Ambitious developers are already enjoying tinkering around with the new Nintendo Switch 2. NVNTLabs has put together a project that attempts to take advantage of the Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot's interface, and use a custom-made adapter to turn it into an M.2 drive slot. Theoretically, this would allow you to use a 2230 nvme drive instead of a MicroSD card.

This is possible because the Nintendo Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot supports the SD Express 7.1 standard, which exposes a true PCIe Gen3 x1 interface and utilizes the NVMe protocol for communication.

This adapter simply maps PCIe x1 from the Switch 2’s MicroSD Express slot to a standard M.2 2230 NVMe SSD. No protocol translation is required as the Switch 2 host controller handles everything.

So far, the SDEX2M2 is a work in progress, with NVNT having already created a dummy MicroSD and a layout for the PCB. They state that they're still testing it, and there's a chance that the M.2 drive might draw more power than the MicroSD slot can put out.

• Use at your own risk. We are not liable for any damage to your drive, Switch 2, or other devices.
• Only use low-voltage, low-power M.2 2230 NVMe drives.
• Do not use this in legacy MicroSD slots (e.g., original Nintendo Switch).
• This project is for accessibility/educational use only. No commercial or piracy use permitted.

Source

 

[linuxares]

Ok i'm stupid but can't you already use an ssd case put ssd in it and connect it over usb C? Does the switch simply except the ssd over the pci 3 like no software fckery?

Not sure if the Switch 2 even got support for external drivers at all.

 

[paulttt]

I don't see the point of this because isn't it going to stick out like a really, really sore thumb? given there's no physical covering for anything other than a MicroSD (Express) card?

You're THAT kind of person that probably saw the first automobile concept and said "what's the point in that, it only travels 10 miles".

This concept will likely lead to a 3d printed shell that would house the nvme (if successful) or some kind of internal mod.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

I'll be quite interested in this, if they can either figure out how to fit it internally, or somebody designs a replacement back shell that you could get printed in resin (for a smooth finish that looks more stock) that would accommodate an SSD (perhaps even a 2280 SSD), a thicker back shell could also allow for a bigger battery which would be a plus.

I'm not thrilled at the idea of paying for an overpriced MicroSD Express card and obviously there are other advantages to an SSD than just cost, durability being a big one. Paying hundreds of dollars for a SD card that I know isn't durable and won't last nearly as long as a SSD that costs a fraction of the price is a kick to the crotch.

I don't imagine there would be any issue as far as ban risks, I doubt Nintendo can even tell the difference between a MicroSD Express and a SSD. At the end of the day they're both just NVMe flash storage. They work differently under the hood because SSDs have much more complex controllers and usually integrated DRAM cache, but the console doesn't know or care about any of that.
It would be a rather dumb move from Nintendo to try to ban people for this anyway, as it doesn't require modifying the console or even opening it up, you could literally do it with just an external adapter even if that isn't the most practical way to do it.

Sooner or later some commercial product is going to show up that is literally an external enclosure that slots into the MicroSD slot. The commercial use disclaimer is going to do nothing to prevent this, because it's such a simple concept (literally just an adapter that converts pins from A to B) that anybody can claim they came up with it independently as long as they don't copy the board layout exactly.
I would be wary of using such a product, due to the possibility of damaging the MicroSD slot. An internal mod seems more long term reliable, as it ensures there is no unnecessary stress on the MicroSD slot. Anything that involves having something stick out of the slot could cause damage. Even if it screws in place or otherwise seems securely attached. The MicroSD board on the OG Switch is screwed in, but as we know, that wasn't sufficient to prevent the connector on the mainboard from being damaged.

Ok i'm stupid but can't you already use an ssd case put ssd in it and connect it over usb C? Does the switch simply except the ssd over the pci 3 like no software fckery?

External drives don't work on the Switch natively, so I doubt they would work on Switch 2. There isn't really any reason for Nintendo to support external drives and it could end up enabling exploits.

 

[The Catboy]

What is the fucking point then? If this turn out to be useful at the end, why would you prevent people from using it commercially? Doesn't even make sense considering it is licensed under GPL.

Every project worth their weight in salt puts a disclaimer like this in there. It’s just a CYA more than anything else.

 

[Skv0ra]

View attachment 510284​

Ambitious developers are already enjoying tinkering around with the new Nintendo Switch 2. NVNTLabs has put together a project that attempts to take advantage of the Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot's interface, and use a custom-made adapter to turn it into an M.2 drive slot. Theoretically, this would allow you to use a 2230 nvme drive instead of a MicroSD card.



So far, the SDEX2M2 is a work in progress, with NVNT having already created a dummy MicroSD and a layout for the PCB. They state that they're still testing it, and there's a chance that the M.2 drive might draw more power than the MicroSD slot can put out.



Source

'member very early PSP external SD adapters that would awkwardly mount to the back making it ridonkulous?

 

[vLTD]

This kind of reminds me of the project DragonInjector had eventual plans for, with a concept around being able to switch MicroSD cards on the fly, which is something this could potentially (re)introduce. I know I'm skipping a lot of steps to remind myself of that, but still interesting nonetheless

 

[Retrojunkies]

No laws designing your own custom storage, could easily make a SD adapter that it's cable feeds into a custom case.

Then from that case you can insert an m.2 plus have it powered externally if it needs more power that the SD adapter can give.

Be ideally TBF to have a custom shell case that could also act as an extra 2tb storage.

