microSD Express explained: what Switch 2 owners need to know

If you've just bought a Nintendo Switch 2, there's a good chance your old microSD card won't work in it. Nintendo's new console uses a newer, faster kind of memory card called microSD Express. Here's what that means, what to look for when buying one and how much storage makes sense.

What is microSD Express?

microSD Express is part of the SD Association's SD 7.1 specification, announced in February 2019. It looks like any other microSD card, but it adds a second interface: PCI Express (PCIe 3.1, one lane) with the NVMe protocol, the same kind of technology used in modern SSDs.

The result is a much higher ceiling. The SD Association quotes a theoretical maximum of 985 MB/s. For comparison, the UHS-I bus used by almost all regular microSD cards tops out at 104 MB/s. Real cards are slower than the theoretical limit, but still several times faster than a typical UHS-I card. That matters for a console loading big open-world games straight from the card.

Cards keep the old UHS-I interface too, so a microSD Express card still works in a phone, camera or card reader that doesn't support Express. It just runs at UHS-I speed there.

How to tell if a card is microSD Express

Look for the word "Express" and the "EX" mark on the card or its packaging. Speed markings like "U3", "V30" or "A2" alone don't mean a card is Express. Those describe UHS-I cards, which Switch 2 rejects for game storage. On the back, Express cards have a second row of contacts.

microSD vs microSD Express

Why Switch 2 only accepts Express cards

Nintendo says the faster cards are needed "to ensure games will run smoothly". Switch 2 games are bigger and more demanding than Switch 1 titles, and the console treats the card almost like a second internal drive.

According to Nintendo's microSD Express FAQ, regular microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards can't be used for games, save data, screenshots or videos on Switch 2. The one exception: if you have screenshots and videos from an original Switch on an old card, you can import them into the Switch 2's system memory.

What goes on the card (and what doesn't)

On Switch 2, a microSD Express card can hold:

• downloaded games (it becomes the default install location as soon as it's inserted)
• software updates and DLC
• screenshots and captured videos

Save data never goes on the card. It always stays in the console's system memory, so swapping cards won't touch your progress.

How much storage do you need?

Switch 2 comes with 256 GB of built-in storage, and part of that is reserved for the system. How quickly it fills depends on how you buy games:

• Mostly physical cards: you may manage without a memory card for a while, although some games still download updates or extra data (see why Nintendo still backs physical games).
• A mix of physical and digital: a 256 GB card roughly doubles your space and suits most players.
• Mostly digital: consider 512 GB or 1 TB. Big new games can be large on their own. The Ocarina of Time remake, for example, lists an estimated 27 GB download.

Nintendo recommends sticking to one card and moving to a bigger one when it fills up. Games saved across several cards can't be combined onto a single card later. So it's usually cheaper in the long run to buy more capacity up front.

Buying tips

• Check for "Express" in the product name. Many listings mention Switch compatibility while selling ordinary UHS-I cards.
• Buy from reputable sellers. Fake cards that report more capacity than they really have are common online. On a PC you can check a new card with free tools such as H2testw (Windows) or F3 (Linux/macOS).
• You'll need an Express-capable reader for full speed on a computer. Ordinary readers still work, at UHS-I speed.
• Any brand that meets the standard works. Cards with official Nintendo branding are an option, not a requirement.

Moving screenshots to a PC

You can copy screenshots and videos to a computer over a USB-C cable from System Settings → Data Management → Manage Screenshots and Videos. You can also read the card directly and copy the Nintendo/Album folder. Nintendo notes that the card-reader method may not work properly on non-Windows systems such as macOS. Playing on a big screen? Our gaming monitor guide explains what to look for.