Before buying a microSD card, consider how it compares to other storage options. This article evaluates all available approaches to Switch storage expansion.
Storage Options Compared
microSD Card (Recommended)
- Capacity: 64GB–2TB
- Cost: $10–$150
- Setup: Insert and go
- Read Speed: 60–170MB/s
- Pros: Affordable, portable, easy to swap
- Cons: Slower than internal storage for some access patterns
USB Flash Drive (Not Supported)
The Switch’s dock has USB ports, but they cannot be used for game storage. USB drives work only for exporting screenshots and videos. Do not buy a USB drive expecting to store games on it.
External SSD (Not Supported)
Same limitation as USB flash drives. The Switch does not support external SSDs for game data.
Physical Game Cartridges
Buying physical cartridges instead of digital downloads saves internal storage. Each cartridge contains the full game and does not require 설치. However, you must carry and swap cartridges, and some games are digital-only.
Managing Internal Storage Only
If you want to avoid buying a microSD card, you can manage storage by:
- Deleting games you are not currently playing (save data is preserved)
- Buying physical cartridges for large games
- Regularly exporting screenshots to free up space
Decision Matrix
| Need | Best Solution |
|---|---|
| Store many digital games | microSD card |
| Save screenshots and video | microSD card |
| Avoid carrying cartridges | microSD card |
| Save money on accessories | Manage internal storage |
| Quick temporary storage | Physical cartridges |
Summary
The microSD card remains the only viable storage expansion option for the Switch. USB and external storage are not supported for games. For most users, a 128GB or 256GB microSD card is the most practical and cost-effective solution.