How To Transfer Your Games Easily?

The transition from one generation of consoles to another is always a delicate moment. Beyond the debates on the interest of buying a new machine, we must above all ensure that the transition takes place without damage, in particular so as not to lose dozens, sometimes hundreds, of hours of play. Fortunately, Nintendo has prepared the ground with a major system update designed for the Switch 2, but the actual transfer of data remains a step that players must manage themselves.

Many players received the Nintendo Switch 2 for Christmas, and one question comes up quite often: what happens to the games and saves from the old Switch if you owned one? On this point, Nintendo wants to be reassuring. The new console is compatible with the vast majority of physical and digital games from the first Switch, and the Nintendo Switch Online subscription remains fully usable.

What data can you transfer?

System transfer allows you to recover all items linked to your Nintendo account. This includes user profiles, digital games purchased from the eShop, all save data, screenshots and videos, as well as parental control settings and some system settings. Once the transfer is complete, your digital games will appear in the download section of the eShop and can be retrieved automatically or manually depending on your priorities.

Your Nintendo Switch Online membership is also transferred, allowing you to immediately find your cloud saves, retro games and online features. Physical cartridges also work on Switch 2, although some titles may require updates or patches to provide optimal performance.

How to transfer your data?

Before starting the procedure, some checks are necessary. Both consoles must be charged, close to each other, and connected to a stable Wi-Fi network. It is strongly recommended to update the current Switch to the latest system software and verify that each user is linked to a Nintendo Account.

On the original Switch, go to console settings, then go to Usersand select Transfer a user and their save data. On Switch 2, during initial setup or through settings, choose Start a system transfer. Both consoles must remain turned on and connected to the same network for the duration of the operation. Once the connection is established, the data is automatically copied to the new machine.

And after the transfer?

Once the process is complete, digital games can be re-downloaded from the eShop, and it is advisable to start with the ones you want to play first. Controllers, Joy-Con and Bluetooth accessories will need to be re-paired, as will the Wi-Fi connection, as this information does not transfer automatically. Some game or system language specific settings may also require manual adjustment.

In case you parted ways with your old Switch before purchasing the Switch 2, Nintendo offers a temporary solution via cloud storage. This method backs up your data to Nintendo’s servers, but resets the console to factory settings. It should therefore only be used if you are sure of quickly recovering your new console.