We're entering the fifth anniversary of the Nintendo Switch, and Nintendo continues to update and improve the console's firmware. If you're a die-hard Nintendo fan or got the console early on, you probably already have a decent collection of digital games . In that case, you've almost certainly had to get a high-capacity microSD card. However, Nintendo hadn't yet offered the ability to organize your library, something we can finally do on our hybrid consoles. Today, we'll show you how to organize your games into folders and free up space on your console with these simple tricks.
Nintendo Switch now lets you bundle apps
Better late than never, as they say. The Nintendo Switch 14.0.0 update has brought the long-awaited feature of organizing games into folders . However, the Nintendo Switch home menu remains unchanged. The new feature is purely cosmetic. You still have to scroll to the last program on the Home screen and enter 'All Programs' to organize your library or launch titles you've already grouped into different categories.
The update itself feels a bit bittersweet. On the one hand, it's what many users were asking for, but on the other, it falls short. A simple shortcut from the main menu, so you don't have to scroll to the bottom of the list, would have been more than enough to make this feature perfect. Nevertheless, let's talk a little about this update and how we can organize our apps on Nintendo Switch.
How to create folders on Nintendo Switch
First, you'll need to make sure your Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, or Nintendo Switch OLED is running firmware version 14.0.0 or higher . To do this, go to 'System Settings' from the Nintendo Switch main menu, then to System > System Update. The current firmware version will be displayed under this heading. If it's not running the latest version, connect your Switch to the internet and perform a software update.
Once you've completed that step, go to the console's main menu and scroll to the bottom. Then follow these steps :
- Click on the optionAll investment programs' at the bottom of the Nintendo Switch Home menu.
- The entire list of programs that you have installed at the moment will appear. Press the 'L' button to access the new function 'Groups'.
- You will get a notice explaining in a simple way how this new system works. Give to 'Create a group' to continue.
- Select the programs or games you want to add to a group. If you have many apps installed on your console, use the magnifying glass that appears in the right sidebar. You can also press the 'R' button to organize the list in the way that is most comfortable for you: usage time, alphabetical...
- Once you have the programs, click on 'Continue' in the right sidebar or press the '+' button on your Nintendo Switch Joy-Con or controller.
- You can then sort the programs within the folder if you prefer. Select the app or game you want, press 'A' and move it to the position you want. Then, press 'A' again to fix its location. Once finished, click 'Continue' or press '+' on the remote.
- To finish, write the name of the group and accept to finish.
- Once you are done, you will return to the 'All Programs' menu and there will be no trace of the folder you created. You will have to press 'L' again to display all folders. If you want to create more folders, click '+' inside this section and repeat the whole process.
organize the groups
Once you have several different groups, you can sort them by going back to the groups menu and pressing 'Y'.
Another interesting feature is that you can put the same program or video game in multiple folders without any problem. For example, you can create a folder called 'Mario' where you include titles like Super Mario Odyssey , Mario Kart 8 Deluxe , or Super Mario Party . And then, you can create another folder called 'Multiplayer' where you can include the last two games again.
Add or remove items to a group
If you buy new games and want to add them to groups you've already created, go into a folder you've previously created and press the 'R' button on your controller to edit it. From this menu, you can add or remove games from the folder, reorganize them, and even rename the group.
Other ways to organize your console memory
New folders aren't the only way to organize your console. These others have been with the console since its inception, and are also an interesting way to free up memory on your console or speed up loading processes.
Move programs between internal memory and microSD
You can save some time loading games by optimizing your console's memory. Keep the games you use frequently on the main memory and move the ones you play only occasionally to the microSD card.
Another recommendation is to leave apps on internal storage (YouTube, Twitch, etc.). Doing this is very simple:
- Go to Console Settings > Data management.
- Click on the optionMove data between the console and a microSD card'.
- Select 'To microSD' or 'To console memory' depending on what interests you.
- Mark the titles you need and accept.
Archive games and apps
If you want to free up space on your console, either on the main memory or the microSD card, you can archive your games. They will be deleted from the console, but your save data will remain intact. Let's say you've grown tired of Super Mario Odyssey and are going to put it aside for a while. Well, do the following:
- Go to the app or game in question and press the button '-' of your command
- Go to 'Data management' within the new menu that will appear.
- Click on 'Delete the program'. The space will be freed up and you will be able to store new games on your console.
download again
If you want to play games you've deleted from your console again , it would be as simple as going back to the eShop and searching for them manually. However, there's an easier way to do it:
- Scroll to the bottom of the Nintendo Switch main menu game list.
- Go to 'All investment programs'.
- Move the cursor to the end of the list and enter the button with the eShop icon that says 'download again'.
- Select your user profile with which you bought the game you want to re-download.
- Select the game you want to reinstall on your console from the eShop list.