What happens to downloaded games on Switch?

The downloaded game will be saved to your Nintendo Switch system's internal memory or microSD card (sold separately) so if you download multiple games, you can play them at any time without needing to change Nintendo Switch Game Cards. There is also a massive library of games you can't find in a retail store.

Can you lose downloaded Switch games?

Games that have been archived (not deleted) will still have an icon on the HOME Menu, and can be redownloaded by anyone on the console. Games that have been deleted will not have an icon on the HOME Menu, and can only be redownloaded with the Nintendo Account that was originally used to purchase them.

Are Switch digital games tied to your account?

Digital games are tied to the Nintendo Account that was used to purchase them. All users on a console will be able to play games purchased by any Nintendo Account that has registered the console as their primary console.

Will I lose my game progress if I get a new Switch?

Your save data will be deleted on the source console. *Save data is stored on the console you're currently using. In order to play games with your latest save data on multiple systems, you'll need to transfer the save data each time you use a different console.

Can I play my downloaded games on another Switch?

You can play digital games that you've purchased with your Nintendo Account on any Nintendo Switch console. Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can also be played by anyone that uses the primary console. Other players will not be able to access your digital games on a non-primary console.

Nintendo Switch How To Download Purchased Games - How To Redownload Games and Deleted Software

Can I share games if I have 2 Nintendo switches?

You can link your Nintendo Account to multiple Nintendo Switch consoles and play your games on any of them using your Nintendo Account. Only one of the consoles can act as the primary console. On the primary console, any other users can play the games you downloaded with your Nintendo Account.

Why can't I play a downloaded game on my Switch?

Possible Solutions:

Perform a system update. Check for any software updates for the problematic game. Check for corrupt data. Delete the problematic software and then redownload it.

Do Switch games save on card or system?

On Nintendo Switch, game save data is stored on the console's System Memory. This will not change whether downloadable software or software from a game card is being played. Game save data cannot be saved or copied to a microSD card.

How do I get my game progress back on a Switch?

Previously backed up save data is automatically restored when re-downloading software from the Nintendo eShop. You can also restore save data using the Save-Data Backup option within Data Management.

How do I recover my Nintendo Switch games?

Is it better to buy physical games or digital?

They both have advantages and disadvantages. You won't lose digital games like you could cartridges, but physical games tend to get better deals and can be shared with friends and family or sold for other games when you're done with them.

Will I lose my games if I delete a user on Switch?

Deleting a user account from a Nintendo Switch console will also delete any save data that is associated with that account and saved to the console. Data deleted from a console cannot be restored unless it is first backed up using the Save Data Cloud backup feature.

What happens when you buy a digital game from Nintendo?

Once you've completed your purchase, your game will automatically download to the system associated with your Nintendo Account. To download the game, your Nintendo Switch console must have enough memory space available and it must be turned on or in sleep mode (with an active Internet connection).

Can you keep digital games forever?

Don't want to pack hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of games in your checked bags? With a library of games stored on your hard drive, you'll never face that dilemma. In the same way, digital games can never be lost by accident; they remain on a player's account, essentially permanently.

Do digital Switch games expire?

Download codes purchased from retailers or bundled with Nintendo products do not expire. However, download codes given out for a specific promotion (Hyrule Warriors DLC pack, Pokémon distributions, etc.)

Do Switch games last forever?

Matter of fact Switch cartridges might have more longevity considering games are saved to the Switch's on-board system memory rather than on a battery within the cartridge. Just keep the games in a dry place and they should be good for your entire life.

Does Redownloading Switch game delete data?

Deleting software data will not impact your save data. Once deleted, software can be redownloaded using the same Nintendo Account with which it was purchased. If a microSD card is inserted, the save location will default to the microSD card when downloading or redownloading software.

Do Switch games save to your account?

Save data is stored in the system memory, and for the most part it is associated with the individual user. So long as the same user is selected on the console, the save data will not be impacted whether the software is played from a game card or downloaded from Nintendo eShop.

Can you transfer Switch games from cartridge to SD card?

Transferring game data

On the HOME Menu, select "System Settings" → "Data Management" → "Move Data Between System/microSD Card". *If no microSD card is inserted, this option won't be selectable. To transfer data from the system memory to the microSD card, select "Move to microSD Card".

Where do Switch games go?

Open the game card slot cover located on the top-right side of the Nintendo Switch console. Hold the game card so that the label of the game card faces in the same direction as the Nintendo Switch screen. Slide the game card into the game card slot until it clicks into place.

Can you transfer downloaded Switch games to SD card?

How to move software between your Switch and SD card. Scroll down this menu until you get to Data Management, and enter that sub-menu. Select Move Data Between System / microSD Card. Choose which games and apps you want to move across, and then select OK to commence the transfer.

Why can't you play downloaded Switch games offline?

If the software does not require an internet connection, you are most likely not using the primary console for the Nintendo Account that purchased the software. You can play without an internet connection by using the primary console instead or by making the system you are using the new primary console.

Can you play downloaded Switch games offline?

Question: Can you play downloaded games offline on a Nintendo Switch? The simple answer is yes, as all of the data the switch needs is right there on the switch, however due to it being offline any kind of online mode, such as online smash in smash bros will be unavailable.

Can you play Switch digital games offline?

yes you absolutely can play without nintendo online and still have lots of fun. However, you will need an internet connection to get the updates for the game.

Can you play Mario Kart on two switches with one game?

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe supports wireless play, allowing up to 8 players to connect multiple Nintendo Switch consoles together via a local wireless connection.