Nintendo Switch 2 tips for new owners: transfer, GameChat, game-key cards
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The Switch 2 looks familiar, but several things work differently from the original Switch: how you move your data across, what kind of memory card it takes, what a game-key card is, and how voice chat now works. These are the things worth knowing in the first week.
Moving your data from a Switch 1
Nintendo offers a System Transfer during the Switch 2's initial setup, so have your old console charged and nearby before you start. There are two ways to do it:
- Local transfer: both consoles side by side, connected to the internet. Nintendo recommends this if you have both at the same time.
- Server transfer: upload your data from the old Switch to Nintendo's servers first, then download it on the Switch 2. This suits people who are trading in or selling the old console before the new one arrives. The old console is reset after it uploads.
Users, linked Nintendo Accounts, settings, friends and play activity move across. Digital games are not copied directly; they redownload on the Switch 2 afterwards, so you need an internet connection and some patience. Read Nintendo's support page on System Transfer before you start, especially if you have save data for games that do not support cloud backup, and note that you cannot transfer back from a Switch 2 to an original Switch.
Backwards compatibility
Most original Switch games, on cartridge and download, play on the Switch 2. A small number, especially those that rely on specific accessories or features, may not work fully; Nintendo keeps a list on its support site. Some older games have Nintendo Switch 2 Edition releases or paid upgrades that add improvements, and some get free updates that improve how they run.
Game-key cards
Some physical Switch 2 games come as game-key cards. The card in the box does not hold the full game; it acts as a key. The first time you play, the game downloads over the internet, and after that the card must be inserted whenever you want to play. Practical points:
- Check the box: game-key cards are marked on the packaging, along with the free space the download needs.
- You need storage space for the download, just as with a digital game.
- Like a normal cartridge, the card can be lent or resold; the new owner downloads the game themselves.
microSD Express: the card it actually takes
For extra storage the Switch 2 uses microSD Express cards, a faster type. Ordinary microSD cards from the original Switch cannot be used to store or play Switch 2 games. Look for the "EX" mark on the card and packaging. If you buy a bigger card later, Nintendo's support site explains how to move data from one microSD Express card to another using a computer.
Large games and game-key card downloads fill the internal storage quickly, so it is worth deciding early whether you need a card.
GameChat
GameChat is the Switch 2's built-in voice chat, opened from the C button on the right Joy-Con 2. You can talk with friends while playing, share your screen so they can watch, and, with a compatible USB camera such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera, add video. A few things to know:
- After a free open period that ended on 31 March 2026, GameChat requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
- A phone number must be registered to your Nintendo Account before you can use it.
- The console has a built-in microphone with noise reduction, so you can chat without a headset.
- Under-age accounts need a parent's permission through parental controls.
Parental controls
Nintendo's Parental Controls app for phones links to the console and lets parents set daily play time, restrict games by age rating, limit communication, and see what children have been playing. On the Switch 2, parents can also approve who a child may use GameChat with. Set this up during initial setup or later from System Settings, and go through the options with your child so the rules are clear.
A few more tips
- Joy-Con 2 mouse controls: the new Joy-Con can work like a mouse on a table in games that support it.
- Update before playing: install the latest system update after setup; early updates often improve compatibility with older games.
- Use a case: the larger screen is worth protecting, and a screen protector is cheap insurance.
Features and requirements can change with system updates and in different regions, so check Nintendo's support pages for the latest details. Share your own Switch 2 tips or ask about the transfer in the comments.