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Continuing Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch 2 After System Transfer via Local Communication (MT-10003)

Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo Switch - OLED Model

Follow these steps when you start playing Animal Crossing: New Horizons again after performing a system transfer via local communication from Nintendo Switch to Nintendo Switch 2.

Note: The first time you play Animal Crossing: New Horizons after transferring your data to Nintendo Switch 2 using local communication, the resident data for your island is not connected to any user accounts yet.

Before you start

If you already selected "Start fresh" when starting the game with your user, you'll need to delete your new resident data to follow these steps.

  • How to delete existing resident data
    1. Start Animal Crossing: New Horizons from the HOME Menu using the account linked to the resident that you want to delete.
    2. On the title screen, press the – Button (Settings). The title screen for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with a '(-) Settings' button in the bottom left corner.
    3. Select Save Data. Tom Nook asking what setting you want to change, with 'Save data' selected.
    4. Select Delete Resident Registration. Options for changing save data in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, with 'Delete resident registration' selected.
    5. Select Delete my own data. Tom Nook asking whose resident to delete, with 'Delete my own data' selected.
    6. Select Delete Resident RegistrationTom Nook confirming that you want to delete your resident registration, with 'Delete resident registration' selected., then Delete It. A prompt confirming that you want to delete your save data, with 'Delete it' selected.
    7. You will return to Timmy and Tommy to begin the process of creating a new resident.A screen with Timmy and Tommy starting the process to create a new resident in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Press the HOME Button and then the X Button to close the Animal Crossing: New Horizons software. A prompt to close the Animal Crossing: New Horizons software from the HOME Menu, with 'Close' selected.

    When you follow the steps below with this user, you will be prompted again whether to play using existing resident data or start fresh.

Complete these steps

  1. Start Animal Crossing: New Horizons on your Nintendo Switch 2 console and select the user account you will be using for your resident.
  2. You will be notified that there is existing data that is not linked to any user account. Select Next. A notification in Animal Crossing: New Horizons about existing resident data that is not linked to a user, with 'Next' selected.
  3. When asked if you would like to play using existing resident data, select Existing data. A prompt in Animal Crossing: New Horizons about linking your user to existing resident data or creating a new resident, with 'Existing data' selected.
  4. If there are multiple residents with existing unlinked data, select Display DataA prompt in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that there are multiple residents with unlinked data, with 'Display Data' selected., then select your resident name/icon. Selecting a user to play as  in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
    • You will be unable to change which resident data is linked to your user account later, so be sure to select the correct resident name.
  5. When prompted, select Yes to confirm and start playing again as your resident. A prompt in Animal Crossing: New Horizons confirming your resident selection, with 'Yes' selected.
  6. Select Close to continue playing. A prompt in Animal Crossing: New Horizons confirming your resident selection, with 'Close' selected.
  7. Repeat these steps for any other user accounts and residents that will be playing the game.

Additional information

A Nintendo Switch 2 Edition upgrade pack is available for this game to enhance your island experience.

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