Do you know? What does archiving do on Switch? When you download games on your Nintendo Switch, you might notice that the console’s storage can quickly fill up, especially if you have a lot of games. Archiving is one way to manage your Switch’s storage and keep your games organized.
In this article, we will discuss what archiving does on Switch, why you should use it, how to archive games, and other related topics.
What is Archiving on Switch?
Archiving is a feature on Nintendo Switch that allows you to remove games from your console’s storage while keeping them in your account. When you archive a game, the game data is saved to the console’s memory card or microSD card, but the game icon and thumbnail are removed from the home menu.
Why Should You Archive Games?
There are several reasons why you might want to archive games on your Switch:
- Free up storage space: Archiving games can help you free up storage space on your Switch without losing your game progress.
- Organize your games: If you have a lot of games, archiving them can help you organize them and make it easier to find the games you want to play.
- Keep your games: Archiving is a better option than deleting a game, especially if you want to keep the game for future use.
How to Archive Games on Switch?
Archiving games on your Nintendo Switch is a straightforward process:
- Go to the home menu and find the game you want to archive.
- Press and hold the game icon until a menu appears.
- Select “Archive Software” from the menu.
- Confirm that you want to archive the game by selecting “Archive.”
Once you confirm that you want to archive the game, the game icon and thumbnail will be removed from the home menu, and the game data will be saved to your console’s memory card or microSD card.
Can You Still Play an Archived Game?
Yes, you can still play an archived game. When you archive a game, you are only removing the game icon and thumbnail from the home menu. The game data is still saved on your console’s memory card or microSD card.
To play an archived game, you need to restore it first. You can restore an archived game by following the steps in the next section.
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How to Restore an Archived Game on Switch?
Restoring an archived game on your Switch is also a simple process:
- Go to the Nintendo eShop and find the game you want to restore.
- Select “Download” or “Redownload” to start the download process.
- Once the game is downloaded, the game icon and thumbnail will reappear on the home menu.
Note that you can only restore games that you have purchased or downloaded from the eShop. If you have deleted a game or if it was removed from the eShop, you will not be able to restore it.
How Many Games Can You Archive on Switch?
There is no specific limit to the number of games you can archive on your Nintendo Switch. However, the number of games you can archive depends on the amount of storage space available on your console’s memory card or microSD card.
If you have a lot of games, it’s a good idea to use a microSD card to expand your Switch’s storage capacity.
Does Archiving Affect Save Data?
No, archiving games on your Switch does not affect save data. When you archive a game, the game data is saved to your console’s memory card or microSD card, but the save data is still stored on the console’s internal memory.
You can also back up your save data to the cloud or transfer it to another Switch console, but this is a separate process from archiving games.
Archiving vs. Deleting: What’s the Difference?
Archiving and deleting are two different ways to manage your games on Nintendo Switch. When you delete a game, you are removing the game data from your console’s memory, including the game progress and save data. You will need to re-download the game if you want to play it again.
On the other hand, when you archive a game, you are only removing the game icon and thumbnail from the home menu. The game data is still saved on your console’s memory card or microSD card, and you can restore the game at any time without losing your game progress.
When Should You Delete a Game Instead of Archiving it?
You should only delete a game from your Nintendo Switch if you no longer need it and do not plan on playing it again in the future. Deleting a game frees up more space on your console’s memory than archiving it.
However, if you want to keep the game progress and save data, it’s better to archive the game instead of deleting it.
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Conclusion
Archiving games on your Nintendo Switch is a useful feature that can help you manage your games, free up storage space, and keep your games organized. With this comprehensive guide, you now know what archiving does on Switch, why you should use it, and how to archive and restore games.