Nintendo Switch Games: How To Delete Them

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How to Delete Games on Nintendo Switch: A Comprehensive 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 me. Don't worry; deleting games on your Nintendo Switch is super easy, and I'm here to walk you through it step-by-step. This guide will cover everything from the basic deletion process to managing your save data and even archiving games. So, grab your Switch, and let’s free up some space!

Why Delete Games?

Before we dive in, let's talk about why you might want to delete games in the first place. The most obvious reason is storage space. The Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite come with limited internal storage (32GB for the standard Switch and Switch Lite, and 64GB for the OLED model). Considering that many modern games can be quite large, you can fill that space up really quickly. Deleting games you no longer play makes room for new titles and ensures your Switch runs smoothly.

Another reason is to declutter your home screen. Having a ton of game icons can be overwhelming, especially if you only play a few of them regularly. Removing the ones you don't use anymore can make navigating your Switch's menu much easier and more enjoyable. Think of it as giving your Switch a good spring cleaning!

And finally, sometimes you might want to delete a game for personal reasons. Maybe you've finished it and don't plan on replaying it anytime soon, or perhaps you just didn't enjoy it and want to get rid of it. Whatever your reason, deleting games is a perfectly valid way to manage your Nintendo Switch experience.

Method 1: Deleting Games from the Home Menu

This is the easiest and most straightforward method for deleting games. Here’s how you do it:

  1. Navigate to the Game Icon: From the Nintendo Switch home menu, find the icon of the game you want to delete. Take your time and make sure you select the correct game. You don't want to accidentally delete something you still want to play!
  2. Press the Plus or Minus Button: Once you've highlighted the game, press either the Plus (+) or Minus (-) button on your Joy-Con or Pro Controller. This will bring up a menu with several options related to the game.
  3. Select 'Manage Software': In the menu that appears, scroll down and select 'Manage Software'. This option will take you to a new screen with further options.
  4. Choose 'Delete Software': On the 'Manage Software' screen, you'll see a few options, including 'Delete Software'. Select this option. A confirmation message will appear, asking if you're sure you want to delete the game.
  5. Confirm Deletion: Read the confirmation message carefully. It will remind you that deleting the software will remove the game from your system, but your save data will be preserved (more on that later). If you're sure you want to proceed, select 'Delete'. The game will be deleted, and its icon will disappear from your home menu.

Method 2: Deleting Games from System Settings

This method is useful if you want to see a list of all your installed games and manage them from one central location. Here’s how to do it:

  1. Open System Settings: From the home menu, select the 'System Settings' icon. It looks like a gear or cogwheel.
  2. Navigate to 'Data Management': In the System Settings menu, scroll down to 'Data Management' and select it. This section contains various options for managing your Switch's storage.
  3. Select 'Software': In the 'Data Management' menu, choose 'Software'. This will display a list of all the games currently installed on your Nintendo Switch.
  4. Choose the Game to Delete: Scroll through the list and select the game you want to delete. This will take you to the same 'Manage Software' screen we saw in the previous method.
  5. Select 'Delete Software': On the 'Manage Software' screen, select 'Delete Software'. Again, a confirmation message will appear.
  6. Confirm Deletion: Read the message and select 'Delete' to confirm. The game will be removed from your system.

Understanding Save Data

One of the most important things to understand when deleting games is how it affects your save data. Luckily, the Nintendo Switch is designed to preserve your save data even when you delete a game. This means you won't lose your progress, unlocked characters, or high scores.

Save data is stored separately from the game software itself. It's stored either on the internal storage of your Switch or on your Nintendo Switch Online cloud save storage (if you're a subscriber). When you delete a game, only the game files are removed, leaving your save data untouched.

However, it's essential to note that not all games support cloud saves. Some games only store save data locally on your Switch. In these cases, if something happens to your Switch (like it gets lost or damaged), you could lose your save data. To avoid this, it's a good idea to back up your save data to a microSD card regularly.

To check if a game supports cloud saves, go to the 'System Settings,' then 'Data Management,' then 'Save Data Cloud.' Here, you can see a list of your games and their cloud save status. You can also manually back up your save data to the cloud from this menu.

Archiving Games: A Great Alternative to Deleting

If you're not quite ready to completely delete a game, the Nintendo Switch offers another option: archiving. Archiving a game removes the game files from your system, freeing up storage space, but it keeps the game icon on your home menu. This makes it easy to redownload the game later if you decide you want to play it again.

Here’s how to archive a game:

  1. Follow the steps to get to the 'Manage Software' screen for the game you want to archive (either from the home menu or from System Settings).
  2. Select 'Archive Software': On the 'Manage Software' screen, choose 'Archive Software'. A confirmation message will appear.
  3. Confirm Archiving: Read the message and select 'Archive' to confirm. The game will be archived, and its icon will remain on your home menu with a cloud download symbol.

To redownload an archived game, simply select its icon on the home menu. The Switch will automatically begin downloading the game from the Nintendo eShop. You'll need an internet connection to do this, of course.

Managing MicroSD Card Storage

If you're serious about gaming on your Nintendo Switch, you'll probably want to invest in a microSD card. This will significantly increase your storage capacity and allow you to download many more games. The Nintendo Switch supports microSD cards up to 2TB in size, although those are quite expensive. A 128GB or 256GB card is a good starting point for most gamers.

To use a microSD card, simply insert it into the microSD card slot on the back of your Switch, under the kickstand. Once the card is inserted, you can choose to download new games directly to the card. You can also move existing games from the internal storage to the microSD card.

Here’s how to move games to a microSD card:

  1. Open System Settings: Go to the home menu and select 'System Settings'.
  2. Navigate to 'Data Management': In the System Settings menu, scroll down to 'Data Management' and select it.
  3. Select 'Move Data Between System / microSD Card': Choose this option to move data between your Switch's internal storage and the microSD card.
  4. Choose 'Move to microSD Card': Select this option to move games from the internal storage to the microSD card. The Switch will display a list of games that can be moved.
  5. Select the Games to Move: Choose the games you want to move and select 'Move'. The Switch will transfer the game files to the microSD card.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Sometimes, you might encounter problems when deleting or archiving games. Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

  • Not Enough Storage Space: If you're trying to download a new game and you don't have enough storage space, try deleting or archiving some games you no longer play. You can also move games to a microSD card.
  • Game Won't Delete: If a game won't delete, try restarting your Nintendo Switch. This can often resolve temporary glitches that might be preventing the deletion process.
  • Corrupted Data: If you suspect that your game data is corrupted, you can try deleting the game and redownloading it. This will often fix the problem, but you might lose your save data if it's also corrupted.
  • microSD Card Issues: If you're having problems with your microSD card, make sure it's properly inserted and that it's compatible with the Nintendo Switch. You can also try formatting the microSD card, but be aware that this will erase all data on the card.

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Deleting games on your Nintendo Switch is a simple process that can help you free up storage space and declutter your home menu. Whether you choose to delete games entirely or archive them for later, the Nintendo Switch offers several options for managing your game library. And with a microSD card, you can expand your storage capacity and download even more games. Happy gaming, everyone!