Can You Implement Cross Saves Between 2 Nintendo Switch Consoles? A Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered if you can potentially use cross saves for your games across different Nintendo Switch Consoles? The short answer is no- the longer answer is also no, but more so it’s not in the way most people would expect. While Nintendo doesn't offer true automatic cross save features like you can see on other platforms, there definitely are a few official workarounds that can get you pretty close to what you’re looking for depending on the game and your setup.

 

Option 1- Cloud Saves

The closest thing that comes to cross-saves is using cloud based saves, but this only works if you have an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription, and also if the game supports the feature too. To upload your save data, go to System Settings, Data Management, then Save Data Cloud. Select the user, choose the game, and select the Back up Save Data option. On your Second Switch device, you need to log into the same account and navigate to the same menu and select the option to Download Save Data. The process is pretty straightforward despite not feeling instant nor automatic. 

It is however worth noting that some major titles do not support cloud saves at all, making this impossible to perform. For example, games like Pokemon Sword, Pokemon Shield and other main series Pokemon games are excluded.

 

Option 2- Manual Save Data Transfer

Another option that exists is the ability to manually transfer save data. This method lets you move save data directly from one console to another, but there is a catch- the save file is deleted from the original console once you transfer it over, so technically it’s not a copy but a direct transfer. 

To perform this task, go to System Settings, Data Management, Transfer Your Save Data. Choose Send Save Data to Another Console on the source Switch, and Receive Save Data on the target Switch. Follow the on screen instructions for both devices. Again, this is less of a data sync and more of a data relocation so bear that in mind.

 

Option 3- Full System Transfer

Yet another option that exists is the full system transfer- it’s not necessarily a cross save feature, but more of a complete migration. This is useful if you’re planning to permanently switch to a new console. On the original Switch, go to System Settings, Users, then Transfer Your Data. Select the source console and follow the instructions on screen. On the target Switch, choose the option Target Console and sign in with the same account. This process will transfer your user profiles, save data and purchase data, but we’d like to re-iterate that this isn't a cross save feature but a data migration- the data is removed from the original console in the process. 

 

Comparison of Save Methods

Here’s a quick table to summarize all that information that we just dropped on your head in a neat little package: 

 

So yeah, while you can't truly implement cross saves between two Switch Consoles in a continuous automatic sense, Nintendo does provide some tools to move your data around. Each method has its own pros and cons, whether if the game is compatible with the service, the need for a subscription or the fact that data gets deleted from the original device. It’s not perfect and quite honestly, it can feel pretty clunky compared to other platforms. But once you get used to the steps, it does the job well enough for most situations. 

While you can’t fully cross-save between two Switch consoles, you can still enjoy your games to the fullest. For the best experience, check out our Switch 2 Accessories with grips, cases, and more.