The Nintendo Switch is a popular gaming console that has taken the gaming industry by storm. One of the most important components of the Switch is its internal memory. In this article, we will discuss everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch internal memory, including its storage capacity, how to manage it, and how to expand it.
Storage Capacity of the Nintendo Switch Internal Memory
The Nintendo Switch comes with 32GB of internal storage. However, it’s important to note that not all of this storage space is available for users to use. A portion of the internal storage is taken up by the console’s operating system and other system files.
After accounting for these system files, the amount of available storage space on a new Nintendo Switch is approximately 25.9GB. This may not sound like a lot of storage space, but it can be sufficient for users who primarily play physical game cartridges and don’t need to store a lot of digital content on their console.
Managing Nintendo Switch Internal Memory
Managing the internal memory of your Nintendo Switch is important in order to ensure that you have enough space to store your games and other content. There are several ways to manage your Switch’s internal memory, including:
- Delete Games and Save Data
One of the simplest ways to free up space on your Nintendo Switch is to delete games and save data that you are no longer using. To do this, navigate to the System Settings menu on your Switch and select Data Management. From there, you can select which games and save data you want to delete.
- Move Games to an SD Card
If you have an SD card inserted into your Nintendo Switch, you can move games and other content to the card in order to free up space on your console’s internal memory. To move a game to an SD card, navigate to the System Settings menu and select Data Management. From there, you can select the game you want to move and choose Move Data.
- Archive Games
Archiving a game on your Nintendo Switch will remove it from the console’s internal memory, but will allow you to re-download it at a later time without having to purchase it again. To archive a game, navigate to the System Settings menu and select Data Management. From there, you can select the game you want to archive and choose Archive Software.
Expanding Nintendo Switch Internal Memory
If you find that the internal memory of your Nintendo Switch is not sufficient for your needs, you may want to consider expanding it. There are two ways to expand the internal memory of your Switch: using an SD card or an external hard drive.
- SD Card
The Nintendo Switch supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards up to 2TB in size. To insert an SD card into your Switch, lift the kickstand on the back of the console and insert the card into the slot.
Once you have inserted an SD card, you can move games and other content to the card in order to free up space on your console’s internal memory. To move a game to an SD card, navigate to the System Settings menu and select Data Management. From there, you can select the game you want to move and choose Move Data.
- External Hard Drive
If you need even more storage space, you can connect an external hard drive to your Nintendo Switch using a USB cable. The Switch supports external hard drives with a USB 3.0 connection and a maximum capacity of 2TB.
To connect an external hard drive to your Nintendo Switch, plug the drive into the USB port on the console’s dock. Once the drive is connected, you can move games and other content to the drive in order to free up space on your console’s internal memory.
It’s important to note that if you want to use an external hard drive with your Nintendo Switch, the drive must be formatted to work with the console. To do this, connect the drive to your Switch and navigate to the System Settings menu. From there, select Formatting Options and choose Format External USB Drive.
Tips for Managing Nintendo Switch Internal Memory
In addition to the methods mentioned above for managing and expanding the internal memory of your Nintendo Switch, there are a few tips that can help you optimize your console’s storage space:
- Choose Physical Game Cartridges
If you primarily play physical game cartridges on your Nintendo Switch, you will save a lot of space on your console’s internal memory. While digital game downloads are convenient, they can take up a lot of storage space.
- Delete Unnecessary Save Data
In addition to deleting games that you are no longer playing, you can also delete save data for games that you have completed or are no longer interested in. This can free up a significant amount of space on your console’s internal memory.
- Archive Games You Plan to Revisit
If you plan on revisiting a game in the future but don’t need it to be immediately accessible, you can archive the game to free up space on your console’s internal memory. Archiving a game will remove it from the console but allow you to re-download it at a later time without having to purchase it again.
- Utilize Cloud Storage
If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, you can use cloud storage to back up your save data for supported games. This can help free up space on your console’s internal memory, as you can delete the game and save data and still be able to access it in the future.
- Consider Upgrading to a Larger SD Card
If you find that you are constantly running out of space on your Nintendo Switch’s internal memory, you may want to consider upgrading to a larger SD card. A higher-capacity card will allow you to store more games and other content without having to constantly manage your storage space.
Conclusion
The internal memory of the Nintendo Switch is an important component of the console, as it determines how much content you can store on the device. While the console’s internal memory is limited, there are several ways to manage and expand the storage space, including deleting games and save data, moving games to an SD card or external hard drive, archiving games, and upgrading to a larger SD card.
By taking advantage of these methods and tips, you can optimize your Nintendo Switch’s internal memory and ensure that you have enough space to store all of your favorite games and other content.