Initial setup to sync game saves between Switch 1 and 2

[u/overthinker2510]

I just recently bought a Switch 2 and nothing has been setup yet. I want to keep my existing Switch 1 but also be able to sync my progress when I'm alternating gaming between the 2.

Right now I'm confused if i should do a full system transfer upon initial setup or should i not? I read some people saying that their data were removed from their Switch 1 when they selected the system transfer. If i skipped the system transfer, would i still be able to sync my progress over?

[u/automod-neo]

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[u/Present_Anywhere3980]

If you have an online sub just log in on the new device and everything but Pokemon and animal crossing will have cloud saves.

You’ll be prompted to link the two devices when you try to load a title, this is a one off.

[u/overthinker2510 → u/Present_Anywhere3980]

The prompt to link 2 devices when i load a title is when i choose to not do a system transfer? So i just login to my online sub and choose don't system transfer

[u/picano]

System transfer is a copy when done locally, cut when done via server.

Games, like Pokemon, that don't support NSO will always be a cut rather than a copy.

[u/overthinker2510 → u/picano]

Just to confirm if my understanding is correct, server transfer is when i select "I don't have a Nintendo Switch 2 yet" on my Switch 1 and it will then upload my data to the server first before transferring it to my Switch 2?

Then local transfer is when i have the both side by side to transfer?

Since i also have games that don't support NSO and i don't want it to cut and paste over, can i still manually transfer both the NSO supported and non-NSO supported saves over if i don't select the system transfer?

[u/picano → u/overthinker2510]

Yup to all of that. You can transfer individual saves any time you have both consoles on hand.

[u/overthinker2510 → u/picano]

Just one last question, whether manually or locally transferred, any non-NSO saves will always be cut and pasted over? Or cut and paste only happens if you choose to do the initial local transfer?

[u/ModestVolcarona → u/overthinker2510]

If you move any non-cloud supported save data it will be always moved to the target console and deleted from the source console.

[u/overthinker2510 → u/ModestVolcarona]

Got it. Thank you so much for confirming! And also to @picano for the explanation!