Alex Ruben
How To Remove Games and Apps on Nintendo Switch 2
Reducing storage on your Nintendo Switch 2 is kinda essential if you’re running out of space or just want a cleaner system. Sometimes games or apps take up more room than expected, especially if you’re constantly downloading demos, updates, or trying heavy titles. This guide walks through the process of deleting unwanted software to free up room, so you won’t hit that annoying “not enough storage” warning. Basically, it’s all about navigating the Home Menu and digging into the System Settings—nothing too complicated, but yeah, a few steps to get there.
How to Remove Games and Apps from Nintendo Switch 2
Access the main screen and your profile
Power on your Switch and get to the Home Screen. If there are multiple user profiles, make sure you’re logged into the right one because your installed software and storage are linked to your profile. Sometimes, it feels like your Switch hides stuff just to make things confusing.
Open the system settings menu
Find the System Settings icon — it’s that gear icon at the bottom row. Tap on it. The menu is pretty extensive, but we only need the storage part here. Because of course, Nintendo likes to make things a little more convoluted than necessary.
Go to Data Management
Scroll down the left sidebar until you see Data Management. In there, you’ll see options related to your internal memory and microSD card if you use one. For uninstalling games, stick with Manage Software. This section shows every game and app installed on your device.
Pick the game or app you want to delete
Scroll through the list, find that space-hog or that game you no longer touch, and select it. For example, if you want to dump Mario Kart 8 Deluxe or an old demo, just click on it. Sometimes, the list gets cluttered, so take your time to find what you want gone.
Delete the software
Once you’ve chosen the game, hit Delete Software. You’ll get a prompt asking if you want to keep the icon on the Home Menu. If you want to totally remove it, uncheck Keep Icon on Home Menu. Confirm the deletion — easy as that. Be aware: deleting the software doesn’t delete your saved data unless you specifically delete it from the game options later. Usually, you get prompted if you want to delete saved data, too. Just keep that in mind.
Check that the game is gone
Go back to your Home Screen and make sure the icon is gone. That indicates storage freed and the game fully uninstalled. Occasionally, a restart helps if the icon sticks around briefly, but generally, it clears out quickly.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
Yeah, sometimes things don’t go smooth—corrupted data, updates blocking the uninstall, or a stuck icon. Here are a few quick things to try if stuff gets weird:
- Update your Switch: Make sure you’ve got the latest firmware. Old firmware can cause hiccups during uninstall.
- If your game refuses to delete or throws an error, try rebooting the console — sometimes, just turning it off completely and then on helps.
- Double-check if the game has any pending updates. Sometimes, updating or deleting a game requires the latest system patches.
- In some cases, deleting via the manage software menu doesn’t work because of system glitches. On those instances, a factory reset might be the last resort — but use that only if absolutely needed and after backing up save data.
Conclusion
Doing this isn’t rocket science, but a little patience helps. Managing your downloads regularly can prevent those storage issues from catching you off guard. Uninstalling games or apps you no longer use keeps the Switch running smoothly and frees up space for new adventures. Just remember to keep your console updated and watch out for those stubborn files or errors — they happen, but usually, a quick restart or software update fixes ‘em.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover deleted games?
Yep, if they were bought from the Nintendo eShop, just re-download from your account library anytime. No extra charge, technically just re-getting files you’ve already paid for.
What happens to my saved data when I delete a game?
Usually, the save files stay stored on the console unless you delete them separately. So, you can reinstall the game later without losing progress, but double-check in case you want to clear everything entirely.
How do I check how much space I’ve got left?
Head back into Data Management under System Settings. It shows your total and remaining storage, whether on the internal memory or microSD card. Just a quick peek to make sure you’ve got enough room for whatever you’re planning next.