Installing a game to the system memory (NAND) is not recommended as it’s limited to either 8GB or 32GB depending on your model, making you run out of space pretty quickly if you want to install multiple games.
If you do not have enough space on your SD Card, you can use an advanced technique to install dumps from a USB device. This is not the easiest thing to do and has the disadvantage of only being able to install the game onto your system memory (NAND).
In order to install to a USB device, it has to be formatted by the Wii U. Doing this will erase all contents of it, and prevent it from being used on another system unless you reformat it. To do this, plug your USB HDD into the Wii U, power on your Wii U, your Wii U will prompt you to format your HDD. Confirm with Yes.
What you need
Your SD Card needs to have enough space to fit the game you want to dump.
If wanting to install to a USB, A USB HDD (+ a Y-cable if needed).
In order to move your game to a USB device, it has to be formatted by the Wii U. Doing this will erase all contents of it, and prevent it from being used on another system unless you reformat it.
Plug your USB device into the Wii U.
Power on your Wii U.
Your Wii U will prompt you to format your USB device. Confirm with Yes.
Open the Wii U’s System Settings.
Navigate to Data Management > Copy/Move/Delete Data > System Memory > Move Items (X)
Select the game and move all data (including updates and DLC if any are installed) to your USB device.
If your disc game had DLC or updates installed, you will need to transfer the files over to your USB device. You can do this using the Wii U’s data management.
Power on your Wii U
Open the Wii U’s System Settings.
Navigate to Data Management > Copy/Move/Delete Data > System Memory > Move Items (X).
Select your game and move the update and DLC data to the USB device.
Dumping eShop games
In this section, we look at how to dump any games, updates and DLC from your Wii U system over to your PC.
To do this, we are going to run a dumping application through the Wii U browser to transfer your games and account information to a USB storage device or SD card.
If you are looking for a guide to set up Cemu, A Wii U emulator, check out this page.
What You Need
A SD Card or USB HDD that needs to have enough space to fit the game you want to dump.
An internet connection.
Preparations
Put your SD card or USB into your console.
Turn on your Wii U console.
Boot into the NNID you want to dump your games from.
If prompted, do not format any USB devices through the Wii U.
If you use Aroma and it seems to load infinitely on a white screen with the Wii U logo on the bottom right with the loading sound playing, you likely didnt bypass coldboot. Follow the instructions above to learn how to bypass coldboot.
Dumping eShop games
Select Dump only Base files of a game
Select the games you want to dump with A
When you have selected your games, press + to start dumping.
Return to the Dumpling main menu.
Dumping updates for games
Select Dump only Update files of a game
Select the games you want to dump with A
When you have selected your updates, press + to start dumping.
Return to the Dumpling main menu.
Dumping DLC for games
Select Dump only DLC files of a game
Select the DLC you want to dump with A
When you have selected your DLC, press + to start dumping.
Return to the Dumpling main menu.
Copying the dumped games to your PC
Exit the Dumpling app and turn off your Wii U.
Take your USB storage device or SD card out of your Wii U and put it in your PC.
Select the files you want to move from your USB to your PC and press Ctrl + C
On your pc, go to the location you want the files and press Ctrl + V
