Switch save data does not sync by itself: game save data is stored in system memory and cannot be copied to a microSD card, and the only cloud copy is Nintendo Switch Online's Save Data Cloud backup, which needs a membership. Back up from a game's software menu (press minus or plus on the game and choose Save Data Cloud, Back Up Save Data) or from System Settings, Data Management, Save Data Cloud. Most Switch titles support it, but a message that a software does not support Save Data Cloud backup means you cannot back that game up.
Differential
Likely causes of “Nintendo Switch saved games will not sync”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No Nintendo Switch Online membership
What separates it Save Data Cloud is not offered for backup because there is no Nintendo Switch Online membership
How to confirm Save Data Cloud Backup needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership; without one there is no cloud copy
- 2
A game that does not support Save Data Cloud
What separates it You see the message that this software doesn't support Save Data Cloud backup
How to confirm Check the game's eShop page for online features; only compatible software can be backed up
- 3
The save is on a different user profile or console
What separates it The game starts fresh on a new console or profile
How to confirm Back up on the old console, then sign in with the same Nintendo Account on the new one and download the save
- 4
A save that was never backed up
What separates it The console was reset or lost and no backup exists
How to confirm There is no other copy; game save data lives in system memory only
- 5
Software missing from the console rather than the save
What separates it The game icon is gone but the save exists
How to confirm Redownload the software with the account that bought it; the save is kept in system memory if the console was not reset
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The game and the user profile the save belongs to
- Whether a Nintendo Switch Online membership is active
- Whether the game supports Save Data Cloud, from its eShop page
- The date of the last backup, if any
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCheck your membership
ReversibleSave Data Cloud Backup needs a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Check it is active before you rely on it.
Back up from the software menu
ReversibleOn the HOME Menu highlight the game, press the minus or plus button for the software menu, choose Save Data Cloud, select the user and choose Back Up Save Data.
Back up from System Settings
ReversibleOpen System Settings, scroll to Data Management, choose Save Data Cloud, select the user, tap the game and choose Back Up Save Data.
Check compatibility
ReversibleNintendo says the vast majority of Switch titles support Save Data Cloud backup, and that online features are shown on the eShop page. A software that does not support it shows a message when you try.
Confirm the backup before any reset
ReversibleDo not initialize or delete a user until you see the backup succeeded. The without deleting save data initialization keeps save data, screenshots and user information.
Redownload missing software
ReversibleIf a game icon is missing, connect to the internet, open the eShop and use the Virtual Game Cards button on the game's page to redownload a purchase at no cost.
Restore on a new console
ReversibleSign in with the same Nintendo Account and download the backup for each game. A save that was never backed up cannot be recovered from the cloud.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- System memory versus microSD
- The OLED Model has 64GB of system memory and the launch and revised models have 32GB. Game save data lives in that system memory and cannot be moved to a microSD card.
- Initialize options
- Initialize Console Without Deleting Save Data keeps save data, screenshots and user information; software on a microSD card becomes unusable until redownloaded.
- Tools and supplies
- A Nintendo Switch Online membership, an internet connection and your Nintendo Account details.
- What to tell Nintendo
- The game name, whether a backup was made and the console serial number; not a part number.
- On a Switch Lite
- Save Data Cloud backups work the same on a Switch Lite with a Nintendo Switch Online membership; games that exclude cloud saves do not back up. To move saves to a new Lite, use System Settings, Data Management, Transfer Your Save Data.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Nintendo Switch original model, Nintendo Switch revised model.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a save is missing and there is no backup, contact Nintendo before doing anything else to the console
- !If Save Data Cloud shows an error, note the message and contact Nintendo
- !If you must initialize the console, back up first
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. The Switch 2 differs in how it transfers data and is on its own page.
Backing up from the software menu and System Settings.
Save Data Cloud compatibility.
Redownloading purchased content.
Exact questions
Common questions
Does the Switch back up saves automatically?+
Not to the cloud without a membership. Nintendo says Save Data Cloud Backup requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
Can I save game data on a microSD card?+
No. Nintendo says game save data is stored in system memory and cannot be copied or saved to a microSD card.
How do I back up a save?+
Highlight the game, press minus or plus, choose Save Data Cloud, select the user and choose Back Up Save Data. Or use System Settings, Data Management, Save Data Cloud.
What if a game does not support cloud backup?+
Nintendo says a message shows that this software doesn't support Save Data Cloud backup. You cannot back that game up to the cloud.
Does initializing the console keep my saves?+
The without deleting save data option does. A full initialization deletes save data and user information.
How do I redownload a game I deleted?+
Use the Virtual Game Cards button on the game's eShop page; Nintendo says a purchased game can be redownloaded at no cost.
Do the Switch and Switch 2 share saves?+
Save Data Cloud works on both, so a backup can be downloaded on either when signed in with the same account, subject to each game's compatibility.
Is this different on the OLED Model?+
No. Save data works the same on the launch, revised and OLED consoles.