Here’s a clear, up‑to‑date guide on how to transfer Switch 1 to Switch 2 : your user data, digital games, and saves move from your original Nintendo Switch to the new Nintendo Switch 2 using Nintendo’s built‑in “System Transfer” feature and/or cloud/manual save transfer.

What “transfer Switch 1 to Switch 2” actually means

When people say “transfer Switch 1 to Switch 2,” they usually mean:

  • Moving your Nintendo Account(s)
  • Moving digital game licenses
  • Moving save data (as much as Nintendo allows)
  • Moving settings and parental controls

A full System Transfer will link your existing Nintendo Account to Switch 2 and move most data off the old console to the new one.

Before you start: checklist

Make sure you have:

  • 1 original Nintendo Switch (Source)
  • 1 Nintendo Switch 2 (Destination)
  • Same Nintendo Account on both consoles (or ready to sign into it on Switch 2)
  • Stable Wi‑Fi and both consoles charged/plugged in

Also note:

  • Some games have special save‑data rules (e.g., certain titles don’t use cloud saves and may be deleted from the old system during transfer).
  • If you already fully set up the Switch 2 and want a guided transfer, you may need to reset it to factory settings and redo first‑time setup to use the built‑in transfer flow.

Method 1: Full system transfer (Nintendo‑recommended)

This is best if you want to move everything from Switch 1 to Switch 2 in one go.

On your Switch 2 (new console)

  1. Turn on Switch 2.
  2. Go through initial setup: language, Wi‑Fi, time zone.
  1. When asked if you already have a Nintendo Switch, choose Yes / Start System Transfer.
  1. Sign in with the Nintendo Account from your Switch 1 when prompted.
  1. Keep Switch 2 on the System Transfer screen and nearby.

On your Switch 1 (old console)

  1. Make sure it’s updated and online.
  2. From HOME, go to System Settings → System → System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2 (or similarly named option).
  1. Read the warning about save data that may be removed from Switch 1 when transferred; confirm if you’re okay with that.
  1. Keep both consoles close together and confirm to proceed.

During the transfer

  • The consoles will link, then Switch 2 will download your data and restart.
  • After it restarts, Switch 2 continues setup and becomes your main console with your games and saves linked.
  • Switch 1 will have some or all data removed depending on game rules and settings.

Method 2: Move saves and games without full system transfer

Use this if:

  • You want to keep using Switch 1 (e.g., as a secondary console or for local co‑op), or
  • You only want to move specific saves.

Options include:

  • Cloud saves via Nintendo Switch Online
    • On Switch 1: turn on Save Data Cloud in System Settings → Data Management if you have Nintendo Switch Online.
* On Switch 2: sign into the same Nintendo Account and download cloud saves for supported games.
  • Manual save transfer (per‑game)
    • For games that support it, you can transfer an individual game’s save from Switch 1 to Switch 2 via the game’s Save Data Transfer function in the OS menu.
* This is useful if you want to skip a full system transfer or keep some saves on the original console for local trading/raids in games like Pokémon.
  • Re‑download digital games
    • Once your Nintendo Account is on Switch 2, you can re‑download purchased digital games from your account’s eShop library.

What happens to the old Switch?

After a full system transfer:

  • Switch 1 can be kept as a secondary console , wiped and handed down, or sold.
  • You can deregister it as the primary console and set Switch 2 as the primary so digital games work smoothly on the new system.
  • Some players keep both: Switch 2 docked at home and Switch 1 as a travel system, sharing digital games within Nintendo’s account rules.

Quick HTML table summary (for your “Quick Scoop” section)

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Step</th>
      <th>On Switch 2</th>
      <th>On Switch 1</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Prep</td>
      <td>Charge, connect to Wi‑Fi, start first‑time setup.[web:1][web:7]</td>
      <td>Charge, connect to Wi‑Fi, update system software.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Start transfer</td>
      <td>Select “Start System Transfer” during setup, sign into Nintendo Account.[web:1][web:2][web:7]</td>
      <td>Go to System Settings → System → “System Transfer to Nintendo Switch 2”.[web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Connection</td>
      <td>Keep console near Switch 1 and on the transfer screen.[web:2][web:3]</td>
      <td>Confirm warnings about save data, keep console nearby.[web:3][web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Finish</td>
      <td>Wait for data to download, console restarts and completes setup.[web:1][web:2]</td>
      <td>After transfer completes, confirm data removed as expected.[web:2][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Optional extras</td>
      <td>Re‑download digital games, restore cloud saves, adjust parental controls.[web:2][web:7]</td>
      <td>Set as secondary system, deregister, or factory reset if handing down/selling.[web:5][web:9][web:10]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

TL;DR: Use the built‑in System Transfer during Switch 2 setup to move your account, games, and saves from Switch 1, or mix cloud/manual save transfer if you want more control or to keep using both consoles.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.