How to Transfer Content Between Two Wii U Consoles

Wii U

In this article, you'll learn how to transfer content from one Wii U to a second Wii U.

If you have questions about the Wii U to Wii U system transfer process, you may find our FAQ and Overview page helpful.
After completing these steps, you must wait 7 days prior to transferring the same data again.

The following are required to perform a Wii U to Wii U system transfer:

The source and target Wii U consoles
- The source console must also have a linked Nintendo Network ID
Two Wii U GamePads, one paired with each console
An SD Card with enough room to hold the system and save data from the source system
- Game data will be redownloaded once the transfer is complete, so the SD Card only needs to be large enough for system and save data
A network connection that allows both Wii U systems to be connected online simultaneously
A Wii Remote or Wii Remote Plus is required if you have Wii Menu data
A USB storage device may be required if you are transferring content from a Wii U Deluxe Set (32 GB) to a Wii U Basic Set (8 GB)

Complete these steps

Power on both Wii U consoles.
Ensure a Wii U GamePad has been paired to each Wii U console.
Set up an Internet connection on both the source and target Wii U consoles.
- Both consoles must be connected to the same network during the transfer process.
Ensure both the source and target Wii U consoles have the most recent system update.
If you are transferring from a Wii U Deluxe Set to a Wii U Basic Set, review data management to ensure you have less than 3GB of save data. Move any additional data to a USB External Storage Device.

On the source Wii U, select System Settings from the Wii U Menu.
Using the Left Stick, scroll to System Transfer and press the A Button.
Select Transfer Between Wii U Consoles.
Wait a moment while the Wii U checks for the latest system updates and data required for the transfer.
Select Next after reviewing the About System Transfers message.
On the Important Information Regarding Data Transfers screen, scroll to the bottom of the message and select Agree.
Select Preparing for Transfer.
Select Source Console when asked which role this console will play in the transfer.
Confirm that you see a message on the Wii U GamePad asking you to align the arrows on your GamePad screens.

On the target Wii U, select System Settings from the Wii U Menu.
Using the Left Stick, scroll to System Transfer and press the A Button.
Select Transfer Between Wii U Consoles.
Wait a moment while the Wii U checks for the latest system updates and data required for the transfer.
Select Next after reviewing the About System Transfers message.
On the Important Information Regarding Data Transfers screen, scroll to the bottom of the message and select Agree.
Select Preparing for Transfer
Select Target Console when asked which role this console will play in the transfer.
Confirm that you see a message on the Wii U GamePad asking you to align the arrows on your GamePad screens.

Face the Wii U GamePads toward one another at a distance of around 2 inches apart.
Align the arrows on both screens so that they point towards one another.
Wait until the arrows disappear, and confirm both Wii U GamePads display a number on their screens.

On the source Wii U, select Yes to confirm that you see the same code displayed on both GamePads.
Select Yes to confirm that both the source and target consoles show the correct number of users, number of Nintendo Network IDs, purchased Software, and Wii Menu usage.
Press Enter to confirm the Nintendo Network ID.
Enter your Nintendo Network ID password when prompted, and press OK to confirm.
Insert the SD Card into the source Wii U console.
Select Next to continue.
A list including details on the Nintendo Network IDs, digital content, and save data being transferred will be displayed. Select each item to review the details of their transfer, and then select Understood.
Once all items have been checked, select Next.
Select Moving Data to SD Card.
Select Yes to confirm you understand data cannot be restored after a transfer and that a transfer can only be done once every 7 days.
Select OK to confirm you understand Auto Power-Down and Standby functions will be disabled during the system transfer.
Wait while data for the system transfer is created.
A video will play while system-memory data is being moved to the SD Card.
- A small progress bar can be viewed at the top of the GamePad screen to determine how far the process has moved.
After the video completes, wait for the source Wii U to connect to the Internet.
Once you receive the confirmation message "Data has been moved to the SD Card", continue the process from the target console’s GamePad.

On the target Wii U, wait while the console connects to the Internet.
Select Moving Data to Target Console.
Select OK to confirm you understand that all content and settings will be deleted from the target console.
Wait while the Wii U deletes all content and settings.
- If the Wii U powers off after this step, press the Power button to turn the console back on.
- If you have Wii Menu data, you will also need to wait while the Wii U formats this data.
When prompted, remove the SD Card from the source Wii U and insert it into the SD Card slot of the target Wii U.
Select OK to continue.
A video will play while SD Card data is moved to the system memory.
- A small progress bar can be viewed at the top of the GamePad screen to determine how far the process has moved.
Once the video completes, the target Wii U will connect to the Internet.
Select OK to confirm you understand that transferred Wii U software will be redownloaded on the target Wii U.
- After the transfer completes, the download progress of software can be viewed by selecting Download Management from the HOME Menu.
Select OK to confirm you understand that transfer was complete, and that you cannot perform another transfer for 7 days.
The target console will now restart.

The source GamePad will display the message "Waiting for a response from the other console. Please wait. If the other console turns off, please turn it back on".
When the target system responds, the source console will display a message stating the process on the source system is now complete.
Select OK to confirm that all settings and data will be deleted from the source console.
Wait while all content and settings are deleted from the Wii U console.
Once this completes, the source console will power down.
If you were using a USB drive with the source system, connect it to the target system.