Nintendo has introduced a data transfer option for its new Nintendo Switch 2, but a recent warning highlights a critical step that users must take during setup. At the moment you can only access the data transfer feature during the first time setup. If you dismiss it, you’ll never be able to use this feature without performing a factory reset.
The problem was originally discovered by Reddit user 18serioustech in a post on the r/NintendoSwitch2 subreddit. He worried about the added confusion this would create for new users who may be speed running the setup process for their console.
“This should be made apparent to people but if you skip the system transfer option in setup, the option is unavailable until you factory reset the console again so it may be a good idea to warn people since they’ll be setting up their console soon,” said 18serioustech.
The Nintendo Switch 2 features a new GameCube app, which has generated excitement among fans eager to play classic titles. What’s more, millions of the new console’s users are especially eager to boot up and race on “Mario Kart World” on this new platform. That enthusiasm will quickly be short-lived if users fail to follow through with transferring their data during their first-time setup.
Another user, known as SwitchForce, cautioned, “Once you’ve completed the initial setup of your Switch 2, there is no way to do that system transfer.” This statement underlines the importance of carefully following the setup instructions to ensure a smooth transition for those upgrading from previous Nintendo consoles.
If you’ve already configured your Nintendo Switch 2 but haven’t moved your data over, you can get that ability back by factory resetting. This will reintroduce the data transfer feature for you! However, this process will delete all other data on the console, forcing users to redownload everything from scratch.
