If you buy a new Switch and resell your existing Switch or give it to someone close to you, you can move without worrying regarding it, but if you use both Switches with the same Nintendo account, there are some things you need to pay attention to. It is a bit complicated if it is the first time to transfer game save data (save file), and there are games that cannot transfer data or can transfer data completely by using a dedicated application.
In fact, there were cases where the user mistakenly thought that the data was transferred from the surroundings and initialized it or accidentally threw the data. Nintendo is officially supporting the use of up to two Switches with one Nintendo account, but there were some people who had difficulty because of the subtle conditions. I’m writing a guide in the hopes of helping to prevent this from happening once more. I’m never trying to fiddle with the switch as an excuse for work.
Moving of users and moving of stored data
First, let’s briefly review the differences between the two.
Before explaining the moving of stored data, let’s take a closer look at the biggest framework of data moving methods. If you have a good sense of it, you will notice roughly what it is with just the name, but to explain it easily, moving all information that can be transferred, such as the user’s profile and saved data, to another switch, and moving the save data is the game’s save file (save data) only.
Then you might think that it is okay to move the user, but there is a big difference between the two, which is whether or not to use the existing switch. When a user moves one user’s information from the old Switch to the new one, the information on the old Switch is automatically deleted, but the save data move allows both Switches to use the same Nintendo Account and only moves save game data. The biggest feature is that games purchased from the Nintendo E-Shop can be downloaded and enjoyed on both consoles.
In other words, if you are no longer using the old Switch or will use a new Nintendo account, it is better to move the user, and if you want to use the two switches alternately, it is better to use the method of moving the saved data.
Precautions when using the method of moving stored data
If the game doesn’t work, it means you don’t have an internet connection.
If you’re using the storage data migration method to use two Switches with one Nintendo account, there are some things you should know. That is, which device is the ‘main body that you always play’. A Nintendo account is always set to one main body to play. You can enjoy games without any restrictions as before with a switch set to the main body you play all the time, but with a switch that is not set, you can enjoy the games you purchased only while connected online. In other words, it is recommended to use a switch that is not set as the main body to play all the time, mainly in dock mode, such as at home or in a room, and use it in a place where the Internet is always maintained.
You can always change the main body you always play, and the method is simple. First, connect to the Nintendo E-Shop with your existing Switch. Then, select your profile in the upper right corner to view your Nintendo account information. From there, scroll down the right pane a bit and you’ll see the console settings you’re always playing. You can see that the main body is automatically registered, and if you press the Home button following releasing it and leave it alone, it is half successful.
Finally, connect to the Eshop with the switch you want to set as the main body you always play. As before, you can check that you are automatically registered if you go into the settings of your Nintendo Account that you always play. If registered properly, you can enjoy all games anywhere.
It is not recommended to replace the SD memory card immediately.
The SD memory card may be initialized.
If you are moving your saved data, you are using the same Nintendo account anyway, so why not just replace the SD memory you were using like a SIM card? I hope you stop thinking regarding it soon. Only games, screenshots, and videos are saved on the SD memory card. User data and game save data are unconditionally stored on the Switch, so it cannot be used even if an SD memory card is inserted into the new Switch.
A notification window opens saying that it is an SD memory card that stores information from other switches and recommends initialization. Only the game files installed on the SD memory card are deleted, and the screenshots and videos you took are retained, but if you plan to use the SD memory card on an existing switch, you will have to reinstall the game, so be careful. The most convenient way is to purchase a new SD memory card and use the memory of the two switches separately.
Saving data and moving
There are two ways to transfer data. What is the difference?
There are two methods of moving the stored data. In general, moving of stored data can be used only when two switches are located close to each other like a user’s moving, and the data in the old switch is deleted while moving the data in the old switch to the new switch. Contrary to this, the storage data entrustment is a method of sharing the stored data by backing up or downloading the stored data to an online server. This way, both switches can share the same save files, and even if the two devices are far apart, you can always back up and download your saves as long as they’re online.
Then, ‘Isn’t it always better to leave the saved data?’ I would like to, but there is one important point. Saving data is a service that can only be used by Nintendo accounts registered with Nintendo Switch Online. If you haven’t signed up for Nintendo Switch Online, you can only move saved data.
There are a few more conveniences in entrusting save data, and you can check the list of games that do not have save data on the main unit. By checking this, you can easily see what saved data you need to get. In addition, you can set automatic data backup and download in the settings, so you can synchronize the saved data on your own without having to manually transfer the saved data. As it is a paid service, it is convenient to manage stored data.
In summary, moving save data has the disadvantages of having to send each game save data one by one, deleting the saved data of the device you moved, and having the two devices located close to each other, but you can use it for free.
Saved data can be backed up and downloaded from anywhere as long as there is an online connection, and both devices can be shared, providing convenience through settings, but it has the disadvantage of having to subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online.
Games in which data transfer methods are unusual or impossible
It’s not common, but it’s such an embarrassing game
Data migration methods are not always perfect. Unfortunately, a handful of games do not support data migration methods. Typical examples are 1-2-Switch and Animal Forest. What these games have in common is that save data is not saved per user. In other words, data transfer is not supported for games that multiple users can enjoy with one data.
Fortunately, let’s gather the saved data can be completely transferred by using a dedicated application in Animal Forest. If you search and download ‘Gathering Animal Crossing Island Moving Service’ in the Nintendo E-Shop, you can move the saved island or receive the island you want to send. However, this method can only be moved when the two switches are close to each other, like moving stored data.
