{"id":2704,"date":"2021-10-06T09:26:09","date_gmt":"2021-10-06T14:26:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/?p=2704"},"modified":"2022-03-03T10:41:39","modified_gmt":"2022-03-03T16:41:39","slug":"how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/","title":{"rendered":"How to factory reset a Nintendo Switch"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re strapped for cash or just have your eyes on something new, such as the new <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/buy\/used\/nintendo-switch-oled\">Nintendo Switch with an OLED display<\/a>, there are numerous reasons why you, or anyone else, may want to sell their used Nintendo Switch.<\/p>\n<p>When it comes time for you and your Nintendo Switch to part ways, we want to make sure you know exactly which steps are needed to make this transition as smooth as possible. In this post here, we\u2019ll walk you through everything you need to know &#8212; including transferring your game saves and performing a factory reset &#8212; to get your old Switch ready for its new owner.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0a0a0a;color:#0a0a0a\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/#Backup-and-transfer-your-Nintendo-Switch-game-saves\" >Backup and transfer your Nintendo Switch game saves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/#Factory-reset-your-Nintendo-Switch\" >Factory reset your Nintendo Switch<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/#How-to-restore-Nintendo-Switch-to-its-factory-settings\" >How to restore Nintendo Switch to its factory settings<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/#Everything-that-will-be-erased-during-a-factory-reset\" >Everything that will be erased during a factory reset:<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-factory-reset-nintendo-switch\/#Sell-your-Nintendo-Switch-on-Swappa\" >Sell your Nintendo Switch on Swappa<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Backup-and-transfer-your-Nintendo-Switch-game-saves\"><\/span>Backup and transfer your Nintendo Switch game saves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-Transfer.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2701 img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-Transfer-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Before you get to factory resetting your Nintendo Switch, you may want to consider transferring out all of your data first. Nintendo currently offers two ways to move your game saves to a new Nintendo Switch. One option is free, and the other will cost you a few bucks per month.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Option 1:<\/strong> The first option is the free option, and it allows Switch users to do a direct transfer from console to console. While this option won&#8217;t cost you any money, you will need to have both Switch consoles to make this happen.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Option 2:<\/strong> The second option is the one that will cost you a few bucks, and it involves signing up for the Nintendo Switch Online service. This option allows you to backup your game saves with Nintendo&#8217;s Save Data Cloud option. And then once backed up, they can be downloaded to your new Switch.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Of course, it should also be mentioned that, while option 2 isn&#8217;t free, there are other perks such as getting to play 100+ NES and Super NES games.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>You can check out Swappa&#8217;s &#8220;How to back up your Nintendo Switch game gaves&#8221; tutorial here: <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/how-to-backup-nintendo-switch-game-saves-to-cloud\/\"><strong>How to transfer your Nintendo Switch game saves<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Factory-reset-your-Nintendo-Switch\"><\/span>Factory reset your Nintendo Switch<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-Initialize-DSC03745.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2706 img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-Initialize-DSC03745-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When getting your Nintendo Switch ready to sell, by far the most important step is making sure all your user data has been erased, and wiped clean from the device.<\/p>\n<p>Deleting all your user information on the Nintendo Switch &#8212; otherwise known as performing a factory reset &#8212; is crucial to ensure the new owner doesn\u2019t have access to your Nintendo account and all the information therein. This should be done whenever you decide to sell, exchange, or dispose of your Nintendo Switch console.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s the big deal? Well, the last thing you want to see on your bank statement are charges for games someone else made on your account &#8212; not fun. Don\u2019t worry, performing a wipe, reset, or restoring a Nintendo Switch to its original factory settings is extremely easy.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How-to-restore-Nintendo-Switch-to-its-factory-settings\"><\/span>How to restore Nintendo Switch to its factory settings<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li>From the Home menu, open System Settings (gear icon).<\/li>\n<li>Select System from the side menu.<\/li>\n<li>Tap on Formatting Options.<\/li>\n<li>Select Restore Factory Settings.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Everything-that-will-be-erased-during-a-factory-reset\"><\/span>Everything that will be erased during a factory reset:<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Software data<\/li>\n<li>Save data<\/li>\n<li>Screenshots<\/li>\n<li>User information<\/li>\n<li>Nintendo Account link<\/li>\n<li>Registration of your console as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo Account (only when connected to the internet).<\/li>\n<li>All settings on the console<\/li>\n<li>All information records such as error history<\/li>\n<li>Game software\/data saved on a microSD card will no longer be usable (screenshots will be safe, however).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Sell-your-Nintendo-Switch-on-Swappa\"><\/span>Sell your Nintendo Switch on Swappa<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-DSC03735.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-2707 img-responsive\" src=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Nintendo_Switch-DSC03735-1024x522.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"522\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So you\u2019ve successfully gotten your Nintendo Switch ready for its new owner\u2026 now what? If you\u2019re looking to sell your Nintendo Switch online, you\u2019re already in the right place &#8212; Swappa, the <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/safety\">safest marketplace<\/a> to sell your gently used tech.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Our human-powered, community-driven marketplace not only ensures you get the best possible price for your hardware, and thanks to Swappa&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/fees\">fair fees<\/a>, more money stays in your pocket &#8212; right where it should be. To get started, all you have to do is hit up one of the links below to start saving some time and fattening up your wallet.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/sell\/gaming\/nintendo-switch\"><strong>Sell your Nintendo Switch<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/sell\/gaming\/search?category=games&amp;platform=nintendo-switch\"><strong>Sell your Nintendo Switch games<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/swappa.com\/sell\/gaming\/search?category=accessories&amp;platform=nintendo-switch\"><strong>Sell your Nintendo Switch accessories<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Whether you\u2019re strapped for cash or just have your eyes on something new, such as the new Nintendo Switch with an OLED display, there are numerous reasons why you, or anyone else, may want to sell their used Nintendo Switch. When it comes time for you and your Nintendo Switch to part ways, we want [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":2700,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"template-parts\/wpb-single-post.php","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[363,701,1008],"products":[818,938,1085],"class_list":["post-2704","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-gaming","tag-nintendo-switch","tag-nintendo-switch-lite","tag-nintendo-switch-oled-model","products-nintendo-switch","products-nintendo-switch-lite","products-nintendo-switch-oled"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2704","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2704"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2704\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26042,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2704\/revisions\/26042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2700"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2704"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2704"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2704"},{"taxonomy":"products","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swappa.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/products?post=2704"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}