How to Delete All Content and Settings on Nintendo Switch
Instructions on how to format a Nintendo Switch console and delete all settings.
Important:
- For consoles with system menu version 10.0.0 or higher, this process takes approximately five minutes to complete.
- Please review the information about what will be lost when you delete all data from the console. Deleted data cannot be recovered.
- If you would only like to delete certain data, you can use the Data Management section of the System Settings.
- An internet connection is recommended to format the console.
- Any associated Nintendo Accounts will still exist after the console is formatted, and can be re-linked to a Nintendo Switch console and/or managed through http://accounts.nintendo.com.
Complete these steps
- Open System Settings on the HOME Menu.
- Scroll down to System and select it.
- Scroll all the way down to the bottom of the menu, then select Formatting Options.
- If a Parental Controls PIN has been set for the console, you will be prompted to enter it to proceed. (Forgot PIN?)
- Select Restore Factory Settings to delete all data in the system memory.
- Read through the information on the screen, then select Next to continue.
- Not connected to the internet
The console will attempt to connect to the internet to unlink any Nintendo Accounts from the console.
- Select Next.
- Select Cancel.
- Select Continue.
- Not connected to the internet
- Select Restore Factory Settings to complete the process.