2 Easy Ways to Manage or Delete Save Data on Nintendo Switch

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Free up space by deleting game data

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: December 30, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Deleting Save Data
|
• Using Factory Reset
|
• Video

|Show more |Show less

The save data on your Nintendo Switch includes your games' progress and saves. You may want to delete save data if you've finished a few games and want to clear up some space. Keep in mind this will reset the game to 0% progress, as if brand new. Here's how to delete save data on a Nintendo Switch.

Quick Steps

1. Select System Settings.
2. Select Data Management.
3. Select Delete Save Data.
4. Select the game.
5. Select Delete All Save Data for this Software.
6. Select Delete Save Data.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Deleting Save Data

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1. 
   1
   Select System Settings. This is the cog icon.

   • If you aren't already on the Home menu, navigate there first.
   • You can delete save data to clear up space on your Nintendo Switch. This won't delete the game itself, but it will delete all of your data associated with the game.
2. 
   2
   Select Data Management. This is in the left panel.
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3. 
   3
   Select Delete Save Data. If you have parental controls on your device, you'll be asked to enter a PIN.
4. 
   4
   Select the game you want to delete. Keep in mind that deleted save data cannot be recovered. Make sure it's the correct game.
5. 
   5
   Select Delete All Save Data for this Software. If you have more than one user on your Switch, select the user with the save data you want to delete.
6. 
   6
   Select Delete Save Data. The save data for the selected game will be permanently deleted.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Factory Reset

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1. 
   1
   Select System Settings. This is the cog icon.

   • If you aren't already on the Home menu, navigate there now.
   • A factory reset will erase all content and data on your Switch. Use this method if you want to erase everything on your Switch rather than just a few games.
2. 
   2
   Select System. This is at the very bottom.
3. 
   3
   Select Formatting Options. If you have parental controls on your device, you'll be asked to enter a PIN.
4. 
   4
   Select Initialize Console. This will delete everything on your Nintendo Switch, including software, screenshots, user information, save data, and more.

   • If there's anything you want to keep, you can use the Save Data Cloud service. This requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership.
5. 
   5
   Select Next. You'll see information about everything that will be deleted.
6. 
   6
   Select Initialize. Your Switch will erase and reset. This process may take up to five minutes.
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