I use GNOME Disks on Linux operating system to create a backup of microSD card containing game data as a raw drive image file. Giving each raw drive image file name as game title.
Swapping game data this way is 4 to 5 times faster than usual (file by file) or game (re)download.
I live stream my Switch game-plays and I require to speed up the game swapping process or cut down download times required from Nintendo eShop .
I want to play Rocket League, Warframe or Fortnite on my Nintendo Switch. I have 32GB microSD card where only one game at time can fit on it.
Obviously there is not enough storage space in (internal) system Switch console storage and microSD card for all these.
In my situation I can only fit one game on microSD card while having another in Switch system memory. And I don’t have any more microSD cards available. Sometimes there is not enough system storage space available to preform an existing game update or new game download and install while system storage is low on free space available.
So, I try to keep as much as possible free space in system storage on Switch console. Keeping games on microSD card or as an raw disk image file.
What I did is, to download one (first) game to system (storage) memory. Than, I use Data management in System settings on Switch console to move game installed in Switch console system memory onto microSD card, that process deletes game from system storage.
Now I have internal Switch console system storage space (reclaimed) freed up for next game. I turn off the console and take out the microSD card from console. Turn console back on and start downloading next game.
While game is downloading onto Switch console I have time to backup data from microSD card. Now I insert microSD with (first) game on Linux PC. And use GNOME Disks to create disk image file of that microSD card.
When writing of raw disk image file completes I can put that (the only one I have) microSD back in Switch console. At this point the game is still intact on microSD card.
Now I can just play these two games, one installed in system storage and one on the microSD card.
If I want to play some other ( re-download or new install ) larger game than storage space available. I need to free up storage space by running Archive software for one of the games already installed.
So far I moved every game to microSD and created for each a raw drive image file, for flexibility and to cut down time for re-downloading.
Swapping microSD drive images is up to 5 times faster than moving games on Switch console between system storage and microSD.
Moving game back from microSD card to Switch console system storage deletes game from microSD and it is much slower than writing raw drive image to microSD card on PC with GNOME Disks in Linux.
Few facts:
Reading and copying “Nintendo” folder from microSD to a folder in Windows is possible but slower process.
It looks that Switch console can refuse “Nintendo” folder from Windows written to different microSD than originally.
It is possible to write raw drive image to diferent microSD and Switch console will accept it.
I tested that I can run game restored to microSD that I previously Archived from microSD without re-download required.
Further, I will do the next test:
Move game back into console system storage from microSD, than run Archive software for that game. And try to play that game restored to microSD from raw drive image just by inserting it in Switch console without moving it to system storage or re-downloading it.
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