The Nintendo Switch console has been a smash success, with almost 80 million units sold since its release. Even with these sales numbers, Nintendo isn’t resting on its laurels. There are rumors swirling about an upgraded Nintendo Switch console on the horizon. Nintendo is keeping its lips sealed at the moment, but with news of Nvidia getting involved, many in the industry think a more powerful Nintendo Switch is coming.
Many Switch fans are salivating at getting their hands on the (rumored) “Pro” version of the console. As a result, more than a few Switch owners will be looking to flip their Switch to make some cash that they can put towards the shiny new one. Of course, before you sell your Nintendo Switch, you’ll want to factory reset your Nintendo Switch to get rid of your data.
What Factory Resetting Your Nintendo Switch Does
When performing a factory reset, all of the data on the console will be deleted. This effectively restores the Switch back to the state in which is was originally purchased. There is no way to recover this data, so be very careful when performing this operation.
During a factory reset, the following data will be deleted from the Nintendo Switch:
- Software data
- Saved data
- Screenshots
- User information
- Nintendo Account link
- Registration of your console as the active console for downloads for your Nintendo account (This only happens when the Switch is connected to the Internet – see below for more information.)
- All settings on the console
- All information records, such as error history
It is important to note that when factory resetting a Switch, users will be unable to use software data saved on a microSD card. That being said, screenshots saved to a microSD card will not be affected.
Performing a Factory Switch on a Nintendo Switch
On the Home screen, select “System Settings” – it’s the icon that looks like a cog.
On the System Settings screen, scroll through the options listed in the left column until you land on “System.” Selecting it will open new options on the right pane of the screen. Scroll down and select “Formatting Options.” This will bring you to the “Formatting Options” screen. From there, scroll to the bottom and select “Initialize Console.” On the next screen, scroll down and select “Next.”
At this point, a pop-up box will appear telling you that the Nintendo Switch will attempt to connect to the Internet. Doing so enables the console to de-register your Nintendo account with the Switch console.
If you factory reset your Switch without connecting to the Internet, then your Nintendo account will still be associated with the Switch console. This means any downloads initiated from your Nintendo Account will still be associated with the console that was reset. Obviously, this can result in a huge headache if the Switch has already been sold. To avoid this, only initiate a factory reset when the Switch is connected to the Internet.
Caution, There Is No Turning Back
On the next screen, you’ll see a big red button labelled “Initialize.” Selecting this button will begin the factory reset. Factory resetting a Switch console will wipe it of all data. There is no way to recover this data, so proceed with caution.
Once the factory reset has started, give it time to do its thing. When it is finished, the Nintendo Switch will be like the day it was taken out of the box, ready to be resold.
Selling Your Factory Reset Nintendo Switch
Now that your Nintendo Switch is as fresh as the day it was taken out of the box, it’s time to cash in. There are a number of different avenues to sell your Switch. The most obvious is eBay, and one can find a slew of secondhand Switch consoles being sold on the auction site. You can almost guarantee a sale using eBay; however, you may not get as much as you are hoping for if you opt for a traditional auction.
Alternatively, you can always try direct selling via Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. The advantage of using one of these sites is that they enable you to negotiate an acceptable selling price. That being said, face-to-face sales can limit the scope of potential buyers to your local area. In addition to well-known marketplaces like eBay and Craigslist, there are a number of other options for folks looking to sell their old electronics, like a Nintendo Switch. Some of these sites may not offer top dollar; however, they guarantee cash in your pocket and speedy turn around times.
Are you excited about the prospect of a new, more powerful Nintendo Switch console? Are you looking to sell your Nintendo Switch? Why? Let us know in the comments!
Our latest tutorials delivered straight to your inbox
