How to Redownload Nintendo Switch eShop Content

Applies to:  Nintendo Switch Family, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model


Steps to help recover games or DLC that have been deleted from the Nintendo Switch console.

Before you start

You will need:

  • Your Nintendo Switch console
  • Internet connection

What to do

  • Redownloading games and their downloadable content (DLC)
    1. Check the HOME Menu for the game's icon. If no icon is present, continue to the next step.
      • Game icon on the HOME Menu

        If the game already has an icon on the HOME menu, you can redownload it without entering the Nintendo eShop.

        1. Select the game’s icon.
        2. Select Download.
          • If you get the error message: “This Software Cannot Be Played. The Nintendo Account Used to Purchase This Software Has Been Unlinked”, follow our additional steps.
        3. The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
    2. Open the Nintendo eShop with the Nintendo Account that purchased the game.
    3. Select the icon in the upper-right corner to access your Account Information.
    4. Highlight Redownload on the left side of the screen. A list of titles you’ve purchased will appear.
    5. Highlight the game you want to redownload and select the orange icon to begin downloading the game and any DLC for it that you have purchased. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
  • Redownloading individual DLC
    1. Access the Nintendo eShop with the Nintendo Account that purchased the content.
    2. Search for the game title that the content is associated with.
      • How to search the Nintendo Switch eShop
        1. Select Nintendo eShop on the HOME Menu to launch the Nintendo eShop.
        2. If there are multiple user accounts on your system, select the account you want to use.
        3. Select the magnifying glass in the upper-left corner to access the Search menu.
        4. Enter a keyword into the keyword field and select Search to search by the keyword. A list of results will appear.
          • If you would like to narrow your search further, you can adjust the Price Range and/or Genre to only display games within the category you set.
        5. After selecting a game title, scroll through the game details to view any available downloadable content.
    3. Select the game and scroll down to view all available Downloadable Content, below the game details.
    4. Select the previously purchased Downloadable Content. It will display Purchased instead of a cost.
    5. Select Redownload to redownload the content. The download will begin automatically—you can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

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