How to Move or Copy Data to and from a Single External Storage Device
In this article, you'll learn how to transfer data to and from an external storage device.
If you copy save data from your system memory to a USB storage device, the USB storage device will become the default location for all new saves for that title.
If you copy save data from a USB storage device to system memory, the USB storage device data will remain the default location and all new saves will continue to be saved to the USB storage device. This cannot be changed unless the USB storage device is removed.
If you copy data between two USB storage devices, whichever device remains connected to the Wii U after the transfer will become the default location for all new saves and data.
To Summarize
- Copy from System Memory to USB Storage Device: USB storage becomes the default location for new saves.
- Copy from USB Storage Device to System Memory: USB storage remains the default location for new saves.
- Copy from USB Storage Device to USB Storage Device: The USB storage device that remains connected to the Wii U will become the default location for new saves.
Complete these steps
The system update that was made available on April 25, 2013 added the ability to copy data. If you have not applied this system update, please follow the steps below. If you have applied this update, please skip to the System Update Version 3.0.0 U or higher section.
System Update Version 2.1.3 U and below
- Connect the USB device to the Wii U console.
- If the device has not been configured with the Wii U console, you will need to configure it.
- From the Wii U menu, select system System Settings.
- Using the left stick, scroll to Data Management and press the A Button.
- Select Move/Delete data.
- Select the storage location where the data is currently stored.
- Select the data you would like to move and press the X Button or tap Transfer all in the top right corner.
- The confirmation screen will pop up, tap Move to confirm.
- Tap OK once the data has been moved.
System Update Version 3.0.0 U and higher
- Connect the USB device to the Wii U console.
- If the device has not been configured with the Wii U console, you will need to configure it.
- From the Wii U Menu, select System Settings.
- Using the Left Stick, scroll to Data Management and press the A Button.
- Select Copy/Move/Delete Data.
- Select the location from which you'd like to copy or move data.
- Press the Y or X Button to copy or move data.
- Tap the items you'd like to copy or move to select them. Once selected, a green box with a white checkmark will show next to the item.
- Once the items have been selected, press the Y Button to copy the item or the X Button to move the item.
- At this point you will be prompted to move or copy the data. Select Move or Copy to confirm the transfer.
- If the data you are transferring already exists on the location you are copying to, you will be prompted with a message asking you to confirm the overwrite.
- Depending on the amount of data, this process can take more than an hour to complete. If your system is up to date, you may cancel this process at any time; however, if you still have an older menu version, the option to cancel this process will not be available.
- If the data you are transferring already exists on the location you are copying to, you will be prompted with a message asking you to confirm the overwrite.
