Guide: How Do Nintendo Switch 2 Virtual Game Cards Work?
By Physical games are remarkably practical, wouldn’t you agree? Sure, the necessity of manually swapping your Switch cartridges each time you desire to play a different title is less than ideal, but physical games enable you to transition between consoles effortlessly and share your games with family and friends.
Digital games weren’t always so accommodating, but on April 30, 2025, Nintendo launched a Switch update that introduced Nintendo Virtual Game Cards, GameShare, among other enhancements.
Virtual Game Cards permit you to transfer digital games between various Switch systems — including Switch 2 — and share them. This guide will elucidate how this process works and address several common inquiries.
Functionality of Virtual Game Cards
Games downloaded through the Nintendo Switch eShop will automatically transform into a Virtual Game Card. Similarly, your entire digital collection can be viewed as Virtual Game Cards through the dedicated application.
You can effectively ‘load’ and ‘eject’ virtual game cards from your Nintendo Switch at your convenience.
Just like your main game collection, you can arrange your Virtual Game Card collection by ‘newest first’, ‘oldest first’, alphabetically, and more.
Transferring Virtual Game Cards to a different Switch
If you possess two Switch consoles, you can eject a Virtual Game Card from the first and load it onto the second. An internet connection is essential for this process, and you will also need a local connection the first time you ‘pair’ the two consoles.
First, ensure both consoles are nearby and follow the instructions on both to establish the connection.
There’s no need to manually ‘eject’ a game from one console for it to transfer to another. Simply select the game you wish to play from your list of Virtual Game Cards, and the system will automatically ‘eject’ the game from the source Switch while loading it onto the target Switch.
Do note that you won’t be able to use that game on the source Switch once it has been ejected and transferred to the second Switch.
This effectively mimics the functionality of a physical Switch cartridge. However, every individual user registered on either Switch can play without an internet connection.
Playing one game on two distinct Switch consoles
Whether you’ve ejected the game onto another device or lent it to a Family Group member, you cannot officially play the same game simultaneously on two consoles.
However, a workaround allows you to use the same game on two Switches. To activate this, navigate to the ‘User’ section in the System Settings and select your profile. Then, scroll down to Online License Settings and enable it.
This setting allows you to play digital games while connected to the internet, even if the associated Virtual Game Card is active on another console.
While it may be complicated, the essence is this: If you transfer a game from Switch A to Switch B, only Switch B can play it while both devices are online. However, by enabling the Online Licenses feature on Switch A and disconnecting Switch B from the internet, Switch A can also access the game.
Disconnecting Switch B prevents Switch A from verifying whether another device is actively using the game, thereby permitting play across two systems.
While it’s not a flawless solution, it serves its purpose. Sadly, multiplayer with the same copy of a game online remains unfeasible.
Lending and borrowing Switch Games
With Virtual Game Cards, you can easily exchange digital games with family and friends within your Family Group, which accommodates up to 8 users.
Switch games can be borrowed or lent for 14 days (or sooner if returned manually) before requiring a new lending process.
To begin, select the game you wish to lend via the Virtual Game Card menu.
Next, choose ‘Lend to Family Group member’ and click ‘Select a User to Lend To’.
You will be presented with a list of users within your Family Group. Choose the recipient, who will then need to open the Virtual Game Card app and opt for the corresponding user.
The game will subsequently transfer from your Switch to the Family Group member’s Switch. Voila!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I add members to my Family Group?
Adding users directly on your Switch console is not possible. Instead, visit accounts.nintendo.com/family to make changes.
Input the email associated with the Nintendo account you wish to add. An invitation will then be dispatched, which the user must accept to join your Family Group.
How do I move save data?
For games that lack cloud save support (or all games if you’re not subscribed to Nintendo Switch Online), you’ll need to manually transfer the save data to a ‘nearby’ Switch. Note that you are transferring, not copying; the data will be removed from the original system.
This process mirrors the cloud save method for moving save data between the same Nintendo Account across two systems (note: it is important to use the same account), although you must repeat it every time you switch devices, and an internet connection is required.
On the ‘source’ Switch…
- From the Home Menu of the Switch you’re finishing with, navigate to ‘System Settings’, then ‘Data Management’. Tap ‘Transfer Your Save Data’.
- Next, select ‘Send Save Data to Another Console’ and choose the correct account.
- Then, select the specific game save data you wish to transfer and choose ‘Send Save Data’. Remember, the data will be erased from the current Switch.
On the ‘target’ Switch…
- As you did on the ‘source’ system, access ‘System Settings’ from the Home menu, navigate to ‘Data Management’, and choose ‘Transfer Your Save Data’.
- This time, select ‘Receive Save Data’. A prompt will appear to overwrite existing save data for that account, so ensure it’s the desired action before proceeding.
How will Virtual Game Cards function with Nintendo Switch 2?
Currently, it’s presumed that all details relevant to the original Switch will extend to the Nintendo Switch 2. We will have confirmation when the Switch 2 debuts on 5th June 2025.
Essentially, while the Switch 2 will support digital Switch games, you must ‘transfer’ your Virtual Game Card from the original Switch to the Switch 2. This will make your game unplayable on the original Switch unless you revert the transfer.
Nonetheless, as many users possess extensive libraries on the Switch, there will also be an option to execute a full system transfer from the original Switch to Switch 2. We elaborate on this in the guide below:
Can I transfer Nintendo Switch 2 games to the original Switch?
No. Nintendo has clarified that Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive titles can solely be operated on Switch 2 consoles. This also includes ‘Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’ titles.
If I loan a game to a family member or friend, can I still use it?
Officially, no, but technically yes (refer to the Online Licenses option above).
Without that workaround, lending a game means you cannot play it during the 14-day loan period. Similar to physical cartridges, the game will be ‘taken off’ your console when given to a family member or friend.
After the 14-day duration, the game will automatically return to your device.
Can I lend a game multiple times?
While each user in the Family Group can lend only one game at a time, you can re-lend the game whenever you choose.
You will need to follow the same steps to lend the game through local connection, but once the 14-day lending period concludes, the game will return to your system, allowing you to do as you please with it.
Does this pertain to all Switch games, or merely first-party titles?
This applies to all digital titles on the Switch, whether first-party, third-party, indie, or any other type. Your entire collection is transformed into Virtual Game Cards.
According to the official Nintendo site, Virtual Game Cards may not work with certain demos or exclusive games for Nintendo Switch Online members.
How can I move my Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data between two Switch consoles?
Eight lengthy months after the game launched, transferring Animal Crossing: New Horizons island save data and residents between Switch consoles finally became feasible. Nintendo previously established a system for one-time save data recovery (for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers) in case of hardware malfunction, loss, or theft, but casual save data transfers between Switches were impossible.
Luckily, you can now download an Animal Crossing Island Transfer Tool from the Switch eShop and move your island to a different device. Refer to our guide for further details.
Prior to the Winter 2020 update, transferring your island to a new Switch, even after purchasing a brand new console and conducting a full system transfer, was not possible — it was frustrating!
Looking to transfer your Animal Crossing Island from Switch 1 to Switch 2? Nintendo has confirmed that the process will be straightforward and won’t require the island transfer tool. What a relief!
If there’s anything here that you feel we’ve overlooked, or if you have any inquiries, please reach out and we will ensure the article is updated accordingly.