Nintendo Switch 2 owners who report losing their Pokémon save data are strongly advising fellow players to utilize the Pokémon Home storage app before starting up their new console and performing a system transfer.
A Reddit thread describes one player’s experience moving data from their original Switch to the Switch 2, only to discover their Pokémon Scarlet save file had disappeared. Other users in the discussion shared similar problems, and an IGN staff member also encountered the same issue.
The Reddit post by user ThatOtaku26 states their save contained over 1,000 hours of gameplay and Pokémon collected across more than 20 years—including creatures transferred from earlier titles like Pokémon Leaf Green and Pokémon Diamond on Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance.
For dedicated Pokémon fans, save files carry immense sentimental value—many include creatures carried over through multiple game generations, some dating back years. Compounding the issue, Pokémon games on Nintendo Switch are among the few titles that do not support the system’s built-in cloud save backup, which is available to Nintendo Switch Online subscribers. Specifically, Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee and Pikachu, Pokémon Legends: Arceus, Pokémon Sword and Shield, and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet all lack cloud save compatibility.
Thankfully, the Pokémon series offers its own cloud-based solution through the Pokémon Home app, which includes a subscription plan for users needing to store more than 30 Pokémon. This app is now being recommended by fans who want to ensure their Pokémon collections remain intact when moving to the Switch 2.
"I just got a Switch 2, completed the setup and data transfer without any issues," ThatOtaku26 explained. "But my Scarlet save file is gone. It just loads into the language selection and character creation screens. The data is completely gone from my OLED model too. Everything is lost."
"THERE WASN’T ANY ERROR DURING THE TRANSFER," they emphasized. "THE PROCESS SEEMED FINE. ALL MY OTHER POKÉMON DATA IS STILL THERE, EXCEPT FOR SCARLET. I had Pokémon transferred all the way from my original GBA up to now—literally 20 years of memories. There's nothing I can do. I'm not even sure I want to keep playing."
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Many fans expressed sympathy and confirmed they had faced comparable situations.
"The exact same thing happened when I transferred from my first-generation Switch to the OLED model," wrote Grouchy-Cress-215. "I cried when it happened."
"I experienced this too, but in my case nearly all my save data disappeared—games like BOTW, TOTK, MK8, Pokémon Sword and Shield, Scarlet and Violet, and many others," added Existing-Possible550. "Now I have to restart everything from scratch."
Several players commented that, although such incidents may be rare, backing up valuable Pokémon via Pokémon Home is essential for peace of mind.
"I'm so worried about this that I’m sending all my Pokémon to Home before I even attempt the console transfer," shared Mexican_Chef4307.
"If I get a Switch 2 someday, I’ll move every Pokémon I have into Home before doing any data migration," added TheJannikku. "I can’t imagine how I’d cope if this happened to me."
However, not everyone responded with understanding.
"Not going to lie, the fact that you didn’t transfer your important Pokémon to Home first is on you," stated IAmTheWire. "We’ve known for a long time that this is the only surefire way to protect your Pokémon in cases like this, or if your old Switch stops working. Otherwise they’re lost forever. I would have done it just to be safe—it’s obvious and simple enough to move them back if anything goes wrong."
The Nintendo Switch 2 launched earlier this month and sold 3.5 million units in its first four days. Its launch sales doubled those of the original Switch, though the first console experienced significant supply constraints at launch.
