Nintendo Releases Update for Switch That Adds Data Transfer to Switch 2 April 30, 2025

Nintendo Switch owners lucky enough to get their hands on a preorder for a Switch 2 should power on their OG consoles right now because Nintendo has just released a free update for them. The new system software, version 20.0, adds a bunch of new features but in our opinion the most important new feature is the ability to transfer your Switch’s internal save data to a brand-new Switch 2.

Nintendo is currently offering two methods of performing a Switch to Switch 2 transfer through their new feature. The first would be to do a direct Switch to Switch 2 transfer, the other is to tell your Switch to save all your data to their cloud service for later retrieval on the Switch 2. This second option would be useful for gamers who plan to sell or trade their Nintendo Switch before getting their hands on the new Switch 2. In both cases this process is irreversible, and once concluded your original Switch will reset to factory settings.

This is a much welcome feature, and I’m happy Nintendo is offering it to gamers. While Nintendo has offered system transfer options in the past, including from Wii to Wii U, as well as DSi to 3DS, their offerings for Switch to Switch transfer has been disappointing. It is nice to see this added at the right time so we can be ready for when the new console launches.