Earlier this week Nintendo published a handy video guide to a New Nintendo 3DS organisation transfer, just equally promised we're providing a written equivalent that somewhat matches the pace of the procedure. Trust us, this'll take yous longer than iii and a one-half minutes, and we'll as well aim to cover off any gaps in the data that need to be taken into account.

Like the video we'll exist providing instructions for the best transfer option, that which uses a PC in the process. If completing a transfer wirelessly - which will accept many hours - the process is largely the same simply with tweaks after that step. We highly recommend the PC-based arroyo, all the same, even if you need to temporarily access 1 belonging to a friend, family unit member or particularly kindly neighbour. The main hassle, this time, is the transition from SD to micro-SDHC, areas we promise to cover off here.

Note: This guide is for a first transfer from an original 3DS to a fresh New Nintendo 3DS / XL. We'll post updated tips for New 3DS to New 3DS and whatever other variations too in the future.

And then, let's get to it.

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Getting Started

It'due south worth making sure yous've got the following, if applicable, before you even contemplate kicking off the process.

  • A small screwdriver (various types work) that'll loosen the back end of the New Nintendo 3DS.
  • A micro-SDHC card with at to the lowest degree the same capacity as your electric current SD card.
  • An SD to micro-SD converter - typically PCs or laptops either have an SD card slot or utilize adapters, then a converter (which is the shape of an SD card in which you slot the smaller media) is a must.
  • An SD adapter for the PC, if required - USB options can exist establish for just a few dollars online or at relevant stores.
  • A PC, laptop, Mac with enough hard bulldoze infinite to accommodate your SD carte du jour content.
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  • We suggest that prior to starting and booting up the New 3DS you lot place your new micro-SDHC (if you're not using the 4GB card that comes with the system) in the console. You unscrew the back and slide information technology in the slot. This isn't essential - we swapped out the micro-SDHC with a 32GB capacity carte later in the process - but it's perhaps an extra fail-prophylactic worth completing. IF y'all have a New arrangement with a pre-installed game, follow the extra stride below.
  • This bullet point only affects those that have a packet with a pre-installed game. Simply put the packed-in New 3DS 4GB micro-SDHC into your PC and re-create all contents onto that computer. Now, ensure your larger micro-SDHC is completely blank, and copy the data from the packed in carte to the new micro-SDHC. Now pop the larger capacity bill of fare into the New 3DS.

Starting the System Transfer

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Moving onto the business stop now, the first matter to do is to burn up your New Nintendo 3DS - plugging information technology in is a skilful idea - and work through the initial setup. This will involve picking a system name, applying a time / appointment and calibrating the 3D consequence, among other things.

You shouldn't be prompted to set or link a Nintendo Network ID in the early on screens, but ensure that y'all do not setup an NNID nether any circumstances.

Once initial setup is consummate and y'all're on the familiar home screen, head into System Settings, Other Settings and select Organisation Update, simply to check it'due south on the latest firmware.

Once that's complete, boot up your quondam 3DS and become both systems to the chief screen; head into Arrangement Settings, then Other Settings.

Select System Transfer on both consoles.

Step-past-Footstep

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  • Once the procedure begins select 3DS family transfer on both machines - y'all'll be hopping between the two screens frequently.
  • Select "Transport from this system" on your old 3DS, and "Receive from Nintendo 3DS" on the New Nintendo 3DS.
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  • Your old 3DS will show the name yous gave the New hardware, tap this. Then tap Yes on the following prompt on the New 3DS. Prompts on your erstwhile portable will then suggest you that, following the transfer, all data will exist moved and therefore deleted from the source, while whatever data on the New 3DS will also be overwritten. This cannot be undone. Say yes at the prompts and tap "Transfer" on the old 3DS when it appears.
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  • At this point the New 3DS will prompt yous to delete any data on the micro-SDHC - whether re-using another card or starting with a new (bare) ane, you need to agree and tap "Delete".
  • When asked on the New 3DS whether whatsoever other microSD cards take been used with the organisation, say "No".
As the eagle-eyed may spot, we had to do another transfer after wrongly tapping No on another system - be sure to Tap YES on this screen
Epitome: Nintendo Life / Damien McFerran
  • The next screen on the old 3DS is the most disruptive, and then be careful. If you're transferring from a standard 3DS / Xl with an SD carte du jour, select Yes. This is easily the nigh poorly worded part of the process, but select Aye to state that you have a standard SD menu in the former 3DS.

Standing with a micro-SDHC already used in an original 3DS

If you lot are actually using a micro-SDHC card in your former 3DS (with an adapter) and want to keep using that aforementioned retention, so select No and the process below will be slightly different (easier, actually) as you'll be replicating the simple act (at the right time) of letting the systems process before simply moving your carte du jour into the New arrangement.


Though the prompts will be different, the process should really be simpler, as you won't be required to motility files onto a PC and then onto a new carte. Follow the prompts for a express wireless transfer between the two units and, merely when told to do so, switch both machines off and motility the micro-SDHC across to the New Nintendo 3DS. This is far more than reminiscent of the original System Transfer process.

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Paradigm: Nintendo Life / Damien McFerran
  • The next screen on the old 3DS offers three transfer options - Wireless, Low-Capacity micro-SD card transfer and PC-based transfer. Wireless is a poor option, as it takes an infrequent amount of time for the two systems to transfer everything locally, while the second option is improved but withal relies on some local transfer. As highlighted to a higher place, the PC-based transfer is the best option. Select information technology.
  • Tap Move to boot off the process.
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  • Go and get a refreshing beverage as miniature Pikmin transfer basic information for organization apps.
  • Once finished, tap OK on both systems. The old 3DS will be entirely reformatted, just as it was the day you commencement got it. The New Nintendo 3DS volition restart.
  • Now, plough off both systems.
  • Take your SD card and plug information technology into your PC. Copy the contents of the SD carte onto the computer.
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Image: Nintendo Life / Damien McFerran
  • Now connect your micro-SDHC bill of fare to the reckoner and simply re-create/paste/move that former SD card content onto it.
  • Put the micro-SDHC card back into the New Nintendo 3DS / Twoscore, boot it up and all of your content, Nintendo Network ID and so on will accept transferred. Some demo and video content may get lost in the transfer (but tin can exist re-downloaded from the eShop), just otherwise you should be able to kick off and continue gaming on the new hardware.
  • Play video games.

Accessing Pre-Installed Games Later on a Transfer

If you lot buy a Nintendo Nintendo 3DS that comes with a game pre-installed - at launch some specific systems come up with Monster Hunter four Ultimate or The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask 3D, varying by region - then it will be wiped as part of the System Transfer procedure. Nintendo'south back up page states that you will simply be able to re-download the affected game from the eShop. Simply find the game's folio on the eShop and it should provide an choice to re-download, or go into Menu / Settings / Other / Redownloadable software.

Finally, below we take Nintendo's official video guide, which is pretty useful.

If you have whatsoever remaining questions about the transfer exist certain to permit u.s. know in the comments below.