Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Background
Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Badge picture
Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Game of the Week
  • G+RLS Podcast
  • GTA 6
  • Best gaming tech
  • RPG Hub
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
Want more Switch 2 news?

Sign up to our Switch 2 newsletter to make sure you get the very latest news on Nintendo's new console and its games every week


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Platforms
  2. Nintendo
  3. Nintendo Switch

How to transfer data to a Nintendo Switch Lite from another console

Guides
By Leon Hurley
Last updated 14 December 2023

Grabbing a Nintendo Switch Lite? Here's how to transfer all your data and saves from another console

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Switch transfer account
(Image credit: Nintendo)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

If you want to know how to transfer data to a Nintendo Switch Lite then we can help you set up your new handheld. Obviously you want to be able to use your existing account, and sharing your progress on all your favourite games is very useful if you want to take it on the go. So to help you I've prepared this quick and easy guide on how to transfer user data to a Nintendo Switch Lite, including saves and progress.

What you need to transfer user data to a Nintendo Switch Lite

What you need to transfer user data to a Nintendo Switch Lite

(Image credit: nintendo)

Before you can start a Nintendo Switch Lite data transfer you'll need to make sure you've got a few other things done first. Make sure you have both your old and new consoles to hand and, assuming you've got both your old Switch and the new Nintendo Switch Lite in front of you, you'll also need the following: 

  1. Both consoles need to be updated to System Menu version 4.0.0 or higher
  2. Both consoles need to be connected online, and close enough for local communication
  3. You'll need a Nintendo account connected to the user account you want to transfer 

You'll also need no more than seven accounts on the Nintendo Switch Lite, so there's space for a new account, and enough memory to take the new data. However, assuming you're doing this to a fresh, out the box Lite, that's not likely to be a problem. 

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

Worth remembering that this is a one way trip as well - once you've made the transfer you can't use any game or saves on the old console. 

With that all in mind, here's how to transfer user data to a Nintendo Switch Lite:

How to transfer user data to a Nintendo Switch Lite

Switch transfer account

(Image credit: Nintendo)

First up head to the 'Home' menu and select the following: 

  1. System Settings
  2. User
  3. Transfer Your User Data

Switch transfer account

(Image credit: Nintendo)

From the 'Transfer Your User Data' option select 'Next', and 'Next' again until you can chose 'Source Console' which is the console you want to transfer data from. Select 'Continue' and the source console is set up. 

Want more Switch 2 news?

Sign up to our Switch 2 Spotlight newsletter to make sure you get the very latest news on Nintendo's new console and its games every week

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

To prepare your new Nintendo Switch Lite to receive new data, as the 'Target' console, you need to repeat those initial steps in the 'Home' menu: 

  1. System Settings
  2. User
  3. Transfer Your User Data

This time, after selecting 'Next' twice' you need to chose 'Target Console' as an option so that user data is transferred here.  

You can then sign in to your Nintendo account using your email and password and hit 'Next' again, once you're logged in. 

Once you are logged in the 'Target Console' should appear on the 'Source Console' and you'll be able to choose the option to 'Transfer'. You'll have to wait a while for it to end but once it does you can just click 'End' to finish it all off and you're done!

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission

Leon Hurley
Leon Hurley
Social Links Navigation
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.

Latest in Nintendo Switch
Nintendo Switch ad showing Bowser and Bowser Jr, the latter playing on a Switch while the former watches with a surprised expression on his face
Games Switch pirate ordered to pay Nintendo $4.5 million, which the company says is "nowhere near" enough
 
 
A raven-haired character in a hood is illuminated by a bright yellow light in the intro to Shape of Dreams.
Roguelike Games Shape of Dreams codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for cosmetics
 
 
Nintendo Switch games with Switch 2 handheld on a wooden desk
Nintendo Switch PSA: Nintendo's Customer Appreciation Sale ends in two days, these are the games you need to see
 
 
Haru, Futaba, and Makoto seen in the animated opening for Persona 5.
Persona Persona 5 Futaba actor "was terrified" when she was offered the role, thought she was "miscast"
 
 
Metroid Dread
Metroid Out-of-print Metroid Dread physical copies are selling north of $100
 
 
Image of all four CRKD Atom+ controller designs on a black background.
Gaming Controllers CRKD is finally shipping the upgrade to my favorite teeny tiny controller, and I can't wait to get my hands on the Atom+
 
 
Latest in Guides
Control Resonant
Action RPGs What to do first in Control Resonant after the tutorial
 
 
Silent Hill townfall blood puzzle
Silent Hill Silent Hill Townfall blood puzzle solution
 
 
A raven-haired character in a hood is illuminated by a bright yellow light in the intro to Shape of Dreams.
Roguelike Games Shape of Dreams codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for cosmetics
 
 
Control Resonant
Action RPGs How to get all Clearance Keycards in Control Resonant
 
 
Geralt rides a horse through a swamp in The Witcher 3 Remastered.
The Witcher When is The Witcher 3 Remastered release time, so you can return to the Northern Kingdoms?
 
 
A hammer smashes down onto a forge to craft a weapon in +1 Loot to Forge.
Simulation Games All +1 Loot to Forge codes (September 2026) and how to redeem them for coins
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A bearded man in pirate garb holds a hand of cards close to his chest, literally
    1
    Palworld dev says 2026's best indie could be this Overwhelmingly Positive Steam citybuilder
  2. 2
    "I don’t think Starfield was anywhere near successful enough to do a Starfield 2," Bethesda vet says
  3. 3
    Silent Hill Townfall blood puzzle solution
  4. 4
    Stellar Blade is adding a frame gen toggle on Nintendo Switch 2 after players said it looks bad
  5. 5
    €100 million Fortnite lawsuit claims Epic put "pressure" on minors to spend real money

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...