Owners of the Nintendo Switch 2 who report losing Pokémon save files are urgently advising fellow trainers to utilize the Pokémon Home storage app before initiating a system transfer to their new console.
A troubling Reddit post details how one player's Pokémon Scarlet save file vanished after transferring data from their original Switch to Switch 2. Numerous responses confirm similar experiences, with an IGN staff member also encountering this issue.
The original poster, ThatOtaku26, heartbreakingly described losing a save containing over 1,000 gameplay hours and Pokémon transferred across decades - including creatures from Pokémon LeafGreen and Diamond originally caught on Game Boy Advance and Nintendo DS.
For dedicated Pokémon trainers, these save files represent priceless collections built over multiple game generations. Compounding the issue, Switch Pokémon titles uniquely lack standard cloud save support - including Let's Go Eevee/Pikachu, Legends: Arceus, Sword/Shield, and Scarlet/Violet - despite Nintendo Switch Online offering this feature for most other games.
The Pokémon Home app serves as the franchise's dedicated cloud storage solution, requiring its own subscription beyond 30 stored creatures. Fans now strongly recommend using this service before migrating to Switch 2, stressing its importance for safeguarding valuable Pokémon collections during console transitions.
"My Switch 2 setup completed perfectly, but my Scarlet save vanished completely," ThatOtaku26 explained. "It boots straight to character creation - no errors occurred, yet twenty years' worth of Pokémon are gone. I don't know if I can bring myself to start over."
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The discussion thread revealed numerous players sharing similar devastating experiences:
"This exact scenario happened during my OLED transfer," wrote Grouchy-Cress-215. "I cried actual tears."
"I lost EVERYTHING - Breath of the Wild, Tears of the Kingdom, Mario Kart 8, all Pokémon games," added Existing-Possible550. "Complete restart across my entire library."
Most commenters emphasized Pokémon Home as essential insurance:
"Everything's going into Home before I touch my Switch 2," stated Mexican_Chef4307.
"I'll transfer my entire collection to Home first," agreed TheJannikku. "The risk is too great."
Some responses were less sympathetic:
"Not backing up to Home was irresponsible," criticized IAmTheWire. "We've known for years this is the only guaranteed preservation method."
The Switch 2 launched earlier this month with record-breaking sales of 3.5 million units in its first four days - doubling the original Switch's launch performance, though that system faced severe stock shortages.
