What You Need to Know Before Performing a New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 3DS XL Transfer

Applies to:  New Nintendo 3DS, New Nintendo 3DS XL, New Nintendo 2DS XL, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, Nintendo 2DS

Note
  • Do not create a Nintendo Network ID (NNID) on your New Nintendo 3DS family system before performing a system transfer as it will be overwritten with the NNID on your current system when performing a transfer.
  • You must have both systems on hand to perform a system transfer.
  • If the Joy-Con controllers were not previously attached to the console, they must first be registered to the console in order to be utilized as wireless controllers.
  • The way in which you will perform a system transfer from a Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, or Nintendo 2DS to a New Nintendo 3DS family system will depend on the type and size of the SD card you are currently using in your system.
  • Pre-installed games, such as Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, will be available to redownload from the Nintendo eShop on the target system after the system transfer has been completed.

What to do

The SD card is inserted into the side of the hardware (left side on the Nintendo 3DS, right side on the Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS). Eject the SD card by pressing it in until you hear a click, then sliding it out. Make sure the system is powered off before removing the SD card.

  1. What is the type and size of your SD card?

  2. If you are already using a microSD card with your current system, then you will be able to physically move your current microSD card to the new system. In order to do this, you will need to use a size #0 cross-head (+) screwdriver to remove the battery cover of the New Nintendo 3DS family system, so be sure to have one handy before you attempt to transfer your content.

    If you are currently using an SD card that is 4 GB or smaller in size, then you will be able to transfer all of your current content to your New Nintendo 3DS family system via a local wireless connection. This process may take up to two hours.

    Along with your downloaded content and save data, your NNID (if one is being used), friends list, Nintendo eShop balance, and purchase history (including themes) will be transferred to the new system.

    If your current SD card is larger than 4 GB, then you will need to use one of the following options when you perform a transfer:

    • Purchase a higher capacity microSD card
      • With this method, you can preemptively transfer your content to a microSD card before you purchase a New Nintendo 3DS family system by using a PC or you can upgrade the microSD card in a New Nintendo 3DS family system before performing a transfer.
        • Be aware that you will need a microSD card adapter to use the microSD card with a Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, or Nintendo 2DS.
        • You will need to use a size #0 cross-head (+) screwdriver to remove the battery cover of the New Nintendo 3DS or New Nintendo 3DS XL, so be sure to have one handy before you attempt to replace the microSD card.
      • You may find our information on what SD Cards and microSD Cards are compatible with the Nintendo 3DS family of systems helpful.
    • Transfer save data only using the microSD card included with the New Nintendo 3DS family system
      • If your current data will not fit on the microSD card included with the system, you will only be able to transfer save data during the system transfer process. After the process is done, you can download your data from the Nintendo eShop for no additional cost. Once downloaded, your save data will be restored for each game.
      • Along with your save data, your NNID (if one is being used), friends list, Nintendo eShop balance, and purchase history (including themes) will be transferred to the new system. Non-game content stored on the SD card, such as pictures, will also be transferred.

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Language: EN
System: 3DS
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