Does Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Have Cloud Saves? Everything you need to know

In light of the recent crossover between Pokémon GO and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, the community is now wondering: Do Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have cloud saves? We have your answer here with everything you need to know about the feature.

Earlier this year, Pokémon Day came with a plethora of exciting news, including a crossover between Pokémon GO and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. This allowed players to connect their copy of either base game with the app from Niantic in order to get and transfer Roaming Form Gimmighoul. While the crossover content functions as planned, it’s introduction is not without a frustrating bug. One issue has now affected a small number of players in the Pokémon community, wiping video game save files on Nintendo Switch systems. Those affected have hoped to recover their data through cloud saves, but this may not be an option after all.

Does Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Support Cloud Saves?

Despite potential benefits, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet do not support cloud saves on the Switch. Nintendo Switch Online does offer up a Cloud Save feature, but it’s infamously incompatible with Pokémon titles. Save data cloud compatibility is typically disclosed in a game’s product information on the Nintendo eShop. However, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have elected not to allow compatibility with SV in an effort to prevent exploitation.

That said, there is a handy backup save feature available to those who need it in the event of glitches. This can certainly help to lower the level of risk. However, you may not be able to access this backup data while an error message persists.

Pokémon Scarlet/Pokémon Violet Expansion Pass: The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero (Retail Version) Standard – Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]

Only one code for a Hisuian Zoroark can be used in either the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. Upon purchase of The Hidden Treasure of Area Zero DLC, an email with your code will be sent to the email address registered to your Nintendo Account. From the in-game menu, go to the Poké Portal, then select Mystery Gift, select Get with Code/Password, and then enter your code.
The Mystery Gift option can be found within the Poké Portal menu option in the X menu after you unlock the feature in the Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet game. (This occurs after about 1 to 1.5 hours of gameplay, though individual gameplay time may vary.) An internet connection and a Nintendo Account is required to redeem the item in game. A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required. Each item can only be redeemed once.

How to Load Backup Save Data

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet are the hosts of some pretty infamous bugs. The games also make use of an auto-save feature that can fail at the most inopportune times. Because of this, you’ll likely need to use the backup save feature somewhere down the line. The button combo is reminiscent of previous save data deletion methods, but it’s fairly simple, in all. Here’s what to do.

Launch Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet.
On the home screen of your game, hold the X button and B button while pressing Up on your D-Pad.
This will open a menu from which you can access your backup save data.

How to Transfer Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Save Data

Transferring your save data may serve as more of a preventative measure rather than a fix for any bugs, but it will keep your Scarlet or Violet save data safe, nonetheless. Not to mention, it’s especially helpful when you want to use a new system. Here’s how to transfer your save file from one Switch to another.

Power up your Nintendo Switch systems.
Hover over your copy of Pokémon Scarlet or Pokémon Violet and press the X button on both systems.
Select Manage Software on both systems.
Select Transfer Your Save Data on both systems.
Choose Send Save Data to Another Console on the system you wish to move the data from.
Then select Receive Save Data on the system you’d like to transfer the data to.
On the Switch currently holding the save data, select the user account associated with the save file, then select the game.
Choose Send Save Data.
Keep your two systems next to each other while the data transfers.

Pokemon SV Cloud Saves – FAQ

What causes the loss of save data in the Pokémon GO and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet crossover?

While the exact cause of the data deletion bug is not yet known, members of the Pokémon community have theorized that a patch for Scarlet and Violet may interfere with the crossover between the base games and Pokémon GO. Others claim that their save data was corrupted after purchasing the game’s DLC. Despite the fact that dozes of players have been affected, either Nintendo nor TPC have commented on this devastating bug.

For more on Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, check out these additional pieces from our team: Pokémon Scarlet and Violet – How to Connect to Pokémon GO, How to Buy Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC – Methods Explained, Is Pokémon Scarlet and Violet DLC Worth it? Everything You Need to Know and How Do I Start The Teal Mask Quest.