1. Connect your console to the internet.
2. Check the HOME Menu for the game's icon. If no icon is present, continue to the next step.
   • Game icon on the HOME Menu

     If the game already has an icon on the HOME Menu, you can redownload it directly.

     1. Select the game’s icon.
     2. Select Download.
     3. The download will begin automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
3. Select Virtual Game Cards on the HOME Menu.
4. Select the user that purchased the game or DLC.
5. If you have enabled identity authentication, you may be prompted to confirm your identity by re-entering your password or entering a PIN.
   • Forgot password

     If you have forgotten your password, please follow Forgot Nintendo Account Sign-In Info.

   • Forgot PIN or entered PIN incorrectly

     If you have forgotten your PIN or have entered the incorrect PIN too many times, follow these steps:

     1. With the PIN entry screen displayed, press the + Button.
     2. Select Sign In.
     3. Sign in to your Nintendo Account.
     4. A message will appear indicating that your PIN has been deleted. Select OK.
        • Note that this will not turn off identity authentication, but instead switch it to requiring you to sign in to your Nintendo Account. You can change back to the PIN authentication method and create a new PIN in your User Settings.
6. Select the game or DLC you want to redownload from the list of your virtual game cards.
   • How to redownload multiple items at once

     If you want to queue multiple different games or DLC to download at once, perform the following:

     1. When in the virtual game cards menu, press the X Button to open the Load Multiple menu.
     2. Select all of the virtual game cards you want to download.
     3. Select Load Multiple (or press the + Button).
     4. Select OK.
     5. The icons for the games you selected will appear on the HOME Menu and the games will begin downloading.
   • How to download content without loading a virtual game card

     If you want to download a game or DLC without loading it as a virtual game card, perform the following:

     1. Select Options.
     2. Select Download Data.
     3. The game or DLC will begin downloading automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

     This can be useful if, for example, this console is not one of your two consoles that can load virtual game cards and you have enabled the online licence setting.

   • Can't find the desired virtual game card in the list

     You may have hidden the virtual game card you are trying to download. Perform the following:

     1. When in the virtual game cards menu, scroll down and select Can't find specific software?
     2. Select View Hidden Virtual Game Cards.
     3. If prompted, sign in to your Nintendo Account.
     4. Locate the game or DLC you would like to download, select it, then select Load to This Console to start downloading it.
        • If you would prefer to download the game or DLC without loading the virtual game card, instead select Options, then Download Data.

     If the above does not apply, the game or DLC may have been purchased using a different Nintendo Account. Try again with the other Nintendo Accounts on the console until you locate the one that was used to make the purchase.

     If you still can't find the game, read Digital Content is Missing from Nintendo Switch (Games, DLC, Etc).

7. Select Load to This Console. The game will begin downloading automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.
   • Message: Another paired console has been found. You can only pair each console to one other console at a time.

     This message appears if you try to load a virtual game card to a console that is not one of your two consoles that can load virtual game cards. To download the game on this console, perform the following:

     1. Select Cancel.
     2. Select the game or DLC you want to download.
     3. Select Options.
     4. Select Download Data.
     5. The game or DLC will begin downloading automatically. You can check the download status on the HOME Menu.

     Note that in order to play your content on consoles that cannot load virtual game cards, you will need to have enabled the online licence setting.

   • Game doesn't appear after download

     If the game doesn't appear on the HOME Menu after you start downloading it, try restarting your console.

     1. Hold down the POWER Button for three seconds.
     2. Select Power Options.
     3. Select Restart.

     If the game still doesn't appear, read Digital Content is Missing from Nintendo Switch (Games, DLC, Etc).

Some digital content is not found in the virtual game cards menu. This content can generally be redownloaded through Nintendo eShop:

• To redownload most game demos, locate them in Nintendo eShop and select Download.
• Nintendo Switch Online classic game libraries can be redownloaded through the Nintendo Switch Online menu in Nintendo eShop.
• DLC exclusive to Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members can also be redownloaded through the Nintendo Switch Online menu in Nintendo eShop.
• Game Trials software can be redownloaded either through the Nintendo Switch Online menu, or by locating the software in Nintendo eShop and selecting Download.