Learn about the new save data transfer feature in Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Still a little confused about the save transfer process in Animal Crossing: New Horizons? Nintendo has taken the time to put together helpful guide that should get you through it. Check out the full explanation below.

The Animal Crossing™: New Horizons game was recently updated to Version 1.6, and with it comes two different options to transfer your save data to another Nintendo Switch™ system. You can either transfer individual player data or your full island save data. Don’t worry if you’re not quite sure which option is which—we’ll go through both right now!

A few things before we get started:

Please note that this info is just for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

A Nintendo Switch Online membership is not required> for save transfers.

If you’d like to transfer your data, we highly recommend reading the Customer Support page about it.

Full island transfers require a separate free download that you can get from Nintendo eShop. We’ll explain that in greater detail a little bit later in the article.

How to update your game

Before you start any save transfer, make sure your game is up-to-date. To check, please select the game’s icon on the HOME Menu, press the + Button, and select Software Update (internet connection required).

Option #1: Transferring your entire island.

Situation: This option is if you want to transfer all your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island data to a second system (and don’t plan on going back to your island on the original system).

For example, maybe you bought a Nintendo Switch Lite system and plan on giving your original Nintendo Switch system to your brother. While this is generous of you, you also don’t want to start over in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and lose access to your island and items! The solution is to perform a full island transfer and transfer it to your new system.

Important Note: This method requires both systems to have the Island Transfer Tool for Animal Crossing: New Horizons. This is a free download that you can search for in Nintendo eShop.

Option #2: Transferring individual player data.

Situation: This option is if you want to transfer an individual player from one island to a completely different island (on a different system).

For example, maybe you currently share an island with your sister. You’ve had some good times, but it’s now time to move off her island and onto a brand-new one. With this transfer method, she’ll keep the island and you’ll keep your character’s progress.

Important Note: You will need two Animal Crossing: New Horizons games and two systems for this to work. Also, a Resident Representative of an island cannot be transferred off that island using this method.

Ready to do a transfer? Great! Please check out the full step-by-step directions on our Consumer Service site. Also, don’t forget to bookmark this article if you need to refer to it later.