How to Install an SD Card on the Nintendo Switch

This wikiHow teaches you how to install an SD card on Nintendo Switch. One of the biggest problems with the Nintendo Switch is it only has 32 gigabytes of internal storage space. This is not a lot of storage space, especially if you download a lot of games and downloadable content from the Nintendo eShop. You can expand the storage space on your Nintendo Switch by installing a micro SD card. You will need to format the SD card to be used exclusively with the Nintendo Switch.

Steps

  1. To power off the Nintendo Switch, press the power button on the top of the Nintendo Switch next to the "+" and "-" volume buttons. It has an icon with a circle and a line through it.
  2. If you haven't already done so, remove the Nintendo Switch from the dock and place it face down.
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  3. The kickstand is the small plastic strip on the back of the Nintendo Switch. It opens from the bottom of the Nintendo Switch. You may need to use your fingernail or something thin to open it. There is a micro SD slot under the kickstand.
  4. Place the micro SD card in the SD card slot with the label face up with the long edge to the left. The Nintendo Switch supports standard micro SD (up to 2 gigabytes), micro SDHC (2 - 32 gigabytes), and micro SDXC (64 gigabytes and above). [1]
    • For the best game play experience, purchase an SD card with UHS-1 (Ultra High Speed Phase 1) compatible SD card with transfer speeds of at least 60 megabytes per second or more.
  5. If you insert a blank SD card, the extra storage space will be available immediately. You can confirm this by selecting gear icon (System Settings), and then selecting Data Management . You will see the available micro SD card storage space displayed in the upper-right corner.
    • If you insert a micro SD card with data on it, you will be asked to format the micro SD. Select Format and follow the instructions to format the micro SD card. You will loose all data on the micro SD card, so be sure to backup anything you want to keep. [2]
    • If you install a micro SDXC card, you may be asked to update the system in order to use the microSD card. If you see this, tap System Update in the pop-up and follow the instructions to update the system.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    What if I insert a new Micro SD card with no data on it?
    Jesse
    Community Answer
    It will work and will not have any problems.
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  • Question
    MicroSDXC does not click into place when inserted?
    Elizabeth Burton
    Community Answer
    Don't panic! Try pushing the card in again but harder. You should hear a clicking noise of sorts when it is fully inserted.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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      References

      1. ↑ https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/22481/~/microsd-card-faq
      2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSM6j_0T8Js

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      1. Turn off the Nintendo Switch.
      2. Turn the Nintendo Switch over and open the kickstand.
      3. Insert a micro SD card in the slot under the kickstand.
      4. Turn on the Nintendo Switch and follow any on-screen instructions.

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