How to transfer nintendo switch games to another account

If you're upgrading to a new Nintendo Switch, you'll want to transfer all your old data to that new console. Even though the basic hardware platform has remained unchanged since 2017, there are now several versions of this hybrid handheld. You may have upgraded from a standard Switch to the more recent OLED version -- or maybe you moved to the more portable Switch Lite.

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The first time we really had to deal with moving an account from one Switch to another was when the V2 version of the original hardware was released in 2019. That model was differentiated from the original with tweaks to the processor for better battery life.

Unfortunately, the way Nintendo handles your account, game permissions and saved-game data is, in typical Nintendo fashion, restrictive and complicated. That said, it's also better than it used to be, which almost always meant transferred data was deleted from your old Switch, even if you were keeping it.

Today, it's much easier, thanks to software updates. First make sure both the old and new Switches are updated to the latest version of the Switch system software. Do that by going to System settings > System > System update.

If you're unboxing a new Switch to transfer your data onto, you'll need to do the basic setup to get it on your Wi-Fi network first. We've got a full guide to setting up your new Switch that covers this initial setup. Account and data transfer is also covered there, along with other setup issues. But if you're just looking for the quickest way to transfer data, read on below.

This is easier if you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, which allows for online play and cloud backups.

Log into your Nintendo account on the new Switch (instructions here, if needed).

Go to Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud

Make sure both Automatic Save-Data Backup and Automatic Save-Data Download are on.

Go to the Nintendo eShop and tap on your icon in the upper-right corner.

On the subsequent account page, tap Redownload to see a list of games you can download to the new Switch.

If your cloud-saved data doesn't appear right away, put the new Switch to sleep. The cloud backup should sync shortly.

How to redownload games on your new Switch.

Dan Ackerman/CNET

If you don't subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online, it's a little more complex. Both consoles should be plugged in and on the same Wi-Fi network. My Switch wouldn't let me initiate the transfer unless the system was plugged in even though its battery was at 95%.

Go to System Settings > Users.

Scroll down and select Transfer Your User and Save Data. Important note: You don't select which user you're transferring yet. The Transfer button is below all user account icons on this screen.

Select whether this is the Source or Target of your data transfer. In this case, it's the source.

Then choose which account to transfer.

On the Target Switch, repeat the process, but choose Target instead of Source.

The OTA (over-the-air) transfer between two consoles is actually pretty quick and painless. But there's a catch: If you're not a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber and make use of the cloud save feature, your saved-game data will be deleted from the original Switch.

It's also worth noting that this is a one-user-at-a-time process, so you'll have to repeat it for each user account on your Switch and each user account will need an actual Nintendo account login (no, they're not the same, yes it's confusing).

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Want to learn how to transfer games from one Nintendo Switch to another? Whether you bought a new Switch or just want to have your game data and digital games on a different Switch, sharing data between Switches just takes a few minutes. We'll show two easy ways to move your games and account to a different Nintendo Switch.

1
Turn on both Nintendo Switch systems. This method will only work if you have access to the original Switch as well as your new Switch. The original Switch should have your Nintendo account linked so it can transfer that data to your new Switch.
2
Select
on both consoles. This gear icon will take you to System Settings.

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3
Select Users. You'll see this on the left side of the screen under "Parental Controls" and "Data Management."
- Both consoles will need to navigate here.
4
Select Transfer Your User and Save Data on both systems. It's on the right side of the screen under "Add User."
- Even though your new Switch is not transferring data, you'll need to start the process on your new Switch as well as your original Switch.
5
Select Next two times on both systems. By selecting Next, you're starting and continuing the transfer process.
6
Select Source Console on the original Switch. This will indicate that the original Switch will send data to the new Switch.
7
Select Target Console on the new Switch. This will indicate that the data from your original Switch should overwrite any data on the new Switch, including game save data.
8
Sign into your Nintendo account on the new Switch. Your new Switch should prompt you to sign in before you can continue.
9
Select Continue on the original Switch. Once you've successfully signed into your Nintendo Switch account on the new Switch, you'll need to select Continue on the original Switch to start the transfer process.
10
Bring your original and new Switch close together. You should see your profile picture reflected on the new Switch when your original Switch detects it and a message saying that the data from your original Switch will be transferred to the new Switch.
11

Select Transfer on the original Switch. You'll see a progress bar of the transfer on the new Switch system.
- The time for this process may vary depending on the amount of data you're transferring.
- Once the transfer is complete, you'll see a confirmation message on both systems as well as a note that a placeholder account is active on the original Switch so that any digital purchases on that system will be transferred to the new Switch and unavailable on the original console.[1]

1
Go to https://accounts.nintendo.com/ and deactivate the console. Using the Nintendo account that's connected to your original Switch, you can deactivate it as the primary console on your account.
- To get to the deregister button, go to Shop Menu > Deregister Primary Console and enter your Nintendo account password, then select Deregister twice to confirm.[2]
2
3
Navigate to the Nintendo eShop on the new Switch. Once you navigate to the store and login with your Nintendo account, this console will automatically be set as the primary console if there is none assigned.
- Once your new Switch is set to the Primary Console, you'll be able to play all the same games that you had purchased on your original Switch.
- Download your Save Data if you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership by going to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud > Download Save Data.[3]
- To be safe, you should most likely change your Nintendo account password.

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Article SummaryX

1. Turn on both Nintendo Switch systems.
2. Select the gear icon.
3. Select Users.
4. Select Transfer Your User and Save Data on both systems.
5. Select Next two times on both systems.
6. Select Source Console on the original Switch.
7. Select Target Console on the new Switch.
8. Sign into your Nintendo account on the new Switch and select Continue on the original Switch.
9. Bring your original and new Switch close together.
10. Select Transfer on the original Switch.