Delete Games On Nintendo Switch: Quick Guide

Hey guys! Running out of space on your Nintendo Switch? It's a common problem, especially if you're a digital game hoarder like many of us. No worries, though! Deleting games from your Switch is super easy, and I'm here to walk you through the process step-by-step. This comprehensive guide will cover everything you need to know about managing your storage, deleting games, and understanding the implications. Let’s dive in!

Why Delete Games on Your Nintendo Switch?

Before we get into the how, let's quickly touch on the why. Why would you want to delete games? Well, there are several reasons:

• Storage Space: The most obvious reason is to free up storage space. The Nintendo Switch has limited internal storage (32GB for the standard model and 64GB for the OLED model, with a chunk of that already used by the system). Digital games can take up a significant amount of space, so if you download a lot of them, you'll fill up that storage pretty quickly. To keep your Switch running smoothly and to be able to download new games, you'll need to manage your storage.
• Game Management: Sometimes, you might just want to declutter your game library. Maybe you've finished a game and don't plan on playing it again anytime soon, or perhaps you've tried a demo and decided it's not for you. Deleting these games helps you keep your home screen organized and makes it easier to find the games you actually want to play.
• Performance Issues: Although less common, a full storage can sometimes lead to performance issues. Keeping your storage relatively free can help your Switch run optimally.

So, deleting games isn't just about freeing up space; it's also about keeping your gaming experience smooth and enjoyable. Now, let's get to the nitty-gritty of how to actually delete those games.

Step-by-Step Guide: Deleting Games on Your Nintendo Switch

Okay, guys, let’s get into the meat of the matter. Here’s a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to delete games on your Nintendo Switch. Follow these simple instructions, and you'll have more storage space in no time!

Step 1: Accessing System Settings

First things first, you need to access the system settings on your Nintendo Switch. This is where all the magic happens in terms of managing your console.

1. From the Home Menu: Start by ensuring you are on the Home Menu of your Nintendo Switch. This is the screen where you see all your game icons and other applications.
2. Navigate to System Settings: Use the joystick or directional buttons to scroll across the bottom row of icons until you find the “System Settings” icon. It looks like a gear or cog. Select it by pressing the A button.

Step 2: Navigating to Data Management

Once you're in the System Settings, you need to find the Data Management section. This is where you can view and manage your console’s storage, including deleting games and software.

1. Scroll Down: In the System Settings menu, scroll down until you see the “Data Management” option. It's usually located about halfway down the list.
2. Select Data Management: Use the joystick or directional buttons to highlight “Data Management” and then press the A button to select it.

Step 3: Choosing “Manage Software”

Within the Data Management menu, you’ll find several options related to storage and data. The one we’re interested in is “Manage Software.”

1. Find “Manage Software”: In the Data Management menu, look for the option labeled “Manage Software”. This is where you’ll see a list of all the games and applications installed on your system.
2. Select “Manage Software”: Highlight “Manage Software” using the joystick or directional buttons and press the A button to enter.

Step 4: Selecting the Game to Delete

Now you’ll see a list of all the games and applications currently installed on your Nintendo Switch. Take your time to scroll through the list and find the game you want to delete.

1. Browse the List: Scroll through the list of games. They are usually displayed with their icons and names, making it easy to identify them.
2. Select the Game: Once you find the game you want to delete, highlight it using the joystick or directional buttons and press the A button.

Step 5: Deleting the Game

After selecting a game, you'll be taken to a screen with more information about it, including options to archive or delete the software. This is the crucial step where you actually remove the game from your system.

1. Choose “Delete Software”: On the game’s information screen, you’ll see several options. Look for the one labeled “Delete Software”. This is the option that will completely remove the game and its data from your Nintendo Switch.
2. Confirm the Deletion: A confirmation prompt will appear, asking if you're sure you want to delete the software. This is your last chance to back out, so make sure you’ve selected the correct game. Read the message carefully and if you're sure, select “Delete” by pressing the A button.
3. Wait for the Process to Complete: The Nintendo Switch will then begin the deletion process. This might take a few moments, depending on the size of the game. Once it’s done, the game will be removed from your system, and you’ll have more free space.

Step 6: Understanding the Implications of Deleting

Before we move on, it’s super important to understand what happens when you delete a game from your Nintendo Switch. This will help you avoid any surprises or potential data loss.

• Game Data: When you delete a game, you are removing the game files from your system. This includes the main game software and any updates or patches you’ve downloaded.
• Save Data: This is a critical point: Deleting the software does NOT delete your save data. Your save data is stored separately, either on the console’s internal storage or on your Nintendo Switch Online cloud saves (if you’re a subscriber). This means you won’t lose your progress in the game.
• Re-downloading: If you delete a game you purchased digitally from the Nintendo eShop, you can always re-download it later at no additional cost. Your purchase is tied to your Nintendo Account, not to the console itself.

So, to recap: deleting a game frees up space, but your save data remains safe, and you can always re-download digital games. Now, let's look at another option: Archiving.

Archiving vs. Deleting: What’s the Difference?

You might have noticed an option called “Archive” alongside “Delete” when managing your software. So, what’s the difference between archiving and deleting a game, and when should you use each option?

Archiving Software

• What it Does: Archiving a game removes the game software from your Nintendo Switch, freeing up storage space. However, it leaves the game icon on your Home Menu. The key difference is that when you select an archived game, it prompts you to re-download it rather than launching the game.
• Why Use It: Archiving is a great option if you want to free up space temporarily but still want quick access to re-download the game later. It’s like putting a game on the shelf rather than completely getting rid of it.

