How to transfer your Nintendo Switch data to the new OLED model

The launch of Nintendo OLED means a whole bunch of current Nintendo Switch owners are going to be upgrading to the newer version of the console. But to keep everything from your old system to the new one, you need to know how to transfer data – and not everything is an automatic process.

How to transfer Nintendo Switch data to a new console

First, despite the cloud save backup offered by the Nintendo Switch Online service, it is not the same as having your entire profile and user data stored in the cloud, and quite a few of games are not compatible with cloud saves. The most foolproof way to move all of your data to a new switch is to use the recommended transfer system, which requires having both consoles along with a number of other tools.

As detailed on Nintendo’s help site, both consoles will need to be updated to system 4.0.0 or higher, and they both need to be connected to the internet. You will need to use the data management option in the system settings and select Transfer your backup data and choose to send it on one console and receive it on the other.

If you plan to use the OLED Switch exclusively from now on, you’ll want to transfer your user data as well. To do this, go to the original system, select Users in the settings, then Transfer your user data.

Click until you can select “Source Console”, then follow the exact same steps on the OLED switch, selecting only “Target Console” instead. Log in with your Nintendo Account and the transfer process should begin.

If you plan to use your old Switch, perhaps in another room or as a handheld exclusive system, do not transfer your user data. Instead, deregister your current console as the primary system on your account and make the OLED Switch your primary console. This will allow you to continue playing digital games on both systems, as long as you are logged in if using the old model.