Managing Switch storage: microSD cards, archiving and data management

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Download a few big games and your Switch soon announces that there is not enough space. Before you delete anything in a panic, it helps to know how storage works on each console, which memory cards to buy and the difference between deleting and archiving software.

Internal storage and save data

Both the original Switch and the Switch 2 have built-in storage for games, updates, screenshots and save data. Save data in particular always lives in the console's system memory. It cannot be moved to a memory card, so a memory card never holds your progress. That makes save backups important. With a Nintendo Switch Online membership, compatible games back up saves automatically to the cloud. Some games do not support cloud saves, and for those the console itself is the only copy.

Which memory card fits which console

This is where many people buy the wrong thing.

Original Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite use standard microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards.
Nintendo Switch 2 only accepts microSD Express cards for storing games. Look for the EX marking on the card and packaging. Nintendo says Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards up to 2 TB.

An ordinary microSD card from an older Switch is not useless on a Switch 2: you can use it to copy screenshots and videos across, but you cannot play games from it. When buying, stick to reputable brands from well-known retailers, since fake cards that report more capacity than they hold are common.

Setting up a card

Power the console off completely before inserting or removing a card.
Insert the card and switch on. The console may ask to format the card or restart.
New downloads are then saved to the card automatically when there is room, with the console keeping space for system files.

Do not remove a card while the console is on, and do not swap cards between consoles expecting games to carry over: the content on a card is tied to the console that wrote it.

Archive or delete?

Both options are under System Settings, Data Management. The choice matters.

Archive Software removes the game's program data but keeps its save data and the icon on your HOME Menu. When you want to play again, select the icon to redownload it, and your progress is still there.
Delete Software removes the game and its save data on that console. Unless you have a cloud backup, that progress is gone.

For freeing space, archiving is almost always the right choice. Games bought digitally can be redownloaded from the eShop at no cost while you keep the same Nintendo Account.

Finding what takes up space

Data Management shows how much each game uses and how much space is free in system memory and on the card. Useful habits:

Sort by size and archive the large games you have finished.
Check screenshots and video captures. Clips add up, especially on a Switch 2. Copy favourites to a computer or phone and delete the rest.
Move data between system memory and card from the Data Management menu if one is full and the other has room.

Physical games and storage

Cartridges hold the game itself, but updates and downloadable content still go to internal storage or the card. On Switch 2, game-key cards contain only a key and the game downloads in full, so they need just as much space as a digital purchase.

A quick plan when space runs out

Turn on cloud save backup if you have Nintendo Switch Online.
Archive finished or rarely played games.
Clear old screenshots and video captures.
Only then consider a larger memory card of the right type.

Storage menus change slightly between system updates, so check Nintendo's support pages if an option has moved. Which memory card are you using, and how do you keep your storage tidy? Share your tips in the comments.