Nintendo Switchplayers are often known for having multiple consoles. Players have their reasons, whether it is because they want differentAnimal Crossingislands or whether they have bought upgraded versions of the Nintendo Switch from the Lite to the regular and OLED versions. Whatever the reason,most players prefer to be able to access their games and save files across their different Nintendo Switch consoles.

Fortunately, Nintendo offers features that make accessing these games easy enough. Features like Nintendo Switch Online and cloud saves make it possible to sync save data and access purchased games across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles.

Nintendo Switch console in handheld mode.

How To Play Physical Games On Multiple Consoles

Play Physical Games Across Multiple Switch Consoles Easily

Playing physical games you’ve purchased across multiple Nintendo Switch consoles is easy enough. All you have to do isinsert the physical game cartridge into the Nintendo Switch of your choice– but what if you want to continue from your save file?

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If you want to continue playing a game on a different Nintendo Switch from where you originally started,you’ll need totransfer your save data for that specific game. Unless, of course, it’s an online game such asDisney Dreamlight ValleyorFortnite, which are linked to accounts from those specific games and automatically sync progress across devices.

Mario pondering with his hand on his chin, in front of a few Nintendo Switch consoles and the Nintendo Switch Online logo.

However, there are a few steps you’ll need to take to transfer data from other physical games. First,you’ll need to link your Nintendo Switch user profiles to the same Nintendo account.You’ll also need an internet connection to update your consoles to version 8.0.0 or higher. Finally, both consoles must be near one another for the data transfer to work.

Transferring saved data does not require a Nintendo online membership.

Once you’ve met the above criteria, you can begin transferring your saved data. Turn on the Nintendo Switch with your saved data and head into System Settings from the Home Menu. Click on Data Management, then Transfer Your Save Data. On the next screen,select Send Save Data to Another Console. Follow the same steps on your second Nintendo Switch, but select Receive Save Data instead.

After the saved data transfer is done, select OK to finalize the transfer. The data will be deleted from your first Switch and restored on your second Switch. You can now resume your game on your new or second Nintendo Switch console.

The original eShop menu of the Nintendo Switch .

How To Play Digital Games On Multiple Consoles

Digital games are purchased through the eShop or redeemed using download codes. They are stored directly on a Nintendo Switch system or amicroSD memory card. Some may think digital downloads are tied to just one device, but that’s untrue. Luckily,digital games can be accessed on any Nintendo Switch linked to the Nintendo accountfrom which they were purchased.

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All you need to do to redownload your digital games across multiple devices is tomake sure that a user on each device is linked to your Nintendo account. You can find your digital games by accessing your account information. To do that, select your profile’s icon in the top right corner and choose Redownload.A complete list of all your purchased digital content will appear.

Christmas Nintendo Switch Games collage with yeti from Song Of Nunu, Jingle from Animal Crossing, and characters from The Legend of Santa

You’ll need to set one Nintendo Switch console as your primary console. A primary console allows you to play digital games offline, whereas a secondary console requires an active internet connection to access digital games. you’re able to only have one primary Nintendo Switch account, but you can easily switch which Nintendo Switch is the primary console.

With these tools and features, managing your games and save data across multipleNintendo Switchconsoles is easier than ever. Whether you’re playing physical or digital games, taking a few minutes to set up your accounts and transfer your data will allow you to pick up right where you left off, no matter which console you’re using.

Nintendo Switch Poster

Nintendo Switch

The Nintendo Switch is the successor to 2012’s Wii U console. The Nintendo Switch allows gamers to easily switch between playing on a TV to a handheld console. The first model was released in 2017, followed by the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is strictly a handheld console. In October 2021, Nintendo released an upgraded Switch console with an OLED screen.