What happens to my downloaded games if my Switch breaks?

Digital games are tied to your Nintendo account. Once you get a new Switch and log in you're able to redownload all those games and start playing them again.

What happens if your Switch breaks and you have digital games?

You can download the game itself again from the store but unless it will work enough to transfer save files you will lose all progress in most games. There are some games that have cloud backup with Nintendo Switch Online where you could still have some data saved. It is pretty simple to redownload the games again.

Can you transfer games from a broken Switch?

If you do not have access to the original console, you can still transfer your Nintendo Account and digital games to a different Nintendo Switch console and make that console your account's primary console.

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Games that have been archived (not deleted) will still have an icon on the HOME Menu, and can be redownloaded by anyone on the console.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.

Can you recover save data from a broken Switch?

An active Nintendo Switch Online membership is also required. In the event of loss or damage, contact Nintendo Consumer Support, and a representative can help you restore the island and user save data on your new or repaired Nintendo Switch system (standard charges apply for non-warranty repairs).

What To Do If Your Nintendo Switch Game Keeps Crashing

How can I recover data from a damaged device?

The most effective methods of transferring data from a broken phone include Cloud Backup, extracting files from an SD card, and using a Remote Control and Access app. Among these methods, remote control and access apps are the best.

Will I lose everything if I get a new SD card for my Switch?

Since the new card is empty, you naturally won't see any folders or files. Copy the “Nintendo” folder you saved to your desktop, transferring them over to the new microSD card as is (don't change any file names or folders).

How do I get my downloaded games back on my Switch?

To redownload the game, launch the Nintendo eShop using the Nintendo Account that originally purchased the game, select your user icon in the top-right corner to access the shop settings, and highlight Redownload. Select the game in the list of previously purchased titles, then select the orange icon to redownload.

How do I recover lost game data 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.

Are digital Switch games permanent?

All games you buy digitally are stored via your Nintendo Account ID, so you can just redownload them as many times as you want when you delete games to free up space, no problem. You can't lose a digital game since it's right there on your system.

Can I get my games back on a new Switch?

Go to the Nintendo eShop and tap on your icon in the upper-right corner. On the subsequent account page, tap Redownload to see a list of games you can download to the new Switch. If your cloud-saved data doesn't appear right away, put the new Switch to sleep. The cloud backup should sync shortly.

What happens when Switch is broken?

The switch acts as a connecting part of a circuit. When the switch is off, the circuit is incomplete as the connection is broken in the place of the switch. So, no current can pass through this broken circuit.

Are Switch games tied to your account?

Purchases on the Nintendo Switch eShop are tied to the Nintendo Account that made the purchase. You can register one primary console per Nintendo Account. Once you've registered a primary console, your digital purchases can be played by anyone that uses the primary console.

Can you lose digital games?

A digital-only game based on licensed content is doomed to die right from the outset. At some point, months or years from now, that licensing agreement will expire - at which point the publisher can no longer sell the game.

Will Nintendo refund a digital game?

We are unable to provide refunds or exchanges for mistaken purchases. Please be sure to read the game descriptions and check out the screen shots available through the Nintendo eShop before making purchases. We also encourage you to visit nintendo.com for information about the games available for our systems.

Is it better to buy physical games or digital?

Much of it comes down to personal preference. If you like having shelves lined with your games that you can browse and reminisce, you'll want to go for physical. If you prefer the convenience and speed offered through digital purchases, and don't want game boxes lying around, then you'll want to go digital.

Can you reinstall a game on Switch without losing data?

Luckily, the Switch allows you to delete and reinstall games you've purchased on your Nintendo account whenever you want, with no impact on the save data.

How do I transfer data from a broken Switch to a new Switch?

From the HOME Menu, select System Settings, then Data Management, and then Transfer Your Save Data. Select Send Save Data to Another Console, then select the user whose save data file you wish to transfer. Select the save data file for the software title you want to send to another system. Select Send Save Data.

Do downloaded Switch games stay 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.

How long do Switch SD cards last?

SD cards are designed for data storage and should last for 10 years or more.

Will I lose my save data if I put a microSD card in my Switch?

Save data. Save data (saved game progress and related achievements, etc.) is without exception stored in the system memory. It cannot be moved or saved onto a microSD card.

How can I recover data from a damaged SD card without software?

How can I recover data from a physically damaged SD card?

How do I extract data from my SD card?