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How to insert an SD card into a Nintendo Switch

In This Article

In This Article

Here is the easiest way to insert an SD card into a Nintendo Switch.

The Nintendo Switch is one of the best consoles on the market right now, coming in three variations and featuring a vast collection of Nintendo titles ranging from family fun games likeAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsto challenging titles likeMetroid Dread.

However, one of the downsides of the console is the limited amount of included storage. At only 32GB, you may find that after playing only a few games you have no more room left. This means that you either need to choose between deleting the data for any beloved games or expanding the storage.

Thankfully, setting up an SD card on the Switch is really simple and can be done in just a few steps. Read on to find out the easiest way to insert and set up your SD card on a Nintendo Switch.

What you’ll need:

The Short Version

Step1

Flip your Switch over

Flip your Switch over

To start this process, make sure your Switch is turned off and that all software is closed. Flip the Switch over so you are facing the back panel.

Step2

Carefully unclip the Switch stand

Unclip the Switch stand that is on the back of the Switch. It is a little fiddly so you will need to be careful.

Step3

Place your SD card into the port

Place the SD card into the port, with the coloured side facing outwards towards you.

Step4

Click it in

Push the SD card into the Switch until it is locked in place. You will hear a clicking noise when you do so.

Step5

Close the Switch stand

Once the SD card has been successfully inserted, close the Switch stand back to where it was originally.

Step6

Turn on your Switch

Turn on your Switch using the power button located on the top of the device.

Step7

Reset it

Once you turn on your device you should be prompted to reset it. Reset your device so the SD card can be registered.

Troubleshooting

No, you will need to buy an SD card that is specifically compatible with the Nintendo Switch. There are several options from third-party sellers that are associated with Nintendo.

You can buy SD cards for the Switch in a wide variety of storage options, from 64GB to 1TB.

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Gemma joined Trusted Reviews as a staff writer after graduating from Leeds Beckett University with a Journalism degree. She’s worked with national outlets, covering breaking news stories to reviews fo…

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Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.