Topic: All save data gone, system transfer. HELP!

So, bought myself the new3DS and a 32gb micro SD card, ready to do the system Transfer. I thought it would save me some trouble to swap out the standard 4GB card with my new one, so I decided to copy my data from the old SD to the new micro Sd, and out that in the new system. Only, I forgot to put the SD card back in my old system. Did the transfer steps, and wiped the old system clean.

So, entirely my own fault, but now the new 3DS doesn't recognize any of my save files in the micro SD. I still have the data on the old SD and I've tried all I can think off. I re-downloaded one of my games from eShop, hoping that the system would miraculously pick up the save file on the microSD. No such luck.

Does anyone have a bright idea about how I can get my save data read by the new3DS?

Nope.....there's nothing you can do about it.

You should do it like how I did to play it safe. I transferred all my stuff using the 4 GB that I had in the new 3ds and when time came, I got a 32 GB SD card for the new 3ds and managed to have all the data while still storing more space.

I know its very valuable to have save data and I feel sorry for your loss of game saves. Hopefully, the NX will make it easier to backup saves.

Same thing happenend to me a few months back.

Did you format your new micro SD card before the system transfer?

My new 3ds xl wasnt recognizing any of my save data either and turns out the problem was i didnt format the new 32 gig micro sd card first.

There is a formatting tool on Nintendo's website that you have to use first on your micro sd card. I dont have that link on me but if you google 'nintendo micro sd card formatting tool" you should find it.

Hopefully you have a PC or laptop of some sort to use to do the formatting. Once u format, you just move/copy the contents from your old card to your new one.

I had a heck of a time with my wireless system transfer as i dont own a pc at home in order to format my new card.

Good luck and please let us know if you were successful!

I did the partial transfer and then redownloaded all my games. The save files were intact.

I'm not sure if there's anything you can do. If the system is not recognizing the files, it may think they're from a different system.

But you can try what Bezerker said, it may work.

Thanks for the tip, Bezerker, I'm going to give it a try!

It worked!!
Thank you so much Bezerker, that was excellent advice! I wonder why Nintendo didn't mention it when I called them last week, but anyway, you really made my day. I had some 20+ games on there, so you can get I'm happy 😊

@YvoCaro - Awesome! Glad that worked. Yeah, the New Nintendo 3DS XL instruction manual is really vague and not very detailed in explaining this all important step. (It took me a month before I figured out what I was doing wrong with my save data transfer). Happy Gaming~