Switch to Switch: Transfer Saves & Accounts

Moving to a new Nintendo Switch doesn’t mean losing your progress or re‑buying your games. This guide walks you through transferring your user accounts and game save data from one Switch to another, covering both the built‑in system transfer and the cloud save option. You’ll need both consoles, a stable internet connection, and enough time (usually 10–30 minutes) to complete the process.

What You’ll Need

• Your original (source) Nintendo Switch and the new (target) Nintendo Switch.
• Both consoles charged or plugged into power.
• A stable Wi‑Fi connection for both consoles.
• Your Nintendo Account login details (email and password).
• If you have a microSD card in the source console, keep it handy (you may need it for screenshots or certain data).

Step-by-Step

There are two main methods: User Transfer (moves the user profile, saves, and settings) and Cloud Saves (downloads saves for games that support it). You can use both together for a complete migration.

Method 1: Transfer a User Account (Moves Saves & Profile)

1. Update both consoles: Make sure both the source and target Switch are updated to the latest system version. Go to System Settings → System → System Update on each.
2. On the source console: Go to System Settings → Users → Transfer Your User and Save Data.
3. Select Source Console (the one you’re transferring from).
4. On the target console: Go to the same menu: System Settings → Users → Transfer Your User and Save Data, but choose Target Console.
5. Both consoles will search for each other. When they appear, select the target console on the source, and the source console on the target to pair them.
6. Follow the on‑screen prompts. You’ll be asked to sign in with your Nintendo Account on the target console (if not already signed in).
7. Confirm the transfer on both consoles. The process will move the user profile, save data for all games, and settings. It may take several minutes.
8. Once done, the user will disappear from the source console. You can then re‑add it later if you want to keep playing on the old console (but it won’t have the saves).

Method 2: Cloud Saves (For Individual Games)

1. On the source console, go to System Settings → Data Management → Save Data Cloud.
2. Ensure the toggle for Automatic Save Data Backup is on. This uploads saves to the cloud whenever the console is online.
3. On the target console, sign in with the same Nintendo Account.
4. Go to System Settings → Data Management → Save Data Cloud and turn on Automatic Save Data Download (or manually download saves by selecting a game and choosing Download Save Data).
5. For games that don’t support cloud saves (like Splatoon 2 or Animal Crossing: New Horizons), you’ll need to use the User Transfer method above, or the built‑in Transfer Save Data feature for individual games (see below).

Method 3: Transfer Save Data for a Single Game

1. On the source console, go to System Settings → Data Management → Transfer Your Save Data.
2. Select Send Save Data to Another Console.
3. Choose the game whose save you want to move.
4. On the target console, go to the same menu and choose Receive Save Data.
5. Place the consoles close together and follow the prompts. This works for games that don’t support cloud saves, but it moves the save only (not the user profile).

Common Mistakes

• Not updating both consoles – the transfer feature may not appear or may fail if either console is outdated.
• Choosing the wrong console type – selecting “Source� on the target console (or vice versa) will cause the process to fail.
• Forgetting to back up cloud saves – if you don’t enable automatic backup, you may lose recent progress.
• Assuming all games support cloud saves – some titles (like Pokémon or Animal Crossing) have restrictions. Use the User Transfer method for those.
• Removing the user from the source before transferring – you can’t transfer a user that no longer exists.

Tips

• Do the User Transfer first, then check cloud saves for any games that were missed.
• If you have a large library, the transfer can take a while. Keep both consoles plugged in to avoid battery drain.
• After transferring, you can set the target console as your primary console (if you want to play offline). Go to eShop → your icon → Primary Console.
• If you’re moving to a Switch OLED or Switch Lite, the process is exactly the same.
• For screenshots and videos, you’ll need to manually copy them to a microSD card or use the Album’s “Send to Smartphone� feature.

Troubleshooting

• Consoles can’t find each other: Make sure both are on the same network and close together. Restart both consoles and try again.
• Transfer fails midway: Check your internet connection. If it’s unstable, try a wired connection (if you have a LAN adapter) or move closer to your router.
• User doesn’t appear on target after transfer: If the transfer says it’s complete but the user is missing, try restarting the target console. If that fails, you may need to re‑add the user manually and then use cloud saves to restore data.
• Game saves missing after transfer: Some games (like Splatoon 2) don’t support cloud saves. If you didn’t use the User Transfer method, you’ll need to use the single‑game transfer feature. If that doesn’t work, you may have to start over.
• Error code 2137-8056: This often indicates a network issue. Restart your router and try again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my user account without losing saves?

Yes, the User Transfer method moves the entire user profile, including all save data, to the new console. The source console will no longer have that user.

Do I need to transfer my games separately?

No. Games are tied to your Nintendo Account, not the console. After transferring the user, you can redownload your games from the eShop on the target console.

Can I transfer saves for Animal Crossing: New Horizons?

Animal Crossing has its own island transfer tool. You’ll need to download the free “Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island Transfer Tool� on both consoles and follow its instructions.

What happens to the user on the source console after transfer?

The user profile is removed from the source console. You can re‑add it later, but it will be a fresh profile with no saves.

Can I transfer saves from a Switch Lite to a regular Switch?

Yes, the process is identical. Just follow the same steps.

Do I need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription for cloud saves?

Yes, cloud saves require an active Nintendo Switch Online membership. The User Transfer method does not require a subscription.

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