If you’ve finally made the jump to the Nintendo Switch 2, first of all, congratulations. Once you’re done with the basic setup, one of the first things you’ll want to do is transfer your existing games to the new console, along with things like your account, saved data settings (or preferences) and more, so you can pick up where you left off. Thankfully, Nintendo has made the whole process of moving your games and data pretty simple, with your existing setup carrying over to the Switch 2. Here’s how to transfer your old games and save data to the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2: How to Transfer Your Old Games and Save Data
Before you get started with transferring your old games to the Switch 2, make sure your original Switch and your Switch 2 are fully charged and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. You’ll also want to update your original Switch to the most recent system firmware and double-check that the user profiles you plan to move are linked to a Nintendo Account.
Now, to transfer your old games to the Switch 2, open System Settings on your original Nintendo Switch. From there, go to Users and select “Transfer Your User & Save Data.” Select the user profile you want to move, confirm the linked Nintendo Account, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Next, power on your Nintendo Switch 2 and go through the initial setup. When the console asks if you wish to transfer data from another system, select “Start System Transfer.”
If you’ve already set up your Switch 2, you can still start a system transfer by heading to System Settings, selecting Users, and choosing Transfer Your User & Save Data from there. Once the Switch 2 detects your original Switch, it will guide you through pairing the two consoles. After that, your user profile, saved data, and settings will begin transferring automatically.
When the transfer is complete, you’ll be logged into Switch 2 using your Nintendo Account. Nintendo’s System Transfer does a pretty good job of moving everything tied to your Nintendo Account to the Switch 2, including your user profile, purchased digital games, save data for compatible titles, system settings and parental controls, Nintendo Switch Online membership, as well as screenshots and video grabs.
As for what doesn’t transfer automatically, you’ll need to set up a few things manually, like Bluetooth connections for controllers, headphones, and other accessories. Moreover, as passwords do not carry over, you’ll need to sign back into your Wi-Fi network. Finally, for some housekeeping, take a quick pass through your system and game settings after the transfer to confirm everything is set up the way you want.
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