Deleting Software

• What it Does: Deleting a game completely removes the game software and its icon from your Nintendo Switch. This frees up storage space, and the game is no longer visible on your Home Menu unless you re-download it from the eShop.
• Why Use It: Deleting is ideal for games you know you won’t be playing again anytime soon. It provides a cleaner, more organized Home Menu and ensures you’re maximizing your available storage.

Key Differences Summarized

Feature	Archiving	Deleting
Frees Up Space	Yes	Yes
Game Icon	Remains on Home Menu	Removed from Home Menu
Re-downloading	Prompts to re-download when selected	Requires going to the eShop to re-download
Best Use Case	Games you might play again soon but need space for now	Games you don't plan on playing again or want to completely remove from your system for a cleaner interface

Choosing between archiving and deleting depends on your personal preferences and how you want to manage your game library. If you’re unsure, archiving is often a safer bet since it keeps the game easily accessible for re-download.

Managing Save Data: What You Need to Know

As we touched on earlier, your save data is typically stored separately from the game software. This is excellent news because it means you usually won't lose your game progress when you delete or archive a game. However, it’s crucial to understand how save data works on the Nintendo Switch to avoid any potential mishaps.

Local Save Data

• Where it’s Stored: Most save data on the Nintendo Switch is stored on the console’s internal storage. This includes save data for both physical and digital games.
• Implications for Deleting: When you delete a game, your local save data remains on the console. If you re-download the game, you can pick up right where you left off.
• Backing Up: Unfortunately, the Nintendo Switch doesn't offer a way to manually back up local save data to an external device (except for certain games that support save data transfer). This means that if your console is damaged or lost, you could lose your save data unless you're using Nintendo Switch Online.

Nintendo Switch Online Cloud Saves

• What It Is: Nintendo Switch Online is a subscription service that offers several benefits, including online multiplayer, access to classic NES and SNES games, and cloud saves.
• How It Works: If you're a Nintendo Switch Online subscriber, your save data for compatible games is automatically backed up to the cloud. This is a fantastic way to protect your progress in case something happens to your console.
• Checking Cloud Save Status: To check if your save data is backed up to the cloud, go to System Settings > Data Management > Save Data Cloud. Here, you can see the status of your cloud saves and manually back up or download save data.

Managing Save Data Manually

While you can't manually back up all save data, you can manage it to some extent:

• Deleting Save Data: If you want to delete save data for a specific game (for example, to start a new game from scratch), go to System Settings > Data Management > Delete Save Data. Be careful when using this option, as deleted save data cannot be recovered.
• Transferring Save Data: Some games support transferring save data to another user on the same console or to a different Nintendo Switch. This is useful if you have multiple profiles on your Switch or if you’re upgrading to a new console.

Understanding how save data is managed on your Nintendo Switch is essential for protecting your game progress. If you’re a serious gamer, subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online for cloud saves is highly recommended.

Tips for Managing Your Nintendo Switch Storage

Alright, guys, now that you know how to delete games and manage save data, let's wrap up with some handy tips for managing your Nintendo Switch storage in the long run. These tips will help you keep your console running smoothly and ensure you always have room for new games.

1. Use a MicroSD Card

• Why: The Nintendo Switch has limited internal storage, so investing in a microSD card is almost essential, especially if you download a lot of digital games. A microSD card significantly expands your storage capacity.
• How: You can insert a microSD card into the slot located under the kickstand on the back of the console. The Switch supports microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC cards.
• Choosing a Card: When selecting a microSD card, consider the storage capacity and speed. A 128GB or 256GB card is a good starting point for most users, and a UHS-I card with a speed rating of Class 10 or higher is recommended for optimal performance.

2. Regularly Review Your Installed Games

• Why: Make it a habit to periodically review your installed games and delete or archive the ones you’re not playing. This prevents your storage from filling up unnecessarily.
• How: Go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software to see a list of your installed games. From there, you can delete or archive games as needed.

3. Consider Archiving Games Instead of Deleting

• Why: As we discussed earlier, archiving games is a good option if you might want to play them again in the future. It keeps the game icon on your Home Menu for easy re-downloading.
• How: When selecting a game to manage, choose the “Archive Software” option instead of “Delete Software.”

4. Monitor Your Downloaded Content

• Why: Keep an eye on the size of the games and applications you download. Some games, especially AAA titles, can be quite large and take up a significant amount of storage.
• How: The Nintendo eShop displays the file size of games before you download them. Pay attention to this information and plan your downloads accordingly.

5. Utilize Nintendo Switch Online Cloud Saves

• Why: Subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online and using cloud saves is an excellent way to protect your game progress. It also frees up space on your console by backing up save data to the cloud.
• How: Ensure that cloud saves are enabled in your Nintendo Switch Online settings. Your save data will then be automatically backed up for compatible games.

6. Delete Unnecessary Demos and Applications

• Why: Demos and applications can also take up valuable storage space. If you’ve tried a demo and decided you’re not interested in the full game, or if you have applications you no longer use, delete them to free up space.
• How: Follow the same steps as deleting games: go to System Settings > Data Management > Manage Software, select the demo or application, and choose “Delete Software.”

7. Stay Organized

• Why: A well-organized game library makes it easier to manage your storage. Use folders or other organization methods to group your games and quickly find what you’re looking for.
• How: The Nintendo Switch allows you to create groups of games on your Home Menu. Use this feature to categorize your games and keep your screen tidy.

Conclusion: Mastering Nintendo Switch Storage Management

So there you have it, guys! Deleting games on your Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process that can significantly improve your gaming experience. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily free up storage space, manage your game library, and ensure your console runs smoothly. Remember to consider archiving games you might want to play again, understand how save data is managed, and take advantage of tips like using a microSD card and subscribing to Nintendo Switch Online. Happy gaming, and may your storage always be sufficient for your next adventure!