Nintendo Support

How to Download Save Data Cloud Backups on Nintendo Switch 2

Follow these steps to download backed up save data to a Nintendo Switch 2 console.

Important

  • A Nintendo Switch Online membership is required to use this feature.

    • If your membership expires, you can begin a new membership within 180 days to regain access to your save data cloud backups.

  • Save data downloaded from the backup will replace the existing save data on the console for that game. The overwritten data cannot be recovered.

  • Save data backups for Nintendo Switch software can be shared between Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch consoles using the same Nintendo Account. If you own the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition of a Nintendo Switch game, any Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive features or content would not be made accessible on Nintendo Switch.

Complete these steps

Save data backups can be downloaded any of the following ways:

  • From the software menu

    1. Highlight the icon for the game or application from the HOME Menu.

    2. Press the + Button or – Button to open the software menu.

    3. Select Save Data Cloud, then select your user.

    4. Select Download Save Data.

  • From System Settings

    1. From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.

    2. Select Data Management, then select Save Data Cloud.

    3. Select your user, then choose the game you wish to download your save data for.

    4. Select Download Save Data.

  • Using the Automatic Save-Data Download feature

    Automatic Save-Data Download must be enabled to download a backup this way.

    • How to enable Automatic Save-Data Download

      1. From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.

      2. Select Data Management, then select Save Data Cloud.

      3. Choose your user, then select Settings.

      4. Select Automatic Save-Data Download to turn it On.

        • If you want to enable this feature for specific software only, select Advanced Save-Data Settings and toggle it on or off for each software title.

      For more information, see How to Enable/Disable Automatic Save-Data Backups and Downloads.

    1. Press and release the POWER Button once to put the console into Sleep Mode.

    2. If the save data stored via the Save Data Cloud service is newer than the save data on the console, the newer data will automatically download while your console is in Sleep Mode.

      • Keep your console in Sleep Mode until the download is complete.