If you're running Switch homebrew (loaders/CFW), the brand and spec of your microSD really matter. Cheap cards = write errors → loader fails to launch → worst case ban risk.
| Spec | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Type | microSDXC (UHS-I) | Same |
| Capacity | 4GB-2TB | 128GB+ (loader + DLC eats space fast) |
| Speed class | U1 | U3 / V30 |
| Read | — | 100MB/s+ |
| Write | — | 60MB/s+ (homebrew log writes benefit) |
Switch doesn't support UHS-II, so don't pay for "Pro" cards — you won't see the benefit. A solid UHS-I card is enough.
| Model | Cap | Read | Write | Switch reliability | Typical $ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung EVO Plus | 128GB | ~130MB/s | ~60MB/s | ★★★★★ | $15-20 |
| SanDisk Ultra | 128GB | ~120MB/s | ~50MB/s | ★★★★★ | $13-18 |
| SanDisk Extreme | 128GB | ~190MB/s | ~90MB/s | ★★★★★ | $22-30 |
| Samsung EVO Select | 128GB | ~130MB/s | ~60MB/s | ★★★★ | $15-20 |
| Lexar 633x | 128GB | ~95MB/s | ~45MB/s | ★★★ | $10-13 |
| SanDisk Extreme Pro | 128GB | ~200MB/s | ~90MB/s | ★★★★★ (overkill) | $30-40 |
Amazon / AliExpress listings like "128GB for $5" are almost always capacity fakes. They report a fake capacity in the firmware but only have a fraction of the real storage — your data silently corrupts past the real limit.
Verify with:
f3 tool (`brew install f3` → `f3probe /dev/diskN`)microSD cards have limited writes (TLC: ~3000 cycles). Normal Switch loader use lasts 3-5 years. When approaching end of life, save writes start failing — replace at the 3-year mark proactively.
SD Memory Card Formatter from sdcard.orghbmenu.nro and License.txt (your purchased key) at the SD rootFull walkthrough: Switch loader setup guide