The Switch needs a microSD card, and almost any modern one will work

Your Nintendo Switch can store games on its built-in memory, but that space fills fast — a single large game takes 10 to 50 gigabytes. A microSD card is the only way to expand storage. The Switch accepts microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards up to 2 terabytes in size, though cards larger than 512 gigabytes are uncommon and expensive. Any card from a recognizable brand rated for at least Class 10 speed will work reliably.

You do not need to buy a card marketed specifically for the Switch. The Switch does not care about the brand name on the packaging — it cares about the card's actual speed and capacity. A SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, or Crucial card from any electronics retailer will perform identically to a card labeled "for Nintendo Switch" at a fraction of the price.

Key Takeaways

  • A microSDXC card of 256 gigabytes or 512 gigabytes is the practical choice for most players, since games range from 2 to 50 gigabytes each.
  • Speed class matters less than capacity — Class 10 or UHS-I cards are fast enough, and the Switch does not benefit from the fastest cards on the market.
  • The Switch reads microSD cards at roughly 90 megabytes per second, so a card rated for 170 megabytes per second will not load games faster than one rated for 100.
  • Buy from an electronics retailer or a major online marketplace where you can return a card if it fails, not from unknown sellers on third-party sites.
  • The card slot is on the bottom of the Switch behind the kickstand — insert the card with the label facing outward, and it will click into place.

How much storage you actually need

The Switch's internal storage is 32 gigabytes, but the operating system uses about 5 gigabytes of that, leaving roughly 27 gigabytes for games and saves. That space fills with two or three large games. A 256-gigabyte card holds roughly 200 to 250 games depending on their size, which is enough for most households. A 512-gigabyte card holds roughly 400 to 450 games and costs only slightly more.

If you play only a handful of games and delete old ones to make room, a 128-gigabyte card is sufficient. If you own a large library or play with multiple people on the same Switch, 256 gigabytes is the practical minimum. Cards larger than 512 gigabytes exist but cost significantly more and offer little real benefit — you will run out of time to play games before you run out of storage space.

Speed ratings and what they mean for the Switch

MicroSD cards carry speed ratings that describe how fast they read and write data. The Switch reads from a card at roughly 90 megabytes per second, which means a card rated for 100 megabytes per second is already faster than the Switch can use. Cards rated for 170 megabytes per second or higher will not load games any faster.

What matters is the Class rating — Class 10 means the card writes at least 10 megabytes per second, which is sufficient for the Switch. UHS-I cards (sometimes labeled U3 or V30) are faster still and cost about the same as Class 10 cards, so they are a reasonable choice if you find them at the same price. Do not pay extra for a card labeled "extreme" or "ultra" — the Switch will not use that extra speed.

Brand names and where to buy

SanDisk, Samsung, Kingston, Crucial, and PNY all manufacture reliable microSD cards. These brands are widely available at Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Amazon. Avoid cards from unknown sellers or third-party marketplaces where counterfeits are common — a fake card may appear to work at first but will fail or lose data within weeks.

Buy from a retailer where you can return the card if it fails. If you buy a 256-gigabyte SanDisk card from Best Buy and it stops working in six months, Best Buy will replace it. If you buy the same card from an unknown seller on a third-party site, you have no recourse. The price difference is usually only a few dollars, and the protection is worth it.

How to insert the card into your Switch

The microSD card slot is on the bottom of the Switch, behind the kickstand. Power off the Switch completely before inserting or removing a card. Locate the small rectangular slot on the bottom rear of the console, and gently push the card in with the label facing outward and the metal contacts facing into the Switch. The card will click once it is fully inserted.

To remove the card, power off the Switch, then gently push the card in slightly until it clicks and pops out. Do not pull the card out while the Switch is on or in sleep mode — this can corrupt the card or lose data. Once the card is inserted, the Switch will recognize it automatically and you can begin downloading games to it.

What to avoid when buying a card

Do not buy a card labeled "for action cameras" or "for drones" — these are optimized for continuous video recording, not random access, and perform poorly in the Switch. Do not buy a card from a seller with no reviews or a seller outside your country, since returns become complicated if the card fails. Do not assume a card is genuine based on the packaging alone — counterfeits are packaged convincingly.

Avoid microSD cards smaller than 64 gigabytes unless you plan to delete games frequently. The Switch's internal storage is already 32 gigabytes, so a 64-gigabyte card only doubles your space. A 128-gigabyte card costs only slightly more and is a better value. Cards larger than 2 terabytes do not exist yet, so any listing claiming to sell one is a scam.

How the Switch handles multiple cards

The Switch has one microSD card slot, so you can only use one card at a time. If you own multiple cards, you can swap them — power off the Switch, remove the old card, insert the new one, and power back on. The Switch will recognize the new card and show all games stored on it. You cannot combine two cards or use them simultaneously.

If you want to move games from one card to another, you can do so through the Switch's settings menu. Go to System Settings, then Data Management, then Manage Software, select a game, and choose Move to microSD Card or Move to Console Memory. The transfer takes a few minutes depending on the game's size.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a microSD card I already own work in the Switch?

If it is a microSD, microSDHC, or microSDXC card and it is not corrupted, yes. The Switch does not care about the brand or the original purpose of the card. If you have an old card from a phone or camera, insert it into the Switch and it will work when ready.

Do I need to format the card before using it?

No. The Switch will format the card automatically the first time you insert it. Formatting erases any data on the card, so if you have photos or files on it, copy them to a computer first. After that, the Switch handles all formatting on its own.

Can I use a full-size SD card in the Switch?

No. The Switch only accepts microSD cards, which are much smaller. A full-size SD card will not fit in the slot. If you own a full-size card, you would need a microSD card instead.

What happens if the microSD card fails?

Games stored on the card will become unplayable, but games stored on the Switch's internal memory will still work. You can purchase a new card, insert it, and re-read the games from your library — the Switch remembers which games you own even if they are not currently installed.

Is it safe to remove the card while the Switch is in sleep mode?

No. Always power off the Switch completely before removing the card. Removing it while the Switch is on or sleeping can corrupt the card or cause the Switch to lose track of games stored on it. Power off, wait a few seconds, then remove the card.