You cannot simply copy files manually from your old SD card to the new one if you want an exact replica. This is because your retro handheld likely uses multiple partitions, system files, and hidden tweaks that won’t transfer correctly through drag-and-drop. Instead, you need to perform a full disk clone, which copies everything—including partitions, boot records, games, themes, and more—so that the new card works just like the old one.
Here’s how to do it on a Windows PC:
-
Download Win32 Disk Imager (freeware).
-
Insert your old SD card into your computer’s USB port.
-
Open Win32 Disk Imager and select “Read” to create an image file of your old SD card. (This saves everything as a single file on your PC.)
-
Eject the old SD card and insert the new SD card with larger storage capacity.
-
Use Win32 Disk Imager’s “Write” function to copy the image file onto your new SD card.
-
Eject the new SD card safely and test it in your handheld.
Win32 Disk Imager is beginner-friendly, but you can also use other disk cloning software to create an exact, bit-for-bit copy of your SD card. Note: Your new SD card must be the same size or larger than the original.
Relate guide: How to Clone An External Hard Drive Easily on Windows?
