#transfer of sd cards

17 messages · Page 1 of 1 (latest)

agile niche
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Having trouble transferring data from switch sd card (switch discord no help) to a bigger one. Copied the sd card data and put it on the newer bigger sd card. Gives me a error every time. Tried 3 times. Don’t have access to windows right now

young badge
agile niche
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Meant Mac discord sorry. Was in a rush typing it. I do have access to a computer and all files were copied onto my Mac (~40gb) tried copying to the sd card (128gb) without formatting it. Copied over fine but didn’t work in the switch. Tried formatting it in the switch same result.

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I have no trouble copying and pasting just won’t work in the switch

young badge
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First, you need to read the tag below to understand where your data is located

alpine nestBOT
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data

SWITCH'S DATA ALLOCATION

･ All data, including games' install data (the game + DLC + Update), screenshots, gameplay capture videos, users' settings and save data are initially stored on the Switch's internal memory.

･ From the moment a microSD card is put into the Switch, all future games' install data, screenshots, gameplay capture videos will be stored into that microSD card. This will be applied to any other subsequent microSD card put into the Switch.

･ Past games' install data, screenshots, gameplay capture videos will not be automatically moved over to the newly inserted microSD card and will stay in the Switch's internal memory or previous microSD card. You can manually move them in System Settings ⚙️ > Data Management.

※ Important: Users' settings and Save Data will always remain on the Switch's internal memory and cannot be moved over to the microSD card.

･ In order to move data from one microSD card to another, type !tag sdt for a guide.

Requested by BladeSpringSun#4133
young badge
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It's almost impossible to transfer games' install data from one microSD card to another. I believe this is a type of copyright protection from Nintendo. I said almost because I have heard some people said they can do it, but I don't have enough conclusive info.

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The known way to do this transfer correctly is below.

alpine nestBOT
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sdt

TRANSFER DATA BETWEEN MICROSD CARD

§ If you want to transfer data between a microSD card, previously used on your Switch, to different microSD card, you will have two options:

● Option 1: You can transfer the game's install data from the old microSD card into the Switch's internal memory then transfer it back to the new microSD card. Doing so by going into System Setting ⚙️ > Data Management > Move Data Between System/ microSD Card. For screenshot/videos, use Manage Screenshots and Videos.

● Option 2: You can use a computer (PC/Mac) or Android smartphone capable with reading and formatting microSD. Additional microSD card reader or software may be required. Nintendo recommend to copy and paste, but it doesn't work most of the time. Please follow the steps below instead:

1. Using a PC/Mac/Android Smartphone to determine the File System of the old microSD card.
2. Format the new microSD card to the same File System.
3. Use the Switch to format the new microSD card one more time.
4. Copy and paste the files from the old microSD card over to the new one. Following the correct folder's locations.

※ Untested MacOS method.

Requested by BladeSpringSun#4133
young badge
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The problem is this method is known to work perfectly for screenshot/video capture, but not reliable for games' install data, reason mentioned previously.

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I also suggest you to do this formatting step on your computer for the new microSD card.

alpine nestBOT
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sdf

MICROSD CARD FORMAT AND TEST

§ To fix Error Code: 2016-0641, data corruption issue. For fixing microSD card not recognized, broken microSD card reader please use tag sdr

※ Note: microSD card only stores screenshots/video capture and games' install data. Save data is stored on the internal memory of the Switch.

■ How to properly format a microSD card to use on Switch console:
￮ You will need a PC computer and a microSD card reader.
1. Use this software, SD Association's SD Memory Card Formatter, and format the microSD card using Overwrite option.
2. Format your microSD card again using your computer's formatting feature. exFAT and FAT32 filesystem is preferred.
3. Put the microSD card into your Switch console and use the built-in function to format the card one more time.

￮ Source: Nintendo Official Recommendation

■ If you suspect your microSD card is broken or fake/counterfeit, you can test using these software:
･ Windows: H2Test (Read/Write speed test)
･ Mac: Black Magic Disk Speed Test or F3XSwift

Requested by BladeSpringSun#4133
young badge
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It's a way to prevent data corruption issue in the future.

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But if you want, you can skip that.

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Now if you have read everything till this point, and if you decided to only transfer the screenshot/video then follow these steps below:

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  1. Note down the old microSD card's filesystem type.
  2. Copy the data on the old microSD card over to your computer.
  3. Format the new microSD card following the filesystem type noted from the old card. You can do the prep step with SD Association software if you want.
  4. Put the new microSD card into the Switch and format it again over there. This will create the folder structure.
  5. Put the new microSD card back to your computer and then copy the screenshot/video over, following the correct folder structure.
  6. Put the new microSD card back to your Switch and check if they are there.