SD cards for Switch 2 and other devices?

[retrospect]

The Nintendo-branded SD cards for Switch 2 use the microSD Express interface that's not compatible with most other equipment.

What SD cards are there that will work great with Switch 2 as well as other things (like action cameras, Everdrives, and 3DS consoles) that require SDXC?

 

[AshWeststar]

The Nintendo-branded SD cards for Switch 2 use a new interface technology that's not compatible with most other equipment.

microSD Express cards are backwards compatible with existing SD card readers, including those supporting UHS-I and UHS-II standards.

They utilise the same form factor as traditional microSD cards, allowing them to fit and function in older slots. However, performance is limited to UHS-I speeds in non-Express compatible readers.

This means you can read and write data on them using standard readers, but you will not achieve the full PCIe-based speeds without a compatible Express reader.

 

[retrospect]

Found one. It's expensive.

https://americas.lexar.com/product/lexar-play-pro-microsdxc-express-card/

Post automatically merged: Jul 17, 2025

Found a cheaper one:

https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb...s/sandisk-128gb-microsd-express-card/p/250264

Post automatically merged: Jul 17, 2025

microSD Express cards are backwards compatible with existing SD card readers...

Oh really? I had read that they generally aren't. Perhaps I was misinformed.

Post automatically merged: Jul 17, 2025

Yep, you're right. All the Express ones should work with SDXC equipment

 

[sexually_inactive]

But in practice you won't bother taking your SD card out your Switch 2 every time you want to use your camera or 3DS. Non-express micro SD cards are super cheap. You could just wait a year before buying a micro SD express card, they're expensive and given the Switch 2 comes with about 230GB of free space you probably don't need one yet. You can just keep a few games you play frequently in the internal storage.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

The Nintendo-branded SD cards for Switch 2 use the microSD Express interface that's not compatible with most other equipment.

What SD cards are there that will work great with Switch 2 as well as other things (like action cameras, Everdrives, and 3DS consoles) that require SDXC?

Like others have said, MicroSD Express is backwards compatible. And the Switch 2 really needs MicroSD Express. It'll only work with non-Express cards for photo transfer (screenshots) and the games are designed for higher read speeds so even if it did work it would work poorly.

FWIW, MicroSD Express cards are still super expensive. I'd give it a year or two for prices to come down to a reasonable level.

 

[retrospect]

Like others have said, MicroSD Express is backwards compatible. And the Switch 2 really needs MicroSD Express. It'll only work with non-Express cards for photo transfer (screenshots) and the games are designed for higher read speeds so even if it did work it would work poorly.

Does it have a second slot for storing Switch-1 games? I'm not seeing anything about this online. Surely Nintendo isn't expecting people to pay SD Express prices for their old games?

 

[Hayato213]

Does it have a second slot for storing Switch-1 games? I'm not seeing anything about this online. Surely Nintendo isn't expecting people to pay SD Express prices for their old games?

No second slot

 

[retrospect]

No second slot

Oh. So will a regular SDXC work for Switch-1 games?

 

[Marc_LFD]

Does it have a second slot for storing Switch-1 games? I'm not seeing anything about this online. Surely Nintendo isn't expecting people to pay SD Express prices for their old games?

They're not expecting you, but if you want extra storage you'll pay up and that's it. One single slot for an Express mSD.

 

[Hayato213]

Oh. So will a regular SDXC work for Switch-1 games?

No , switch 2 requires sd express

 

[Ondrashek06]

Oh. So will a regular SDXC work for Switch-1 games?

No, and I tried. The only time a Switch 2 console accepts a normal microSD is during the Switch 1 transfer process, to transfer photos and videos.

Putting a normal microSD in after initial setup just opens a message that you need an Express card.

I think that Nintendo should consider supporting normal SD in "limited mode" where you can store Switch 1 games on them and restrict the Switch 2 ones to the NAND.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

No, and I tried. The only time a Switch 2 console accepts a normal microSD is during the Switch 1 transfer process, to transfer photos and videos.

Putting a normal microSD in after initial setup just opens a message that you need an Express card.

I think that Nintendo should consider supporting normal SD in "limited mode" where you can store Switch 1 games on them and restrict the Switch 2 ones to the NAND.

That would've been useful, but I can understand why they didn't. Improved load times are a selling point of the Switch 2. Plus the Switch 2 editions wouldn't be compatible with it. You don't want people going out and buying MicroSD cards and later complaining when they buy the Switch 2 edition upgrades or their Switch 2 games don't work with it. They have to make it clear from the get go that MicroSD Express cards are what you need to avoid confusion as much as possible.
I'm kind of okay with it since it has 256 GB internal which seems sufficient for a lot of Switch games. I just hope Express cards go down in price soon.

 

[Marc_LFD]

No, and I tried. The only time a Switch 2 console accepts a normal microSD is during the Switch 1 transfer process, to transfer photos and videos.

Putting a normal microSD in after initial setup just opens a message that you need an Express card.

I think that Nintendo should consider supporting normal SD in "limited mode" where you can store Switch 1 games on them and restrict the Switch 2 ones to the NAND.

It's a good idea, but kind of outdated. A bit like using SSDs and then go back to HDDs... No, thanks.

Nintendo knows that customers want games to load faster and Express SD is their answer to it.