Nintendo Switch screenshot capture is a great way to share screenshots with friends and family. However, if you want to copy the screenshots to a PC over USB, you’ll need some help. First, make sure that your computer is compatible with USB 3.0. Next, connect your Nintendo Switch to the computer using the USB cable. Once connected, open up a command prompt and type “screenshot” into the command prompt. You’ll see a list of available commands below:
- Take a screenshot of your Nintendo Switch screen using the “screenshot” command.
- Copy the screenshot to your PC using the “cp” command.
- Save the screenshot as a file using the “savedata” command.
Starting with Nintendo Switch System Update Version 11.0.0, you can now transfer all of your game and software screenshots and videos over a USB-C cable to a compatible Windows computer. Here’s how to do it.
Requirements
First, make sure that your Nintendo Switch is updated to System 11.0.0. To do so, open System Settings, navigate to “System,” and select “System Update.”
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You’ll also need a compatible USB-A to USB-C cable that you can plug directly into the connector at the bottom of the Switch. The cable has to be wired for data transfer, not just for charging. Note that this transfer technique does not work through the USB ports located on the Switch dock.
Finally, you’ll need a Windows PC. For the transfer to work, Nintendo says that the computer must support Media Transfer Protocol (MTP). Windows 10 PCs all include support for this.
Currently, the Switch’s USB copy function does not work on a Mac out of the box, although that may change with a future update. Reportedly, Android File Transfer might work. In the meantime, Mac users can transfer the screenshots with a microSD card.
RELATED: How to Transfer Screenshots from a Nintendo Switch to a Computer
How to Transfer Switch Screenshots and Videos to a PC via USB Cable
First, plug one end of your USB cable into the USB-C port on the bottom of your Switch, then plug the other end into an available USB port on your Windows PC. Your PC should recognize the Switch as a USB device and set it up automatically.
On the Switch Home screen, select the Settings icon, which looks like a gear.
In System Settings, select “Data Management” from the sidebar menu.
In “Data Management,” select “Manage Screenshots and Videos.”
In “Manage Screenshots and Videos,” select “Copy to a Computer via USB Connection.”
The Switch will attempt to connect to your PC. If the attempt is successful, you’ll see a “Connected to the computer” message.
On your Windows 10 PC, navigate to “This PC” in File Explorer and select “Nintendo Switch,” which you’ll find under the “Devices and drives” category.
Inside, you’ll find a folder called “Album.” Open that, and you’ll see a list of all your screenshots and videos in separate folders sorted by software title.
If you open any one of these folders, you’ll see the images and videos you’ve captured for that game or software application in the past, with each image or video stored as a separate file.
To copy the files over, you can drag and drop the files or folders to any location on your PC, including your Desktop. If you need to select all of the folders at once, press Ctrl+A.
When you’re finished transferring screenshots and videos, tap the “Disconnect” button on your Switch’s screen, then unplug the USB cable.
If a USB connection doesn’t work for some reason, it’s also possible to transfer Switch screenshots and videos using a microSD card. Good luck!
RELATED: How to Transfer Screenshots from a Nintendo Switch to a Computer
