Name: How to transfer your Animal Crossing island to Nintendo Switch 2
Uploaded: 2026-01-17T14:00:56.205Z
Duration: 3 min 8 s
Description: If you’re playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons and want to transfer your island to a new Nintendo Switch system—whether that’s a Switch Lite, a second Switch, or a Nintendo Switch 2—this guide walks you through the entire process step by step.

If you’re playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons and want to transfer your island to a new Nintendo Switch system—whether that’s a Switch Lite, a second Switch, or a Nintendo Switch 2—this guide walks you through the entire process step by step.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons players can move their island data from one Nintendo Switch system to another, including the Nintendo Switch 2, by following a specific transfer process. The guide details the necessary steps, such as updating the game, downloading the Save Data Transfer tool, and using both the source and target systems to complete the transfer.

The process ensures that all buildings, residents, and player data are preserved on the new device. Users are advised to follow the instructions carefully, especially during initial setup on a new Switch 2, and can repeat the process for future transfers if needed.

How to transfer your Animal Crossing island to Nintendo Switch 2

If you're playing Animal Crossing New Horizons and are interested in transferring your island data from one Switch system to another, such as to your portable-only Nintendo Switch Lite, an entirely separate Nintendo Switch system, or a Nintendo Switch 2 system in preparation of the recent update, then you may have questions regarding the overall process. Fortunately, we have a step-by-step guide on the data transfer process between these devices, so that you may continue your island life on any Nintendo Switch system with comfort and ease. Real quick for Nintendo Switch 2 players, first-time users of the Nintendo Switch 2 will also be able to perform an overall system transfer whenever you boot it up for the first time. This can also only be done during your first time booting up the Switch 2 console, and if you've already completed this process, then all of your save data, including your Animal Crossing New Horizons island, will function on your new device as they did previously. Then, when you boot up the Switch 2 edition of the game, you may be asked if you want to continue as a resident of your previous island or start fresh. Now then, if you're still aiming to transfer your island data and you've never used this feature previously, then continue onward for instructions. In this process, there will be two Nintendo Switch systems, your original Switch or Switch 2 device with your already existing Animal Crossing island data, referred to as your Source Switch, and your new Switch or Switch 2 device that shall soon receive your Animal Crossing data, your Target Switch. Follow these steps. Make sure that Animal Crossing New Horizons is updated to the latest software version on your Switch. Download the Save Data Transfer tool for Animal Crossing New Horizons on your Source system if you haven't already. Transfer the user data for your user account to the Target Nintendo Switch system. This will transfer all information and save data except for Animal Crossing New Horizons to the Target system. Note that you'll need to repeat this step for each user account. If you're transferring all user accounts, a default account named User will remain on the Source system. On the Target system, update Animal Crossing New Horizons to the latest software version. On the Target system, download the Save Data Transfer tool for Animal Crossing New Horizons. Open the Save Data Transfer tool on each system. Follow the on-screen instructions and select Continue, then Let's Begin. Select Yes to confirm when the name of your island on the Source system is displayed. Note that if Animal Crossing New Horizons has not been updated to the latest software version, your console nickname will be displayed instead of your island name. On the Source system, select Continue. On the Target system, select Proceed. On the Target system, select Proceed. When the Source system is detected, select Proceed on the Target system. The transfer will begin. When the transfer is complete, a message will appear on both systems. The save data is now deleted on the Source system and present on the Target system. You can now launch Animal Crossing New Horizons on the Target system to continue playing on your island. Ta-da! There you have it. You're now all set to play Animal Crossing New Horizons on your Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2 system. Your buildings, residents, and player data should all remain intact from your previous play sessions. And if you ever need to transfer your data again, then you need only to repeat these same steps. So enjoy your island experience. And for all other guides and walkthroughs for Animal Crossing and more, please be sure to check out our gaming content over on IGN.

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