Save data is stored in the system memory, and for the most part it is associated with the individual user. So long as the same user is selected on the console, the save data will not be impacted whether the software is played from a game card or downloaded from Nintendo eShop.
Yes, a microSD card can be used to save screenshots and software data, including downloaded software, software updates, and DLC. For more information about using microSD cards on Nintendo Switch, click here.
If you purchase a physical version of a game that requires an additional microSD card, you will be able to play a portion of the game right out of the box (for example, specific levels or modes). To enjoy the full game, however, downloading additional data is required. Depending on the storage requirements for each game, it may be necessary to purchase a microSD card to expand storage space.
I'm fairly new to the Switch (just bought one a few months ago), and a friend of mine has been playing BOTW using my console. I have a separate profile (User 1) for my BOTW gaming, and I set up another user for her (User 2) so we each have our own save data going on. (I also have some games I purchased digitally on her profile that I've been playing).
She recently got her own Switch, and I'm wondering...is it possible to transfer ONLY the BOTW saved data? As I mentioned, I did (without thinking) start playing some digitally downloaded games under the same profile that has her BOTW saved data. I'd like to move just her BOTW saves to this new Switch that she has, while keeping my digital downloads (which are under the same profile as her BOTW saves). Is this in any way possible? I'm willing to subscribe to Nintendo Online for the cloud feature as well if that makes things more feasible/easy.
Yes, it is as long as she has her own account setup you need to go to Nintendo site and follow their FAQ on doing data migration to do it correctly. She might have to redownload the game onto her Switch from her account again but her data should transfer over. So check with Nintendo Support FAQ on data transfer. Games downloaded on her account will move to her account but you can't access them if the other player is using them.
As far as I've seen, you can't transfer save data for just one game. You can only transfer a user's save data collection, as a whole. Nintendo support for US/Canada is pretty good, though(usually), for asking questions, if you wanted to ask there. You can use their phone, or chat messenger. (I've had great experiences, impressive actually, with them in recent years, but over christmas, I got a newb/temp that had to look everything up before answering. If you get someone like that, try calling back, or ask nicely for someone more experienced)
Again, details about how to choose primary/non-primary consoles was/is a bit fuzzy. But it seems like linking the two Switch consoles is kinda the only way to do it? I was told by someone at GameStop that I could then just choose the game file for which I would want to sent the save file. Does that make sense? Would that be a feasible alternative?
@Darko_Giac Yes, if you do a user save data transfer you have two options:
1. She'd end up having two consoles(a primary and non-primary),
2. Or, you do the transfer, and the everything on the source Switch gets deleted after the transfer - which removes her from the source Switch.
(Nintendo support has a page for setting Primary console, and another one for deregistering Primary console. The first console you set up, is by default, the Primary console)
Regarding transferring one game's save data - I can't confirm that. I've never seen anyone here discuss that here. I wont' claim to know everything, so I can't exclude it as a possiblity. If anyone knows different, or knows directions for transferring one one game's save data, by all means share. (Animal Crossing might be the exception? That game requires an app/download-tool to perform a save data transfer)
Yeah the rep just sent me the page about transferring save data from one Switch to another (like an old switch and YOUR new Switch), so it didn't really address the issue of, can I just transfer my save data to someone else. I really feel like this should be easier, but, first world problems.
If your friend has her NNID registered across both consoles, then all you have to do is wirelessly transfer the save data from one console to another via the Save Data Transfer option in Settings. Easy peasy. You will also need an internet connection to do this, however.
@Darko_Giac To my knowledge, you cannot transfer save data to another user. All your purchases, dlc, and game saves, are tied to your Nintendo account & your email address. No wiggle room, unfortunately.
Many people have made threads, like, a family had one switch for a while, and they got another switch for one of the kids/wife, and they couldn't single out game save data to transfer to the new switch. The new Switch with a new Nintendo account had to start a whole new game, because their game progress was on their dad's Switch user profile/Nintendo account.
@Darko_Giac : You've worded that wrong. Each user has a separate account. If User 2 has made a new NNID on their own console, then that is technically a THIRD account, and save data cannot be transferred to it, but if User 2 has the same NNID linked to both consoles, then you can transfer save data between consoles with ease.
What @WoomyNNYes was referring to is when multiple users share a single user profile. For example, Super Mario 3D World contains three save slots within the game itself (effectively giving each user three save slots), but if you and your friend were to share the same user profile, and your friend used one of those three slots after having launched the game under your profile, then there would be no way of transferring that save data to their own console, as what they should have done was use their own user account to launch the software instead. I hope that made sense.
You can only link 1 user profile with a Nintendo account. The second user profile has either no Nintemdo account or it has.
You said you have bought games on her profile, so it has an account.
Use that account on her Switch and you are good to go. You can transfer a single save file. I did this already with Splatoon and Pokemon because it doesn't have cloud save.
I just got a new switch console, trying to transfer the data to new console told me it was not supported. I assumed it would be kept server side. On booting the game on the new console it appears to start from the beginning with fresh data. Cloud saves are not supported either.
For now, you are not able to transfer data between different Nintendo Switches, which I think is very odd in my opinion. However, hopefully this will be changed at some point so your data on your accounts can be transferred between Switches. Currently, though, cross saving is not supported.
I can't say whether this method is "devoid of ban risks", but you can transfer the save from one Switch to another, provided you also share the same user accounts between both Switches.
To do that, you will need a Nintendo Account tied to the user profile, which means the hacked Switch will need to go online.
Once that is done, you can keep transferring saves between a shared user profile on both Switches.
Those transfers are done locally.
yeah. I've used the Official Nintendo method to transfer saves between my CFW and OFW devices before.
Tho of course, I don't do illegal nonsense using my devices, so supposedly that helps to mitigate the ban risk. But I can't say that for everyone, so as said above, just be careful with what you do, and only you yourself shall be held liable for your actions.
3. Note: This worked for the save in atmosphere, i saw the items, but when booting in OFW the save state was back to normal. Guess this might have been obvious for someone more knowledgable then me, but i have no clue about the inner workings of CFW, not mentioning my poor english.
erm, if you launch your save backing up homebrew (Checkpoint, JKSM etc) in Emunand, and proceeded to restore the save, it should not affect the save in your Sysnand.
You're speaking as tho restoring the save via CFW + Emunand would magically carry the save into Sysnand.
Granted, while there are some situations that that may work, it isn't suppose to work that way.
If you want to restore your save to your Sysnand, launch CFW on your Sysnand.
erm, if you launch your save backing up homebrew (Checkpoint, JKSM etc) in Emunand, and proceeded to restore the save, it should not affect the save in your Sysnand.
You're speaking as tho restoring the save via CFW + Emunand would magically carry the save into Sysnand.
Granted, while there are some situations that that may work, it isn't suppose to work that way.
If you want to restore your save to your Sysnand, launch CFW on your Sysnand.
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