Downloading games on the Nintendo Switch is fast, easy, and opens up a world of incredible titles available exclusively through the Nintendo eShop. Whether you are a brand-new Switch owner or a veteran looking to go fully digital, this step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know — from your first purchase to managing storage like a pro.
Step 1: Connect Your Switch to the Internet
Before you can download anything, your Nintendo Switch needs an internet connection. Go to System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings and select your Wi-Fi network. Enter your password, and you are connected. For faster downloads, use a 5GHz network if available — it is significantly faster than the 2.4GHz band for large game files.
If you are using a Switch with a dock (original or OLED model), you can also use a wired ethernet connection via a USB-to-Ethernet adapter plugged into the dock. This provides the most stable and fastest download speeds, which matters when downloading large games like Xenoblade Chronicles 3 (15+ GB) or The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (18.2 GB).
Step 2: Create or Link a Nintendo Account
A free Nintendo Account is required to access the eShop. If you do not have one, visit accounts.nintendo.com on your phone or computer and create one. Then, on your Switch, go to System Settings > Users > Link Nintendo Account and sign in. This account is where your digital purchases are stored — even if you lose your Switch, your games are tied to your account and can be re-downloaded on a new console.
Step 3: Open the Nintendo eShop
From the Switch home screen, select the orange shopping bag icon labeled Nintendo eShop. Choose the user profile linked to your Nintendo Account. The eShop home screen shows featured games, current sales, new releases, and popular titles. Use the search function (magnifying glass icon) to find specific games by name.
Step 4: Purchase and Download a Game
When you find a game you want, select it to view the product page. Here you will see the price, a description, screenshots, and the file size. Click "Proceed to Purchase" (or "Free Download" for free-to-play games). Choose your payment method — credit card, PayPal, eShop balance, or Nintendo Gold Points — and confirm the purchase. The download begins automatically.
You can monitor the download progress from the home screen. The game icon will appear with a progress bar. Most games (under 5 GB) download in 5-15 minutes on a decent Wi-Fi connection. Larger titles may take 30-60 minutes. You can put your Switch to sleep mode during downloads — they continue in the background as long as the console is connected to power and Wi-Fi.
Step 5: Managing Your Storage
This is where things get important. The original Nintendo Switch has only 32 GB of internal storage. The OLED model has 64 GB, and the Switch 2 has 256 GB. After the system software, you have roughly 25 GB, 57 GB, or 240 GB available, respectively. For a digital library of any size, a microSD card is essential.
Recommended microSD Cards
| Capacity | Best For | Price (2026) | Games It Holds (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 128 GB | Casual buyers (10-15 games) | $12-15 | ~15 indie + 3-4 AAA games |
| 256 GB | Most players (recommended) | $20-25 | ~30 indie + 8-10 AAA games |
| 512 GB | Heavy digital buyers | $35-45 | ~60 indie + 15-20 AAA games |
| 1 TB | All-digital library | $60-80 | 100+ games of mixed sizes |
When buying a microSD card, choose a UHS-I (U1 or U3) speed rating — this ensures fast loading times. Brands like Samsung EVO Select, SanDisk Ultra, and Lexar are all reliable choices available on Amazon. Avoid unknown brands with suspiciously low prices — counterfeit cards with fake capacities are common and can result in data loss.
How to Install a microSD Card
Power off your Switch completely (hold the power button > Power Options > Turn Off). On the back of the Switch, behind the kickstand, there is a microSD card slot. Insert the card until it clicks. Power on the Switch, and the console will automatically format the card. All future downloads will be saved to the microSD card by default.
How to Move Games Between Internal Storage and microSD
Go to System Settings > Data Management > Move Data Between System / microSD Card. Select the games you want to move. This is useful if you want to keep your most-played games on internal storage (slightly faster loading) and archive less-played titles to the microSD card.
Step 6: Re-Downloading Purchased Games
One of the biggest advantages of digital purchases: you can re-download any game you have bought at any time, even if you deleted it to make space. Go to the eShop, select your profile icon (top right), then "Redownload." A list of all your past purchases will appear. This also works on a new Switch or Switch 2 — just sign in with the same Nintendo Account, and your entire library is accessible.
Step 7: Automatic Downloads and Updates
Keep your games up to date without lifting a finger. Go to System Settings > System > Auto-Update Software and turn it on. When your Switch is in sleep mode (connected to Wi-Fi and power), it will automatically download game updates, patches, and DLC. You can also set System Settings > Sleep Mode > Keep Internet Connection in Sleep Mode to ensure downloads continue while the console is sleeping.
Digital vs. Physical: Pros and Cons
✓ Digital Downloads
- Instant access — no waiting for delivery or store visits
- No cartridge swapping — your entire library is always available
- Cannot be lost, stolen, or damaged
- Frequent eShop sales (especially indie and third-party games)
- Carries over to Switch 2 via your Nintendo Account
✗ Digital Downloads
- Cannot be resold or traded
- Requires sufficient storage (microSD card needed)
- Dependent on Nintendo servers for re-downloads
- Nintendo first-party games rarely get deep digital discounts
- No refund policy in most regions
Our recommendation: go digital for indie and third-party games (deeper sales, convenience) and buy physical for Nintendo first-party titles (hold their value, can resell later). This hybrid approach gives you the best of both worlds. For more details on getting the best prices, check our Where to Buy Switch Games guide.
Troubleshooting Common Download Issues
Download stuck or very slow: Restart your Switch (hold power button > Restart). Move closer to your Wi-Fi router. If possible, switch to a 5GHz network or wired ethernet. Pause other downloads on other devices sharing the same network.
"Not enough storage space" error: Delete games you are not currently playing (System Settings > Data Management > Quick Archive). They remain in your purchase history and can be re-downloaded anytime.
"Download failed" error: Check your internet connection. Ensure your Nintendo Account is not logged in on too many devices. Restart the eShop and try again. If the problem persists, try again later — Nintendo servers occasionally experience high traffic during major game launches or sales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Start Building Your Digital Library
Going digital on the Nintendo Switch is convenient, space-efficient (with a good microSD card), and often cheaper thanks to eShop sales. Grab a 256 GB microSD card, set up your Nintendo Account, and start downloading. Not sure what to play first? Check our 25 Best Nintendo Switch Games or start with the best free games — zero risk, zero cost.
* Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links.
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