Moving your data from the original Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2 takes one feature, System Transfer, but only while you set up the new console for the first time. It brings over digital games, users, save data, screenshots and Parental Controls. This guide covers what you need, what does not transfer, when to choose a local or a server transfer and what to do if your Switch 2 is already set up. Everything here follows Nintendo Support as of 20 October 2026.
The key rule: transfer only during initial setup
A system transfer can only be started during the initial setup of a new Switch 2. Once you finish setup without it, the option is gone. If you are still unboxing your Switch 2, do not rush to the HOME Menu. Get your original Switch ready first.
Already set up your new console? You still have options, they just take a bit more work. See the section further down.
What you need
- An internet connection on both consoles, Switch 1 and Switch 2.
- The latest system version on your original Switch.
- A Nintendo Account linked to the user on Switch 1. Without it, not everything comes across, cloud saves in particular.
On Switch 1 you will find the transfer under System Settings → System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2.
What transfers and what does not
| Transfers | Does not transfer (set it up again) |
|---|---|
| Digital games (downloaded again after the transfer) | Paired Bluetooth audio devices |
| Users and their settings, linked Nintendo Accounts | Custom controller button mapping |
| Friends and play activity | Time and time zone |
| Save data, screenshots and videos | Region and language |
| Registered network connections | GameChat settings (need adjusting) |
| Parental Controls and the link to the Parental Controls app | |
| Mii characters, console status for virtual game cards, icon order |
Parents will be glad to hear that limits, the PIN and the link to the smartphone app carry over automatically. Everything you can set for kids is covered in our guide to parental controls on Switch 2.
Local transfer: both consoles side by side
Nintendo recommends a local transfer if you have both consoles at hand. In short:
- Update your original Switch to the latest system and check that the user has a linked Nintendo Account.
- Turn on Switch 2 and start the initial setup. When the console offers a transfer, choose it.
- On Switch 1, open
System Settings→System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2. - Follow the prompts on both screens. Both consoles need to be online.
- When it is done, set the time, region and language on Switch 2 and pair your Bluetooth headphones again.
Watch what stays on the old console. Save data for games that support Save Data Cloud stays on Switch 1 for linked users. All other save data is deleted from the old console, along with users who have no Nintendo Account. If you plan to keep playing on the original Switch, factor that in before you start.
Server transfer: when you do not have Switch 2 yet
The second route suits you if you are selling or giving away your old Switch before buying the new one. You upload the data to Nintendo’s server and Switch 2 downloads it during initial setup.
- After the upload, the source console is restored to factory settings. Data for every user on it is deleted, so check with the whole household first.
- The data stays on the server for up to one year. You need to finish the transfer on Switch 2 within that time.
- You can check the transfer status in your Nintendo Account under
System Transfers.
My Switch 2 is already set up. Now what?
A full system transfer only works if you restore Switch 2 to factory settings and go through initial setup again. If you would rather not, there are two smaller routes:
- Transfer Your Save Data: moves save data user by user from Switch 1 to Switch 2.
- Save Data Cloud: with a Nintendo Switch Online membership you can download your cloud save backups. Prices are in our guide to Nintendo Switch Online.
Animal Crossing: your island moves with the system
Your island from Animal Crossing: New Horizons comes across with the full system transfer. You do not need the Island Transfer Tool. Keep in mind the island is deleted from the source console, so it will no longer be on your Switch 1. Nintendo confirms this in its Switch 2 FAQ.
Your old microSD card
Switch 2 only uses microSD Express cards for games. It will not use a standard microSD card from Switch 1 for games. During the transfer, though, it reads screenshots and videos from that card, so your captures are safe. Digital games download again after the transfer, to internal storage or to a new microSD Express card. More on what changed between the two consoles is in our backward compatibility guide.
If an error code pops up during the transfer, for example because of the internet connection, Nintendo’s official fixes are collected in our overview of error codes for Switch 2. Nintendo describes the whole process on its System Transfers support page.
Join our Discord to swap tips with other players who have already moved to Switch 2: GamersTogether Discord.
FAQ
A full system transfer only works during initial setup. If Switch 2 is already set up, you either restore it to factory settings or move just your save data with Transfer Your Save Data or Save Data Cloud with Nintendo Switch Online.
With a server transfer, yes: the source console is restored to factory settings. With a local transfer, save data without Save Data Cloud support and users without a Nintendo Account are deleted from the old console.
Up to one year. You can check the status in your Nintendo Account under System Transfers.
Digital games transfer and download again afterwards. Physical cards you simply put into Switch 2, and their save data comes across with the rest of your data.
Paired Bluetooth audio devices and custom button mapping. You set the time, time zone, region and language manually, and GameChat settings need adjusting.
Information verified on 20 October 2026. More guides for the new console are in our Nintendo Switch 2 section.