Buzz
The newest Nintendo Switch update, version 11.0.0, has streamlined the process of moving screenshots and gameplay clips to your PC or smartphone. This new system is a vast improvement over the previous methods, such as the clunky post-to-social-media-and-delete hack or the inconvenient search-for-a-microSD-card-reader solution.
Steps to Transfer Switch Screenshots to Your Mobile Device
Unfortunately, the Switch disables the screenshot function during the transfer process, so we can’t provide a visual of the new menu. However, the instructions are straightforward and easy to follow.
Navigate to the “Album” icon on the Switch’s home screen.
On the Album screen, choose a screenshot or video and press the A button to access the “Sharing and Editing” options.
When prompted, choose “Send to smartphone” as your sharing method.
Decide between “Only this one” for a single screenshot or “Send a Batch” to transfer up to ten screenshots at once.
Scan the QR code displayed on the Switch screen using your smartphone’s camera app to establish a wifi connection between the devices.
Scan a second QR code to initiate the file transfer to your phone.
Wait for the download page to load on your phone’s browser. The files will download automatically once ready.
Click “End” on the Switch to exit the sharing tool.
Repeat the process for additional screenshots or videos.
Note: Avoid letting your smartphone’s screen lock or your Switch go into sleep mode, as this will disrupt the connection and require you to restart the process. (This was a lesson learned through experience.)
Transferring Switch Screenshots to Your PC
While transferring Switch screenshots to your smartphone can be tedious, especially when compared to the seamless sharing features of Xbox and PlayStation, you can also move screenshots and gameplay videos to your PC without any transfer restrictions.
Connect your Switch to your PC using a USB-C cable (the one from the charging dock works fine).
Access the Switch’s system settings and navigate to Data Management > Manage Screenshots and Videos.
Scroll down and choose “ to a Computer via USB,” then wait for your PC to detect the console.
On your computer, open the file explorer and locate Nintendo Switch > Album. and move the desired files.
Once finished, click “Disconnect” on the Switch’s screen.
Files transferred via USB or wifi will remain on your Switch unless manually deleted. To free up storage space, use the console’s data management menu to remove files after transferring them to another device.
