How to Download and Play Switch Games from a microSD Card
How to Download Switch Games to SD Card
If you own a Nintendo Switch, you probably know how amazing it is to play your favorite games on the go. But you also know how frustrating it is to run out of storage space for your games. That's why you need an SD card for your Switch.
An SD card can expand your Switch's storage capacity, improve your game loading times, and make it easier to transfer your data. But how do you download Switch games to SD card? And what kind of SD card should you get?
how to download switch games to sd card
In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will show you how to choose an SD card for your Switch, how to insert it into your console, how to download games to it, and how to manage your games on it. By the end of this article, you will be able to enjoy your Switch games without worrying about running out of space.
Why You Need an SD Card for Your Switch
Before we get into the details of how to download Switch games to SD card, let's talk about why you need an SD card for your Switch in the first place. Here are some of the benefits of using an SD card for your Switch:
Limited Internal Storage
The Nintendo Switch comes with only 32 GB of internal storage, which is not enough for many games. Some games can take up more than 10 GB of space, which means you can only fit a few games on your system memory. If you want to play more games, you will need an SD card to store them.
Faster Loading Times
Another advantage of using an SD card for your Switch is that it can improve your game loading times. Some games can load faster from an SD card than from the system memory, especially if you use a high-speed SD card. This can make your gaming experience smoother and more enjoyable.
Easy Data Transfer
Finally, using an SD card for your Switch can make it easier to transfer your data. If you want to upgrade your Switch console or switch to a different SD card, you can simply move your SD card and keep all your games and save data. You don't have to redownload everything or use cloud backup.
How to Choose an SD Card for Your Switch
Now that you know why you need an SD card for your Switch, let's talk about how to choose one. There are many types and brands of SD cards on the market, but not all of them are compatible or suitable for your Switch. Here are some factors to consider when choosing an SD card for your Switch:
Compatible Formats and Sizes
The Nintendo Switch supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards. These are different formats of SD cards that vary in size and capacity. The microSD cards have a maximum capacity of 2 GB, the microSDHC cards have a maximum capacity of 32 GB, and the microSDXC cards have a maximum capacity of 2 TB.
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The size of the SD card you need depends on how many games you want to store on it. If you only play a few games or mostly use physical cartridges, you might be fine with a smaller SD card. But if you download a lot of games or want to have more options, you might want to get a larger SD card. The Nintendo Switch can support up to 2 TB of SD card storage, but the largest SD card available as of now is 1 TB. You can check the list of officially licensed SD cards for the Nintendo Switch here.
Speed and Performance
Another factor to consider when choosing an SD card for your Switch is the speed and performance of the card. The speed of an SD card refers to how fast it can read and write data, which affects how quickly your games load and save. The performance of an SD card refers to how reliable and durable it is, which affects how long it lasts and how well it protects your data.
The speed of an SD card is measured by its class or rating. The higher the class or rating, the faster the SD card. The Nintendo Switch requires a minimum speed of Class 10 or UHS-I (Ultra High Speed) for SD cards. However, you can also use faster SD cards, such as UHS-II or UHS-III, which can improve your game loading times even more. You can check the speed class or rating of an SD card by looking at the symbols on the card or the packaging.
The performance of an SD card is measured by its quality and warranty. The higher the quality and warranty, the better the SD card. The quality of an SD card depends on the materials and technology used to make it, which affects how resistant it is to physical damage, extreme temperatures, water, and magnets. The warranty of an SD card depends on the manufacturer and seller, which affects how long they will replace or repair a defective or damaged card.
You can check the quality and warranty of an SD card by looking at the reviews and ratings from other users, as well as the product description and specifications. You can also look for reputable and trusted brands, such as SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar, which are known for making high-quality SD cards.
Price and Brand
The last factor to consider when choosing an SD card for your Switch is the price and brand of the card. The price of an SD card depends on its format, size, speed, performance, and brand. The larger, faster, and better the SD card, the more expensive it is. However, you don't have to spend a fortune to get a good SD card for your Switch. You can find affordable and reliable SD cards that meet your needs and budget.
The brand of an SD card depends on its manufacturer and seller. The more reputable and trusted the brand, the more reliable and durable the SD card is. However, you don't have to stick to one brand to get a good SD card for your Switch. You can compare different brands and models that offer similar features and benefits.
To help you choose an SD card for your Switch, here is a table that compares some of the best-selling and highest-rated SD cards on Amazon as of June 2021:
Brand
Model
Format
Size
Speed
Price
SanDisk
Ultra microSDXC UHS-I Card with Adapter
microSDXC
400 GB
Class 10 / UHS-I / A1 / V10 / U1
$49.99
Samsung
EVO Select microSDXC UHS-I U3 Card with Adapter
microSDXC
256 GB
Class 10 / UHS-I / U3 / A1 / V30 / U1
$29.99
Lexar
Professional 1000x microSDXC UHS-II Card with Adapter
microSDXC
128 GB
Class 10 / UHS-II / V60 / U3 / A2
$24.99
As you can see, there are many options to choose from when it comes to SD cards for your Switch. You can decide which one suits you best based on your preferences and needs. However, we recommend that you get an SD card that has at least 128 GB of storage space, a speed class of 10 or higher, and a good quality and warranty.
How to Insert an SD Card into Your Switch
Once you have chosen an SD card for your Switch, the next step is to insert it into your console. This is a simple and easy process that only takes a few minutes. Here is how to do it:
Locate the SD Card Slot
The SD card slot is located on the back of your Switch console, behind the kickstand. To access it, you need to turn off your Switch and detach the Joy-Con controllers