Starting from the launch of Nintendo Switch 2, a system transfer feature will allow you to transfer your data from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2.

Let’s take a look at how the system transfer works and what kind of data is transferred.

Things you need to do before transferring

Before starting the system transfer, you will need the source system (the Nintendo Switch system you are transferring from) and target system (Nintendo Switch 2 system you are transferring to). Both systems must be physically close to each other.

The system transfer can be accessed via the Settings menu on Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. During the setup process of Nintendo Switch 2, you may be asked whether you want to perform the transfer.

Both systems must be connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.

You will be asked to login to your Nintendo Account on both systems, so ensure you have your login details (username and password) ready.

It is highly recommended to keep both systems connected to a power supply during the system transfer. Also, take note that both systems may restart during the transfer process, which is normal.

Based on the system transfer process between two Nintendo Switch systems, we estimate the process will take 5 to 60 minutes depending on the amount of data you have.

What data is transferred?

According to the official Nintendo website, the following data will be transferred to Nintendo Switch 2:

1. User linked to Nintendo Account
2. Digital titles downloaded on the Nintendo eShop*
3. Save data
4. Screenshots and videos
5. System settings
6. Parental Controls settings

• During the system transfer, only software licenses are transferred to the target system. After the transfer is complete, the target system will automatically redownload software from the Nintendo eShop.

Notes on save data

Generally speaking, the original save data will not be deleted from the source system, so you can still access it on both the source and target systems as long as your Nintendo Account is present on both.

However, this does not apply to save data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Once save data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons is transferred from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2, it will not be possible to transfer it back, so please keep this in mind.