Introduction
Setting up a brand-new Nintendo Switch 2 is exciting, but there’s one critical mistake many people make right out of the box. If you're not careful, you might miss the chance to transfer all your old data—user profiles, game saves, digital purchases, settings, and more—from your original Nintendo Switch. The setup process only gives you one chance to do a full system transfer, and if you skip it, fixing it means a factory reset.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to set up your Nintendo Switch 2 the right way. You’ll learn when and how to transfer your data, what gets carried over, and how to recover if you already missed the opportunity. Let’s keep this easy and stress-free.
What Happens During the Initial Nintendo Switch 2 Setup
When you turn on your Nintendo Switch 2 for the first time, you’ll go through the initial setup process. At one specific step, you'll be asked if you want to transfer data from another console. This is the moment to stop and grab your original Switch. You only get this one chance to perform a full system transfer through the setup menu. If you skip it, there’s no built-in way to go back later through normal settings.
What does this mean? If you think you can finish setting up the system first and then move your old data later, that won't work. A full system transfer requires both consoles to be active and online at the same time. Without doing this at setup, your only solution is to reset the Switch 2 and start over. Avoid that frustration by preparing your old console before you even power on the new one.
How to Prepare Your Old Switch for the Transfer
Before starting the transfer, ensure your original Nintendo Switch is updated to the latest software. Connect it to Wi-Fi and navigate to Settings > System, then scroll down and apply any updates if needed. Once the update is complete, go back to Settings, scroll to the bottom, and select Transfer Your User and Save Data.
This feature lets the old console send your profiles, game saves, and settings directly to the new Switch 2. Both devices will need to be on the same Wi-Fi network. Once ready, follow the prompts on both consoles: choose Send on the old Switch and Receive on the new one. The process is quick—usually around 5 minutes—and it ensures everything gets carried over smoothly.
What Gets Transferred to Your Nintendo Switch 2
When you complete the system transfer correctly, most of your important data moves over. This includes all linked Nintendo accounts, your digital game purchases, game save data, screenshots and video clips, as well as system settings and parental controls. Once the transfer is done, your purchased games will start downloading automatically on the Switch 2—as long as you’re connected to the internet.
It’s worth noting that the transfer also deactivates the old system as the primary console. This means the new Switch 2 becomes your main system for downloads and game licenses. You don’t need to redownload everything right away, but all your digital purchases will be available in your account’s eShop library.
Missed the Transfer? Here’s the Fix
If you already set up your Nintendo Switch 2 without doing the full system transfer, don’t panic. There is a way to fix it, but it requires a bit of backtracking. You’ll need to perform a factory reset on the new console to return it to its initial state. From there, you can start the setup process again and choose the correct transfer option.
To do this, open Settings > System, scroll to the bottom and select Formatting Options. Choose Restore Factory Settings. After the console resets, power it back on, and this time follow the setup instructions until you see the prompt for transferring data from another console. This is currently the only official method for a complete system migration, including all profiles, data, and purchases.
Using Cloud Saves for Selective Data Transfers
If you're only interested in moving save data for specific games, and you’ve been using Nintendo Switch Online, you can skip the full system transfer and just use cloud saves. On the new Switch 2, go to Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud. From there, select your user profile and look through your available game backups.
Once you find the game you want, choose Download Save Data to pull it from the cloud onto your new system. This method works best for individual game saves but won’t transfer user accounts, screenshots, or system settings. Also, some games may not support cloud saves, so check the list before relying solely on this option.
Transferring Save Data Directly Without Full Migration
Another option is using the Save Data Transfer feature for moving saves from one console to another without the cloud. On your old Switch, go to Settings > Data Management > Transfer Your Save Data, then select Send Save Data to Another Console. On the Switch 2, go to the same menu and select Receive Save Data.
This method transfers one game's save file at a time between two local consoles. It's ideal for users who skipped the full transfer but don’t want to reset the entire system. However, like cloud saves, this won't bring over accounts, system settings, or digital purchases—just the game data you manually select.
Conclusion: Set Up Your Nintendo Switch 2 the Right Way
Setting up your Nintendo Switch 2 correctly from the start can save you a lot of frustration later. The full system transfer option during initial setup is your one chance to move everything—profiles, game saves, settings, and more—from your old console. If you skip it, the only recovery method is a factory reset. For those who just need specific save data, options like cloud saves or manual save transfers are available.
Always update your old Switch, connect both devices to Wi-Fi, and follow the on-screen prompts carefully. With the right prep, the entire process takes only a few minutes and ensures that nothing important is left behind.
FAQs: Nintendo Switch 2 System Transfer
Q: Can I transfer data after setting up my Nintendo Switch 2?
A: Only through a factory reset. The full system transfer option is only available during the initial setup process.
Q: What if I only want to move save data from one game?
A: You can use cloud saves via Nintendo Switch Online or the Save Data Transfer feature in settings to move individual game saves.
Q: Will my digital games move to the Switch 2 automatically?
A: Yes, once the system transfer is complete, your eShop games will start downloading to the new console.
Q: What gets moved during a full system transfer?
A: Linked Nintendo accounts, game save data, digital purchases, system settings, screenshots, videos, and parental controls.
Q: Do I need an internet connection to do the transfer?
A: Yes. Both consoles must be connected to Wi-Fi to complete the transfer.
Q: Can I transfer data from a Switch Lite or Switch OLED to the Switch 2?
A: Yes, as long as the original system is updated and functioning, the same process applies regardless of the model.
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