Topic: Save Data questions

New Nintendo switch owner and I have heard save data is locked to the console and I have some questions as to what this means.

1. Are you able to move downloaded games and save data back and forth between the SD card and system memory?

2. Do cartridges default save data and game updates to system memory.

3. Is it like Wii U where it's possible to have save data and game updates be stored on either system memory or SD card when playing from cartridge? If so, does this also mean digital games need to have all data on either system memory or SD card and not a combo of both? (this caused me issues on Wii U when I tried to download a game I had preiviously played from disc)

4. Is the memory management basically the same as Wii U except we have cartridges and SD cards instead of Discs and USB storage? Wii U sometimes didn't have save data separate for each user, it could have common save data for all users as well.....is this still the case on Switch or is save data always seperated by user.

5. Why can't you pin protect data management or user profiles to protect save data from mischievous children like you could on Wii U. Is this something people are asking Nintendo for?

I have not put an SD card in my system yet or downloaded any digital games so I would like to know this stuff before I make purchasing decisions on memory and games digital vs. physical

Maybe no body is sure how the save data works......

I guess I am mostly worried that if I put a small SD card in I won't be able to transfer my saves to a bigger SD card....so should I wait till I need an SD card and buy the biggest I can afford or do I put whatever SD card I have in it for now and buy an SD later. Buying a huge SD card now is not an option as I just spent tons of cash on the system and games.

The only thing that can be transferred from SD card to internal memory is Screenshots or vice versa

If a SD cards is inserted, it becomes the default location for all digital purchases, Game downloads can't be moved back and fourth you have to archieve than redownload to a different SD Card, or remove the SD cards and download to the internal if you choose

All Save Data is on the internal HD and is not transferable (currently)

Actually, I'm pretty sure you could just copy-paste stuff between cards using a computer. Works with 3DS, at least (and is even officially recommended for transferring from old to New 3DS). I don't know why they don't let you move things to system memory though. And yeah, save data isn't going anywhere.

Thanks, this is very informative. Can you move things the other way? From internal memory to SD card? If I download a big game I may want to move it to SD at a later date. I guess since save data is on internal memory you just delete the game and re download with the SD card inserted.

I hope it works that way like 3DS too but am hoping to find some confirmation though.

@blaisedinsd no unfortunately you cant move digital game downloads from internal to SD either