Nintendo Switch 2 Won’t Let You Load Saves from Previous Switch microSD Cards
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The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 will have new features like a screen with HDR and up to 120 frames-per-second, along with the ability to play in 4K with the dock. However, one change that might disappoint some users is that your current microSD card won’t work with the new console except to view video and pictures. Despite the Nintendo Switch 2 being able to read them, it will only accept Express models of these cards for gaming-related purposes.
Nintendo Switch 2 Won’t Support Your Current microSD
Currently, the original Nintendo Switch, version 1.1, Lite, and OLED models support microSD cards up to 2GB, microSDHC cards up to 32GB, and microSDXC cards up to 2TB. But with the Switch 2, it’s important to check that your memory card has the label microSD EX or microSD Express, as these will be the only compatible cards for the new console.
The thing is, it does appear that the Switch 2 can read SD cards formatted and used on the original Switch. Nintendo confirmed that if you insert a microSD from your current Switch into the new Switch 2, it will read it, but you won’t be able to play games, transfer them, or even transfer save data over to the Switch 2’s internal hard drive. You will only be able to view pictures and videos.
It does seem a bit odd. Understandable not to be able to run them, considering the improved specs of the supported SD cards for the Switch 2, but still, to not allow files to at least be transferrable? There is a workaround for this, as Nintendo did confirm that you can transfer data between the consoles via the transfer option, but you’ll need both pieces of hardware. This means that if you want to continue using the data you saved from your Switch, you must keep the console until you’ve made the move entirely. For those planning on trading in their Switch for a Switch 2, to try and get a little bit to put towards the new console but want to keep your existing saves, you really can’t unless you subscribe to Nintendo Switch Online in order to use cloud saving features. In a lot of ways, it’s similar to how Sony handles savedata on the PS5, where the only way to transfer PS5 savedata is if you subscribe to PS+ or do an entire system transfer, which is a bit of an inconvenience, given how long that takes.
In addition, these new cards are more expensive than the previous ones. Nintendo also confirmed that there will be licensed products from brands like Samsung. However, you will also be able to use cards from other brands, too.
In other news, Sony is conducting a market survey to gauge gamer interest in purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2. The survey asks about interest in the Switch 2, opinions following the Nintendo Direct announcements, and appealing aspects of the console.
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