Save Data and Multiplayer Support FAQ (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)
General Questions
- How many players can share a single island?
- How many users can play together?
- When multiple players live on one island, does everyone have access to the same places and items?
- Is there a way to create multiple islands?
- If I purchase a second system, can I transfer the save file (island data) to a different console?
- Is this game compatible with Save Data Cloud?
How many players can share a single island?
Up to eight players can live on one shared island, using the same Nintendo Switch system, and one game.
How many users can play together?
Up to eight players can live on the same island within each game. With one Nintendo Switch system and one game, up to four people can play on the same island simultaneously (additional accessories required).
Additionally, up to eight people can play together on one island via local wireless or online play. Local wireless play and online play require one system and one game per player. For online play, a Nintendo Switch Online membership (sold separately) and Nintendo Account are required.
When multiple players live on one island, does everyone have access to the same places and items?
There are some tasks on the island that the Resident Representative (first resident on the island) must complete before the related features will be open to other players. For example, only the Resident Representative can receive and set up Blathers’ museum tent. Once the tent is in place, all island residents can donate items to the museum.
It is not possible to reassign the Resident Representative role to another player. If certain places or items in the game aren’t available for island residents, have the Resident Representative progress to the point where the item or feature is available for them, then try again.
Is there a way to create multiple islands?
You can only create one island per Nintendo Switch system, even if you use multiple games. A different system is required to create a different island.
The island save data is saved on the Nintendo Switch system, so there will only be one island (save file), even if different games are used on the same system.
If I purchase a second system, can I transfer the save file (island data) to a different console?
Animal Crossing: New Horizons does not support the ability to transfer your save file from one Nintendo Switch system to another.
Is this game compatible with Save Data Cloud?
This game does not support the Save Data Cloud functionality of Nintendo Switch Online. However, the ability to recover Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data from the server in the event of console failure, loss or theft will be available to Nintendo Switch Online members later this year.