There’s only one key difference between the archive and delete functions on the Nintendo Switch.
What is the difference between archive and delete on Nintendo Switch?
The main difference between archiving and deleting software on Nintendo Switch is that archiving software leaves the game icon accessible from your home screen. You can use either option to free up space and your save data is unaffected in both cases.
Archiving data on Switch
Archiving a game on your Nintendo Switch will delete the game data but the game’s icon will remain on your home menu.
Even if you want to free up space, it’s nice to have the icon there as a reminder of all the games you own. A bit like how you can see all the games in your Steam Library whether or not they’re downloaded and installed on that device.
I think the most useful thing about the archive function leaving the game icon visible on the home screen is that if you want to jump back into an archived game and redownload it, you can do so without having to go to the eShop first.
Does archiving Switch games delete save data?
Your save data is not deleted if you archive a game on the Nintendo Switch.
The save data is saved on the console’s internal storage and it’s associated with a player’s user account rather than with the game itself.
If you redownload archived software, you’ll be able to access your user’s save data just fine.
Do you have to rebuy archived games on Switch?
No, you don’t have to rebuy games on your Switch if you archive them to free up space (or for any other reason, actually).
Nintendo Switch games are expensive as it is – it would be insane if you had to pay up every time you redownloaded a game you already bought!
The only situation where you might need to rebuy a Switch game is if you lose or damage a physical Switch cartridge. You can’t download a copy of a physical Switch game you already own, so you’ll need to pay full price for a replacement.
What does Auto Archiving mean on Switch?
The Nintendo Switch will automatically archive software to free up space when required.
If you don’t want this to happen, it’s possible to turn auto archiving off for individual games:
Head to the ‘Software’ list under ‘Data Management’ (in System Settings). Select a game and you’ll see the option to turn Auto Archiving on or off.
How to archive software on Nintendo Switch
You can archive data via either the data management menu or the software options menu.
If you want to archive more than one game at the same time, the data management menu method is much quicker.
Archive software via the data management menu
- From your home screen, navigate to ‘System Settings’
- Scroll down and select ‘Data Management’
- Select the ‘Quick Archive’ option
- Select one or more games that you wish to archive, then select ‘Archive Data’
Archive software via the software options menu
- Navigate to and select the archived game icon on your Switch home menu
- Select ‘Manage Software’
- Selected ‘Archive Software’
How to retrieve archived data on Nintendo Switch
- Navigate to and select the archived game icon on your Switch home menu
- A message will appear telling you that the game is currently not on the console – simply select the Download option on this pop-up.
Deleting data on Switch
Deleting a game on your Nintendo Switch will delete all game data and remove the game icon from your home menu.
If you don’t feel like you’ll play a particular game in a while (or, like, ever again) and you want to free up space then deleting software makes sense.
For those that prefer a decluttered Switch experience, deleting is better than archiving as it removes the game icon from the home screen, especially if you have lots of small size games on your Switch rather than two or three big AAA titles.
Does deleting a game on Switch delete save data?
Your save data is not deleted if you delete a game on the Nintendo Switch.
The save data is saved on the console’s internal storage and it’s associated with a player’s user account rather than with the game itself.
If you redownload deleted software, you’ll be able to access your user’s save data just fine.
However, if you need to perform a factory reset because your Switch shows the blue screen of death or otherwise break it requiring a factory reset.
If you delete a game on Nintendo Switch can you redownload it for free
Yes, if you delete software from your Switch you’ll be able to redownload it for free.
- Head to the eShop (make sure you’re logged into the same Nintendo Account that originally bought the software).
- Select your user icon in the top right of the screen
- Select ‘Redownload’ to see a list of purchased games that can be redownloaded.
- Select the download button (with the cloud icon) next to your selected game to redownload it.
Why can’t I redownload a game on my switch?
You won’t be able to redownload a deleted game on your Nintendo Switch if:
- You aren’t logged in to the Nintendo Account that purchased the software
- You don’t have enough storage space (either internally or on your SD card)
- Your console isn’t connected to the internet
- The game is no longer available on the eShop
Can you delete a game on Nintendo Switch and get your money back?
Nope, you can’t delete a game on Switch and get your money back.
Even if you accidentally purchased the wrong game or DLC, Nintendo’s stance on refunds (or lack thereof) for digital content bought from the eShop is pretty firm.
How to delete software on Nintendo Switch
- From your home screen, navigate to ‘System Settings’
- Scroll down and select ‘Data Management’
- Select the game you want to delete
- Select ‘Delete Software’ and then select ‘Delete’ on the pop-up that appears.
A bit more info about save data on Switch
It’s not always clear exactly what is saved where on the Switch. This stuff is good to know in case you run out of space on your Switch and need to work out what’s worth getting rid of.
Is Switch game data saved on the cartridge?
Save data on the Nintendo Switch is not saved on the game cartridge. It’s saved on the Switch’s system memory.
Old-school Nintendo cartridges for consoles like the Game Boy Advance incorporate a tiny battery to enable save data to be stored on the cartridge.
That’s why you can slot your old copy of Pokemon Fire Red into any GBA and you won’t have to slave away to find Mewtwo or train up the other overpowered Psychic Pokemon again – your original save will still be accessible.
Newer hardware like the 3DS cartridges are similar to the Switch (though sadly it’s still tricky to play 3DS games on Switch)
Can you transfer Switch save data to the SD card?
No, you can’t transfer Switch save data to an SD card.
If you’re running out of space on the internal storage, the best thing to do is get a good quality, high-capacity SD card to store your downloaded games on.
The Switch is not known for its power or its storage capacity: The OG model and the Switch Lite have 32GB of internal storage and the OLED version has 64GB.
That’s fine for games like Game of the Year nominee Super Mario Odyssey (5.7GB) as well as for plenty of new games (for example, Mario Strikers: Battle League – the best soccer game on Switch – only takes up around 3GB).
However, there are some behemoth Switch titles out there for which you’ll need a beefy SD card for digital download. Most notable are the NBA 2K games which seem to balloon even larger every year: NBA 2K23 on Switch requires a whopping 52.1GB of space.
For some added perspective, the massive open world in the Skyrim: Anniversary Edition Switch port (plus all the added content you get for $70) takes less than 15GB.
What if Nintendo shuts the Switch eShop?
If Nintendo shuts the Switch eShop, you’ll probably still be able to redownload archived or deleted games that you previously purchased.
At least, that’s based on the information provided by Nintendo relating to the 3DS and Wii U eShop closure which occurred in March 2023:
‘Even after 27 March 2023 [the 3DS and Wii U eShop closure date] and for the foreseeable future, it will still be possible to redownload games and DLC, receive software updates and enjoy online play on Wii U consoles and Nintendo 3DS systems.’
Wii U Nintendo 3DS eShop Discontinuation Q&A
That’s pretty important information, given that digital games account for 56% of total Switch game sales.
Nintendo Switch archive vs delete – summary
The Nintendo Switch archive and delete options essentially do the same thing – they remove game data from your console. The main difference is that the game’s home icon is retained when you archive a game, but not when you delete it.
And don’t worry! Your save data is not affected whether you archive or delete a game.
