It has been years since you brought your Switch home. Your Switch has stood by you throughout everything that life threw at you—passing exams, going on vacation, applying for jobs, or even calming you down before a big event. In fact, it could even be your longest running relationship.
However, like any relationship, your Switch may be crying out for help without you knowing it. Years of gaming can take a toll on anyone. Thankfully, Nintendo gives us data management options for when our console needs to decompress. Here's how to manage your Nintendo Switch storage.
What is Data Management?
Data management helps transfer Switch games from your console to an external microSD Card, making it possible to play games saved while avoiding maxing out your existing system storage. However, your saved game data will always be locked to your system memory.
Switch data management can also let you know when you last played certain games. Hopefully, you can use this to help you decide if you want to keep it on your console or say goodbye for the last time.
Related: How to Check Your Play Time on Nintendo Switch Games
Steps to Use Data Management on Nintendo Switch
Here’s how you can use data management to transfer your games from console to microSD card.
- To use data management, go to System Settings. Then, scroll down and select Data Management. From there, you can see the free space on both your console and microSD card.
- Next, select Manage Software and select the game you want to transfer. Then, choose Archive Software > Archive.
- Press the home button and select the game you want to archive from your home screen and select Download.
Issues with Data Management on Switch
Although the data management certainly helps many gamers manage their experience, it has a few issues.
Default Storage Location Selection
By default, there is no option to select the download location of updates, DLC, and games. With this, you may find that your console automatically stores games on your microSD instead. While it’s easy to increase the size of storage using a microSD, this poses a few problems for some users. For example, users who prefer to just have their games on their Switch console storage because they use their microSD for other purposes.
No microSD Card Sharing
You can't use a microSD paired to a Switch on a different Switch console. While this is a great way to prevent piracy and game sharing, it poses a few issues such as you cannot easily share your microSD with a co-worker if you’re looking to consolidate screenshots for reviews. While ordinary people won’t have an issue with this, those using their Switch for professional purposes might be a little bothered.
Related: Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a MicroSD Card
Limited Game Progression Transfers
These days, games are often available on several platforms. For this reason, many of us would prefer a way to transfer our games from our desktops, when we’re at home, to our Switch, when we’re on the go. Some popular cross-platform games like Hades and Minecraft have cross save and support save file transfer. Aside from this, games like Fortnite and Rocket League also allow cross-platform progression. Unfortunately, most games bought on Switch lock to its specific hardware and you can't cross-save at all.
Difficulty Moving Data Between microSD cards
Many of us buy microSD cards thinking whatever storage they have is going to be enough. However, we can also underestimate how much we actually need after several years of use. Unfortunately, transferring games from one microSD card to another is not so straightforward. There is no drag-and-drop option, so you will have to delete the game manually and download it again to your new microSD card.
Manage Your Switch Data
When it comes to managing your Switch data, Nintendo has offered a reasonable number of options. Unfortunately, it’s not without a few issues you should definitely know about.
If you’re hoping to make use of your Switch data management, manage your expectations when it comes to transferring game data and playing across consoles. Furthermore, don’t forget to invest in as much storage as you can to future-proof all the games that will your Switch home for the years to come.
