data Management and select the game. From here, select “delete” and confirm that you want to delete the game and all associated data. This is also a great way to clear up space on your SD card if you’re running low. If you have a lot of game data on your SD card and want to clear up space, you can also delete data from specific games. Go to System > Save Data Management, select the game, and choose “delete selected items.” From here, you can delete data, wallpapers, etc.
5. Transferring Data To The Sd Card
If you want to transfer data from your SD card to your Nintendo Switch, there are a couple of ways to do it. Nintendo has made it easy to transfer data between the SD card and the internal storage of your Nintendo Switch. To do this, go to System > Transfer Data > Save Data Management. Select the data that you want to transfer and click “next.” Select the device you want to transfer the data to and click “next” again.
Should You Buy A Nintendo Switch Memory Card?
- If you want to store plenty of game files off your system or just want an easy way to back up your save data, then yes – the Nintendo Switch memory card is something that you need! The idea of moving game data from the console’s internal memory to the microSD is a great idea. The Nintendo Switch doesn’t have enough storage space for most gamers, so it’s definitely a good idea to add a microSD card if you have lots of games and save files.
- You can also use it for other reasons, like storing save data or backing up game data. The only real downside is that you need an SD card reader in order to use them. This means that you need an extra accessory in addition to your Switch. If you already own an SD card reader, then it may be worth buying one for the memory cards alone. The only other downside is that you can’t transfer files directly from the Switch to a memory card. You can only move them from the memory card to another device. It’s still a good idea, but you need to use an SD card reader in order to do so.
- If you own a Nintendo Switch and want to store plenty of game files off your system or just want an easy way to back up your save data, then yes – you definitely need a Nintendo Switch memory card. These are essential accessories that can help you avoid running out of space on your system. Unlike the PS4 and Xbox One, which use internal storage, the Nintendo Switch only comes with 32 GB of onboard storage.
- This is enough to store a handful of games and save data, but the console’s limited storage space can become a problem when you want to download a lot of titles on the system. If you plan on downloading more than a few digital games or have a lot of saved data from other devices, you’ll quickly need more storage space.
Which Nintendo Switch Memory Card Should You Get?
- The type of Nintendo Switch memory card that you need depends on your needs. If you want to store lots of game files off your system, then you’ll want to get a microSD card with a large storage capacity.
- You can find cards with 32 GB, 64 GB, 128 GB, 256 GB, and even 2 TB of space. If you just want a way to back up your to save data, a smaller card will work just fine. You can also get microSD cards in different types. The most common are SDHC and SDXC.
- SDHC cards have a capacity of 32 GB to 2 TB. SDXC cards have a capacity of 64 GB to 2 TB. The difference between the two types is capacity and speed. You’ll want to pick a card based on your needs.
Final Words
As you can see, the Nintendo Switch memory card is a useful accessory if you own a hybrid console. This card lets you expand the console’s internal storage and move games and save data between devices. Whether you want to store plenty of game files off your system or simply want an easy way to back up your save data, a Nintendo Switch memory card is essential. You can get these cards in different capacities so that you can store whatever amount of data you need.
