How to Archive Software on Nintendo Switch to Save Space

Managing storage on your Nintendo Switch is essential for digital gamers who download multiple titles. This guide explains how to archive software to free up space without deleting your save data, ensuring you can reinstall games later while keeping your progress intact.

Understanding Archiving vs. Deleting

It is crucial to understand the difference between archiving and deleting software on the Switch. When you delete software, you remove the game application, but your save data usually remains separate. However, archiving is specifically designed to remove the game files to reclaim storage space while preserving the icon on your home menu. This makes it easier to identify what you own and allows for quicker redownloading when you have space available again. Most importantly, archiving never touches your save data, so your progress remains safe.

Method 1: Archiving from the Home Menu

The quickest way to archive a game is directly from the home screen. Navigate to the game you wish to archive and highlight its icon. Press the Plus button on your right Joy-Con to open the options menu. Select Manage Software from the list that appears on the right side of the screen. Choose Archive Software and confirm your selection when prompted. The game will disappear from your storage, but the icon will remain on your home menu with a small download arrow indicating it is archived.

Method 2: Archiving via System Settings

You can also manage storage globally through the system settings. Go to the Home Menu and select System Settings. Scroll down to Data Management and select Manage Software. Here you will see a list of all installed titles sorted by size. Select the game you want to remove and choose Archive Software. This method is particularly useful if you need to see exactly how much space each title occupies before deciding what to remove.

Redownloading Archived Software

When you are ready to play an archived game again, simply select its icon on the home menu. If your console is connected to the internet, you can download the software again from the Nintendo eShop. Your save data will still be present on the console or in the cloud if you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, allowing you to resume exactly where you left off. This cycle of archiving and redownloading allows you to maintain a large library despite the limited internal storage of the device.