Data Backup Digest

The 3DS is Nintendo’s popular handhold games console. The Japanese firm recently announced, in their typical fashion, that another iteration of the device will be hitting stores soon. The new 3DS and 3DS XL has new features including additional bumpers and improved hardware. However, changes have also come in how data is stored. This article will explore just what changes have been made and how to transfer data over to the new device.

Let’s first talk about transferring data for current 3DS owners. While the older handheld uses SD cards, the new versions make use of microSD. As such, it isn’t as simple as taking the card out of the old device and putting it in the new one.

As an aside, data can only be copied from the old 3DS to the new one. It doesn’t work the other way round.

One option is to use a computer to help with the transfer. All that needs to be done is to put the SD card and microSD card into a computer. Then, simply copy the data from the old card to the new one. The type of data that gets transferred is Mii data, downloaded software, saved games, WiFi credentials and more.

Data can also be transferred through the wireless transfer system. However, this only works for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users. There’s no support for Mac. This method is a full backup, so unlike the PC transfer method you can’t pick and choose what data you want to transfer.

Nintendo has confirmed that 16GB and 32GB SanDisk microSD cards work on the new 3DS. Of course, other cards are likely to work too, but these are just the ones that Nintendo have tested. There is no support for microSDXC.

On top of these changes, the new 3DS may have content made specifically for it, meaning older versions of console won’t be capable of playing it.

There is a feature on the 3DS that allows users to back up their save data from downloadable 3DS software and the majority of virtual console games. The benefit of this is that software can be deleted from the SD card without the loss of save data. This backup is then automatically restored when the software is redownloaded from the eShop.

There are certain pieces of software that don’t support this backup feature. Example software includes Animal Crossing: New Leaf and Pokemon Rumble Blast. These are just Nintendo published examples.

The new 3DS isn’t out at the moment, so it’s not confirmed whether the above feature will be on the console. The feature was added with the system menu version update 6.0.0-0U; considering the new console will very likely use the same software, it should be expected that the backup feature will remain the same across devices.

More information on the process will become known when the new 3DS launches. If you’re looking to upgrade to the new console from the old, just remember that the SD card is changing from a full sized one to a micro.