Despite the risks, pirates use Google Drive because it offers fast download speeds, generous free storage (15GB), and easy sharing. However, compared to dedicated torrenting or other cyberlockers, Google Drive is actually a poor choice for piracy:
While not peer-reviewed, these sources provide practical, well-documented methods for using Google Drive with Switch emulation: google drive switch games
Nintendo offers its own cloud backup service for game saves via Nintendo Switch Online. However, some tech-savvy users have historically sought alternative methods to manually extract their save files from a hacked or modded Switch. Once extracted, these save files (not the games themselves) can be uploaded to Google Drive. Despite the risks, pirates use Google Drive because
Why do this?
Important: This process requires a modified console, which violates Nintendo’s Terms of Service and can result in a permanent online ban. Nintendo offers its own cloud backup service for
To understand the trend, one must understand the hardware and software requirements. You cannot simply download an NSP file from Google Drive and run it on a standard Nintendo Switch.