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How to delete and reinstall games on the Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch review
Nate Barrett/Digital Trends

At this point in the console's life, you would have a hard time owning all the best Switch games, let alone playing them. There are a swath of party games, multiplayer games, and even a great selection of games for adults to pick from. As your library grows, storage space will become an issue -- especially with only 32GB of onboard storage.

Luckily, the Switch allows you to delete and reinstall games you’ve purchased on your Nintendo account whenever you want with no impact on the save data. Managing your Switch library is incredibly easy. Here’s how to delete and reinstall Nintendo Switch games. Alternatively, you can transfer your Switch data, which we have a guide for.

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Difficulty

Easy

Duration

10 minutes

What You Need

  • Nintendo Switch

  • Internet connection

  • MicroSD card (optional)

how to delete archive reinstall games nintendo switch select all software
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Deleting games and apps

Deleting software completely removes the game data from your Switch, along with the game’s icon. If your library is cluttered and you don’t anticipate playing that game again, this method is for you.

Step 1: Tap or select the All Software icon located on the right end of the game grid, as shown above. If you know the game you want to delete and have played it recently, you can just select it on the home screen.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: With a game now selected, tap or press the physical Options (+) button, then tap or select Manage Software (using the A button) listed on the pop-up screen.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 3: Scroll down and choose Delete Software. To confirm, tap or select Delete when prompted.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Archiving games (recommended)

The Switch has a secondary delete option called Archiving, which deletes a game’s data but leaves its icon in your library. While this clutters your library, we recommend archiving, rather than deleting, given how the Switch buries every purchased digital game deep into your Nintendo account.

Step 1: Tap or select the All Software icon located on the right end of the game grid, as shown above. If you know the game you want to delete and have played it recently, you can just select it on the home screen.

Step 2: With a game now selected, tap or press the physical Options (+) button, then tap or select Manage Software listed on the pop-up screen.

Step 3: Choose Archive Software. To confirm, tap or select Archive when prompted.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Reinstalling deleted games

Your entire digital game library is not listed on the console like it is on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, or Steam. To download games again, you’ll have to dig for them in your profile on the Nintendo eShop.

Step 1: Tap or select the Nintendo eShop icon.

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Step 2: Tap or select your account avatar located in the top-right corner.

how to delete archive reinstall games nintendo switch access downloads
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Step 3: Scroll down and tap or select Redownload to view your library of games not currently installed on the console.

how to delete archive reinstall games nintendo switch redownload
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Step 4: Tap or select the Cloud icon to the right of the game you want to install.

how to delete archive reinstall games nintendo switch install from cloud
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Unarchiving games

If you accidentally sent one of your games to the archive abyss, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we outline the steps you can take to retrieve your precious game.

Step 1: Find the All Software tab located on the home screen. You can also highlight the game you want to search for. When you see the game begin to download, a cloud symbol will pop up on your screen.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Once you choose your game, it will start downloading to your Switch. To confirm your choice, simply push the download button a second time.

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Keeping track of storage

It’s useful to make a note of the games in your library that use a majority of your storage capacity to help manage your limited storage space. Tracking them is pretty straightforward.

Step 1: Select System Settings.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 2: Along the left side of the screen, you’ll find Data Management. Tap that option.

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Step 3: You should now see the Manage Software feature. This tool catalogs, tracks, and groups your installed games to measure how much storage is used. Games are generally organized from the ones that use the most of space to those that use the least.

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Step 4: While looking at the list, you can choose to archive or delete a game to make some space.

Image used with permission by copyright holder
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s possible to archive multiple games at the same time. Users can click on Quick Archive under Data Management. By hovering your cursor over a game, you can see exactly when you last played it. It’s a helpful indicator of whether you frequently play the game and could help you decide if it’s best to delete it or not.

Steven Petite
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Steven is a writer from Northeast Ohio currently based in Louisiana. He writes about video games and books, and consumes…
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