The Nintendo Switch is a great sensation, thanks in large part to its fantastic, ever-expanding game library. With only 32GB of onboard storage, storage space will become a concern as your collection expands.
If you don’t already have one, you’ll almost surely need one in the future, but even then, you may find that you can’t fit your entire digital library onto your Switch at once.
Fortunately, the Switch allows you to uninstall and reinstall games purchased with your Nintendo account at any time without affecting your save data. It’s really simple to keep track of your Switch library. Here’s how to uninstall, reinstall, and archive Nintendo Switch games.
Guide on How to Delete an App on Nintendo Switch
If you don’t have a microSD card to store all of your Switch game data, the internal storage may already be full. This is inconvenient because it inhibits you from downloading or playing new games.
You can erase games from your Switch if you need to free up space for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or another digital title. You can re-download a digital game from the eShop if you need more storage or if you wish to put it on your Switch again.
Deleting games and apps
The game data, as well as the game’s symbol, are fully removed from your Switch when you delete the software. This strategy is for you if your library is cluttered and you don’t plan on playing that game again.
Step 1: As seen above, tap or pick the All Software icon on the right end of the game grid. You can simply select the game you wish to delete from the home screen if you know what it is and have recently played it.
Step 2: After selecting a game, press or tap the physical Options (+) button, then tap or pick Manage Software (using the A button) from the pop-up menu.
Step 3: Select Delete Software from the drop-down menu. When prompted, press or select Delete to confirm.
Archiving games
Archiving is an alternative delete option for the Switch that removes a game’s data but keeps its icon in your library. Given how the Switch buries every paid digital game deep within your Nintendo account, we advocate archiving rather than deleting, even though this clutters your library.
Step 1: As seen above, tap or pick the All Software icon on the right end of the game grid. You can simply select the game you wish to delete from the home screen if you know what it is and have recently played it.
Step 2: After selecting a game, press or tap the physical Options (+) button, then tap or pick Manage Software from the pop-up menu.
Step 3: Archive Software is a good option. When prompted, tap or select Archive to confirm.
Reinstalling deleted games
Like the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Steam, your complete digital game catalogue is not featured on the system. You’ll have to search through your Nintendo eShop profile for games to download them again.
Step 1: Choose the Nintendo eShop icon by tapping or selecting it.
Step 2: In the top-right corner, tap or choose your account avatar.
Step3: To access your library of titles not currently installed on the console, scroll down and press or select Redownload.
Step4: Tap or choose the Cloud symbol to the right of the game you want to install.
Unarchiving Games
You’ve come to the proper place if you unintentionally sent one of your games to the archive abyss. We’ll walk you through the process of reclaiming your prized game.
Step 1: On the home screen, locate the All Software tab. You may also search for a certain game by highlighting it. A cloud sign will appear on your screen when the game begins to download.
Step 2: After you’ve decided on a game, it’ll begin downloading to your Switch. Simply press the download button a second time to confirm your selection.
Keeping Track of Storage
To better manage your limited storage space, make a list of the games in your library that occupy the majority of your storage capacity. It’s really simple to track them down.
Step 1: Select System Settings in the first step.
Step 2: Locate Data Management on the left side of the screen. Select that option.
Step 3: The Manage Software feature should now be visible. To determine how much storage is used, this program organizes, tracks, and groups your installed games. Games are arranged in order of how much space they take up to how little space they take up.
Step 4: You can opt to archive or remove a game while viewing the list to free up space.
At the same time, you can archive multiple games. Under Data Management, users can access Quick Archive. You can see when you last played a game by hovering your cursor over it. It’s a good measure of how often you play the game, and it might help you determine if you should keep it or delete it.
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble making space on your Nintendo Switch, using a larger microSD card might be a better option so you don’t have to shuffle your save data around.
To have all of your information on the new memory card, you’ll have to transfer the saved data from one microSD to another.