Checkpoint
~4 min read · Third-party project overview
Checkpoint (by FlagBrew) is a lightweight save data backup / restore tool for the Switch. A long-running project (it dates back to the 3DS days), it remains the most widely-used save manager in the Switch homebrew scene.
What it does
- Save backups — dump any title's save to SD (
/switch/Checkpoint/saves/).
- Restore — write a backup back to the console.
- Share — move saves between Switches via SD.
- Lightweight & fast — 1-second startup, two-button workflow.
- Multi-account aware — pick which console user's saves to manage.
Setup
- Download the latest
Checkpoint.nro from GitHub.
- Place it in
/switch/Checkpoint/ on your SD.
- Launch from hbmenu (via Album).
- First launch scans the save index — takes a few seconds.
Usage
- R/L to pick a game → L (backup) / R (restore).
- Backup names get automatic date stamps.
- Pop the SD into your PC and you'll find raw save files (no zip) under
/switch/Checkpoint/saves/<TitleID>/.
Unlike Switch Online cloud saves, Checkpoint gives you local / offline control with unlimited history. Essential if you don't pay for NSO or want multiple backup snapshots.
Relation to the secretchat.tel loader
Checkpoint and our loader both run as homebrew NROs under Atmosphère, so they share the same SD without conflict. Strongly recommended for loader users — back up your saves regularly as insurance against save corruption or hardware failure.
Related