Switch 2 microSD Express cards: what works and what does not
By Daniel del Moral Hernández · Updated September 23, 2026
The Nintendo Switch 2 can only store games and save data on microSD Express cards. The ordinary microSD cards used by the original Switch will not work for games, even if they are fast or large.
What each type of card can do on Switch 2
| Card | Games and save data | Screenshots and videos |
|---|---|---|
| microSD Express | Yes, up to 2 TB | Yes |
| Regular microSD (from a Switch 1) | No | Only loading old Switch screenshots and videos |
How to recognise a microSD Express card
Look for the microSD EX logo on the card or its packaging. Many cards are also sold as “for Nintendo Switch 2”, but the EX logo is what matters. A card without it is a regular microSD card, whatever its speed class.
What size to buy
The Switch 2 already has 256 GB of internal storage, and part of that is taken by the system. Whether you need a card depends on how many large games you keep installed at once:
- Many Nintendo games take between 5 and 25 GB.
- Large third-party games can take from 40 GB to more than 70 GB each. See the biggest Switch 2 games.
- Game-Key Card releases also need the full download, so they take the same space as a digital copy.
The quickest way to decide is the storage calculator: tick the games you want installed and try each card size.
Source: Nintendo Support: microSD card and microSD Express card compatibility.