 

[BlusterBong]

This concept will likely lead to a 3d printed shell that would house the nvme (if successful) or some kind of internal mod.

literally could just 3d print a casing to attached it

No shit that would be the case, but until the sucessful internal mod, it's still going to stick the fuck out from the console itself and will very likely be restricted maximum of 2TB official maximum of the the SDXC standard as defined by the SD Association so until an actual hack that can actually do something significant, you're going to be limited by the how big the size of the SSD can be (especially if you don't want to risk getting console banned if Nintendo feels that stingy about it).

 

[xbmcuser]

NVME that means you could possibly add an eGPU, imagine using a Nvidia 5060 ti with Switch 2
When homebrew starts working expect a PS5 Emulator on the Switch 2 lol

Post automatically merged: Jun 10, 2025

NVME that means you could possibly add an eGPU, imagine using a Nvidia 5060 ti with Switch 2
When homebrew starts working expect a PS5 Emulator on the Switch 2 lol

 

[LoggerMan]

Ok i'm stupid but can't you already use an ssd case put ssd in it and connect it over usb C? Does the switch simply except the ssd over the pci 3 like no software fckery?

USB 3 is actually very slow, for SSDs anyway. Nintendo should have given us Thunderbolt ports really...

 

[AlamosIT]

View attachment 510284​

Ambitious developers are already enjoying tinkering around with the new Nintendo Switch 2. NVNTLabs has put together a project that attempts to take advantage of the Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot's interface, and use a custom-made adapter to turn it into an M.2 drive slot. Theoretically, this would allow you to use a 2230 nvme drive instead of a MicroSD card.



So far, the SDEX2M2 is a work in progress, with NVNT having already created a dummy MicroSD and a layout for the PCB. They state that they're still testing it, and there's a chance that the M.2 drive might draw more power than the MicroSD slot can put out.



Source

Hype for a retail version

 

[yoyoyo69]

But Nintendo doesn't own the SD standard, they literally can't do anything about something like this.

I agree, but they also don't own right stop many things they've been sue happy over.

You can guarantee Nintendo will "take action", as they always do. If they can't manipulate the legal process as they often have, they just drown you in legal processes and costs

 

[codezer0]

This would definitely be a way to curb the proprietary tax of microSDE, that's for sure.

That being said, I'm just not sure the improved speed (even at a theoretical max of 1GiB/s read/write) would matter for the majority of the Switch 2 library, let alone the Switch 1 games.

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

View attachment 510284​

Ambitious developers are already enjoying tinkering around with the new Nintendo Switch 2. NVNTLabs has put together a project that attempts to take advantage of the Switch 2's MicroSD Express slot's interface, and use a custom-made adapter to turn it into an M.2 drive slot. Theoretically, this would allow you to use a 2230 nvme drive instead of a MicroSD card.



So far, the SDEX2M2 is a work in progress, with NVNT having already created a dummy MicroSD and a layout for the PCB. They state that they're still testing it, and there's a chance that the M.2 drive might draw more power than the MicroSD slot can put out.



Source

These comments really show that nobody understands the fact that SD Express isn't some Nintendo owned proprietary media lol. It's just been a super niche format until now that lacks high demand until now.

 

[UltraAziz]

rn? definitely. tho no idea how much micro sd express cards will drop in price in the future, and if they'll become comparable in terms of price/storage, speed is also a factor but not necessarily the first thing people would want to do this mod for.

honestly seems unlikely because micro sd express' usage is very specific

Post automatically merged: Jun 10, 2025

These comments really show that nobody understands the fact that SD Express isn't some Nintendo owned proprietary media lol. It's just been a super niche format until now that lacks high demand until now.

can you blame them? I've never heard of this standard before nintendo started using it and most people are probably the same, I don't think I can even find one in my area lmao

 

[Marc_LFD]

Ok i'm stupid but can't you already use an ssd case put ssd in it and connect it over usb C? Does the switch simply except the ssd over the pci 3 like no software fckery?

Is it recognized as an SD card or USB-C external storage?

 

[Kubas_inko]

Assholes from Nintendo might brick your console if they'll detect it in logs. On the other hand, I'd love to see a court case against them exactly about this.

Only if you are in the US, mind you. The rest (or at least the majority) of the world did not get the EULA update.

 

[DeadSkullzJr]

MicroSD Express is literally as fast as SSDs now. This modification is useless and extremely impractical. Go back to the drawing board and actually come up with an idea that might be a proper benefit.

 

[Kubas_inko]

MicroSD Express is literally as fast as SSDs now. This modification is useless and extremely impractical. Go back to the drawing board and actually come up with an idea that might be a proper benefit.

MicroSD Express is relatively slow compared to any "modern" SSD. Even the cheapest PCIe 3.0 NVME SSDs were doing 1.6GB/s+, MicroSD Express is barely getting 1 GB/s.

 

[cearp]

Interesting but why?

I think m2 ssd is just an overall better technology that micro sd (express).
Not just read and write speeds, but the stability / longevity will be better too.

Lots of times people with small computers (like raspberry pi etc) will upgrade to some ssd storage instead of using the micro sd, as it's simply not as reliable for long term dependency.

I'm sure micro sd express is great compared to older micro sd versions, but still not as good as m2 ssd can be.

Let's be serious - we want as many people looking at switch 2 hardware as we can, so although this particular project may not feel important, it's still good for "the scene" and general switch 2 understanding.