Nintendo Switch · Storage & Backup

Expand and manage storage with a microSD card

Downloaded games, screenshots, and captures can quickly fill the console's built-in storage, and a microSD card lets you expand capacity and move software between internal storage and the card.

What you should know

  • Insert the microSD card into the slot under the kickstand on the back of the console while it's fully powered off.
  • Check current usage under System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Check Save Data/Screenshot Usage, or System Settings > Data Management for per-title breakdowns.
  • Move installed software between the system and the microSD card from Data Management > Manage Software > select a title > Move to microSD Card / Move to System Memory.
  • Format a new card for use with the console under System Settings > System > Formatting Options > Format microSD Card, which erases anything already on it.
  • Use a card rated UHS-I or faster for noticeably quicker load times on large open-world titles.

Never remove a microSD card while the console is powered on — doing so can corrupt game data or, in rare cases, the card itself.

Why it matters

Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite ship with relatively limited internal storage, and modern game file sizes have grown well beyond what fits comfortably without an expansion card.

Best practices

  • Buy a reputable brand microSD card rated at least UHS-I / U3 to avoid stutter during gameplay reads.
  • Leave a small buffer of free space rather than filling the card completely, since some titles need scratch space to install updates.
  • Back up important screenshots and captures to a phone or computer before reformatting a card.

Common problems and fixes

Console doesn't recognize the microSD card
Power off fully, reseat the card firmly until it clicks, and confirm it's a supported microSDHC/microSDXC card rather than a full-size SD or an unsupported format.
'The microSD card is corrupted' error
Back up what you can, then reformat the card from System Settings > Formatting Options — if the error recurs, the card itself is likely failing.

Tips and tricks

  • Software saved to a microSD card still requires that same card be inserted to launch — save data itself always stays in internal storage or the cloud, not on the card.

Frequently asked questions

What's the maximum microSD card size supported?

Current system firmware supports microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 2TB; very old firmware versions supported smaller maximums before a software update raised the limit.