How to Use Data Management to Free Up Space on Your Nintendo Switch

It can be annoying when you're trying to install a game on your Nintendo Switch, only to receive a notification telling you that the console doesn't have enough space in its system memory.You could simply delete some games, screenshots, and videos to make room, but with data management, you can clear up space without permanently losing game data and media.

Here's how data management can help you free up space on your Nintendo Switch.

1. Transfer game data from your Nintendo Switch to a microSD card

If you don't want to delete a game and don't want it to take up space on your Switch's storage, you can transfer it to a microSD card.After inserting the microSD card into the Switch, follow the steps below to transfer game data:

1. Go to System Settings on your Nintendo Switch.

2. In the left menu, scroll down and select Data Management.From there, you can see the space available on your console and microSD card.

3. In the right pane, select Move data between console/microSD card.

4. Select Move to MicroSD card.

5. On the left pane, select the game you want to transfer, then select Move Data on the right pane.

6. In the window that pops up, select "Move" and wait for the transfer to complete -- the time to complete will depend on the size of the game and its data.

You should now have some free space on your Nintendo Switch.However, keep in mind that you won't be able to use this microSD with another Switch console.It's locked to your console, which means you'll need to format it if you want to use it on another system.

2. Transfer screenshots and videos from system storage to microSD card and PC

If you take a lot of screenshots and videos, eventually, they will take up a large portion of your system storage.With data management, you can transfer them to a microSD card or to your Windows computer.

To transfer screenshots and videos from system storage to a microSD card, follow these steps:

1. Go to System Settings on your Nintendo Switch.

2. Scroll down and select Data Management.

3. Scroll down and select Manage Screenshots and Videos.

4. In the Copy/Delete Screenshots and Videos section, select System memory.

5. Select Copy all screenshots and videos to microSD card to move the media out of the console and free up space.

To transfer screenshots and videos to your computer using Data Management, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Nintendo Switch to your PC using a USB-C cable.

2. Open the Manage Screenshots and Videos screen in Data Management (steps XNUMX-XNUMX above).

3. Scroll down and select Copy to PC via USB connection.

4. You should see a popup on your Nintendo Switch that says "Your console is now connected to your computer".

5. On your computer, go to "This PC" > "Nintendo Switch">"Albums" to find screenshots and videos stored on the console. Every game and software you capture will have its own dedicated folder.

6. Move the media to the desired location on your computer by cutting and pasting.

7. Back on your Switch, select Disconnect in the pop-up window.

Screenshots and videos should no longer appear in your system storage.

3. Archive games on your Nintendo Switch

If you don't have a microSD card, or you've run out of external storage, it makes sense to delete games on your Nintendo Switch.But what if you want to play it again in the future?

Well, in this case, you should save the game on your Nintendo Switch, which will delete the game but keep its save data in system storage.Once you've re-downloaded the game on your Nintendo Switch, you can pick up right where you left off.

Nintendo Switch's data management comes to your rescue

When your Nintendo Switch runs out of space, you can simply clear up some space without losing your games, screenshots, and videos by transferring them to a microSD card.You can even delete games but keep their save data using the archive software feature.All this can be achieved through data management.