The Nintendo Switch can be connected to an external hard drive using the USB 3.0 port on the dock or the USB-C port on the console itself. When connecting an external hard drive, it must be formatted to FAT32 or exFAT in order for the Switch to read it.
Once formatted, simply connect the hard drive and select “Data Management” from the System Settings menu on the Switch.
From there, you can choose which games and applications to move to your external storage.
- Turn off your Nintendo Switch console and disconnect any Joy-Cons or other controllers
- Locate the USB 3
- 0 port on the top of the Switch dock and plug in your external hard drive
- Turn on your Switch console
- Your external hard drive should be recognized and will now appear as a storage option when selecting games to play
- Select the game you want to play from the main menu, then choose “Change Storage Device” from the options menu that appears
- Choose your external hard drive as the storage device for your game, then select “OK” to confirm the choice
How Do I Connect an External Hard Drive to My Nintendo Switch
One of the great features of the Nintendo Switch is its portability. You can take your games with you wherever you go, and even play them on a TV when you’re at home. But what if you want to expand your storage space?
An external hard drive is the perfect solution.
Here’s how to connect one to your Nintendo Switch:
- First, make sure that your external hard drive is compatible with the Nintendo Switch. It needs to use a USB 3.0 connection and have a capacity of 2TB or less.
- Turn off your Nintendo Switch and unplug it from the dock (if it’s connected).
- Insert your external hard drive into one of the USB ports on the side of the console. If you’re using a power adapter, plug it in now as well.
- Turn on your Nintendo Switch and select System Settings from the main menu.
Scroll down and select Data Management, then Manage Software, then Copy/Delete Software.
Select Yes when prompted whether you want to copy data from internal storage to an external device (your external hard drive). Once the process is complete, all of your games and save data will be stored on the external hard drive!
Nintendo Switch External Hard Drive Homebrew
Nintendo Switch External Hard Drive Homebrew One of the benefits of the Nintendo Switch is that it’s possible to connect an external hard drive to expand its storage. This means that you can easily add more games, and save data, and other content to your system without having to worry about running out of space.
However, did you know that it’s also possible to use an external hard drive for homebrew applications on the Nintendo Switch? In order to do this, you will first need to format your external hard drive to be compatible with the Nintendo Switch. This can be done using a computer and a special tool called “WUP Installer GX2”.
Once your external hard drive is formatted, you can then copy over any homebrew applications that you want to use on your Nintendo Switch. Keep in mind that not all homebrew applications are compatible with the Nintendo Switch, so make sure to check before trying to install anything.
Once you have everything set up, using homebrew applications on your Nintendo Switch is easy!
Simply connect your external hard drive and launch the desired application from the main menu. Homebrew apps can do everything from playing classic console games (via emulation) to backing up and managing save data. With so much potential, there’s no reason not to give it a try!
Conclusion
If you’re a Nintendo Switch owner, there’s a good chance you’ve been looking for ways to expand the console’s storage.
After all, the Switch only comes with 32GB of internal storage, and even less once you factor in the system software. Thankfully, it is possible to connect an external hard drive to the Switch.
Doing so will give you access to much more storage space, which is great for games, apps, and other content.
Here’s how to do it:
First, purchase an external hard drive that meets the requirements for the Nintendo Switch.
The hard drive must be USB 3.0 compatible and use either a microSD or USB Type-C port.
Next, format the hard drive using the exFAT file system. This can be done using your computer if it supports exFAT drives; otherwise, you’ll need to format the drive using a tool provided by the manufacturer.
Once formatted, connect the hard drive to one of the USB ports on your Switch dock using a compatible cable (sold separately).
Finally, launch System Settings from your Switch home screen and select “Data Management.” Select “Manage Software” followed by “Copy/Move Data.”
From here you can select which content you’d like to move from yourSwitch’s internal storage over to your external hard drive. Keep in mind that not all content can be moved; some games require additional data to be stored on your Switch’s internal storage in order for them to work properly With these steps completed, you should now have plenty of extra space on your Nintendo Switch thanks to your new external hard drive!
