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How to Use amiibo Figures and Cards (Animal Crossing: New Horizons)

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

Follow these steps to scan amiibo figures and cards in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

Complete these steps

Start the Animal Crossing: New Horizons software from the HOME Menu, then follow the steps below for how you want to use the amiibo:

  • Invite a character to visit your island's campsite
    1. Visit the Resident Services building and interact with the Nook Stop.
    2. Select Invite a camper.
    3. Select Yes, I do!
    4. Touch the amiibo to the NFC touchpoint. If this is the first time scanning this amiibo, you'll also need to register a nickname and owner for it.
      • Where is the NFC touchpoint on my controller?
        • On the Joy-Con 2, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick. Amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Joy-Con 2 (R) Right Stick
        • On the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo at the top-center of the controller. amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
        • On the Joy-Con, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick.
          • Note: Joy-Con controllers can only be used wirelessly with Nintendo Switch 2.
        • On the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch logo at the top-center of the controller.
          • Note: The NFC touchpoint on Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are turned off when using a wired connection.
    5. If the amiibo you scanned can be used for multiple characters, select the one you want to contact.
    6. After a short conversation, you can invite them to visit the campsite.

    Note: If you want the character to move to your island, you will need to invite them to the campsite multiple times and continue interacting with them.

  • Invite a character to the Roost
    1. Visit the museum on your island, and walk upstairs to the Roost.
    2. Interact with the amiibo Call Center.
    3. Select Yes!
    4. Touch the amiibo to the NFC touchpoint. If this is the first time scanning this amiibo, you'll also need to register a nickname and owner for it.
      • Where is the NFC touchpoint on my controller?
        • On the Joy-Con 2, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick. Amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Joy-Con 2 (R) Right Stick
        • On the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo at the top-center of the controller. amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
        • On the Joy-Con, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick.
          • Note: Joy-Con controllers can only be used wirelessly with Nintendo Switch 2.
        • On the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch logo at the top-center of the controller.
          • Note: The NFC touchpoint on Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are turned off when using a wired connection.
    5. If the amiibo you scanned can be used for multiple characters, select the one you want to contact.
    6. The game will ask if you are sure this is the character you are trying to invite. Select Yes, I am.
    7. The character will appear in the Roost for you to interact with.
  • Invite a character to the Photopia photo studio
    1. Visit the airport on your island, and talk to Orville.
    2. Select I wanna fly!
    3. Select Visit Harv's island.
    4. Enter the photo studio and go to the room you'd like to take photos in.
    5. Press Down on the directional buttons or +Control Pad.
    6. Touch the amiibo to the NFC touchpoint. If this is the first time scanning this amiibo, you'll also need to register a nickname and owner for it.
      • Where is the NFC touchpoint on my controller?
        • On the Joy-Con 2, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick. Amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Joy-Con 2 (R) Right Stick
        • On the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo at the top-center of the controller. amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
        • On the Joy-Con, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick.
          • Note: Joy-Con controllers can only be used wirelessly with Nintendo Switch 2.
        • On the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch logo at the top-center of the controller.
          • Note: The NFC touchpoint on Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are turned off when using a wired connection.
    7. If the amiibo you scanned can be used for multiple characters, select the one you want to appear.
    8. The character will appear in the photo studio for you to dress up and set reactions for pictures.
  • Invite a character to a vacation home in the Happy Home Paradise DLC

    Note: You must have access to the Happy Home Paradise DLC to invite a character to a vacation home.

    1. Visit the airport on your island, and talk to Orville.
    2. Select I want to go to work.
    3. Select Time for takeoff!
    4. After landing, visit the Paradise Planning office and interact with the amiibo scanner.
    5. Lottie will ask if you want to make some calls. Select Yes!
    6. Interact with the amiibo scanner again and select Contact someone.
    7. Touch the amiibo to the NFC touchpoint. If this is the first time scanning this amiibo, you'll also need to register a nickname and owner for it.
      • Where is the NFC touchpoint on my controller?
        • On the Joy-Con 2, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick. Amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Joy-Con 2 (R) Right Stick
        • On the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo at the top-center of the controller. amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
        • On the Joy-Con, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick.
          • Note: Joy-Con controllers can only be used wirelessly with Nintendo Switch 2.
        • On the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch logo at the top-center of the controller.
          • Note: The NFC touchpoint on Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are turned off when using a wired connection.
    8. If the amiibo you scanned can be used for multiple characters, select the one you want to contact.
    9. The game will ask if you are sure this is the character you are trying to connect with. Select Yes.
    10. After a short conversation, the character will visit and you can begin planning their vacation home.
  • Invite a character to a VIP room at the resort hotel
    1. Visit the hotel on your island, and interact with the amiibo scanner.
    2. Select Yes.
    3. Touch the amiibo to the NFC touchpoint. If this is the first time scanning this amiibo, you'll also need to register a nickname and owner for it.
      • Where is the NFC touchpoint on my controller?
        • On the Joy-Con 2, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick. Amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Joy-Con 2 (R) Right Stick
        • On the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo at the top-center of the controller. amiibo being touched to the NFC touch point of the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
        • On the Joy-Con, the NFC touchpoint is located on the right control stick.
          • Note: Joy-Con controllers can only be used wirelessly with Nintendo Switch 2.
        • On the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller, the NFC touchpoint is located over the Nintendo Switch logo at the top-center of the controller.
          • Note: The NFC touchpoint on Nintendo Switch Pro Controllers are turned off when using a wired connection.
    4. If the amiibo you scanned can be used for multiple characters, select the one you want to invite.
    5. After a short conversation, you can plan the theme for the room and begin designing it.

Additional information

  • For more details on compatible amiibo figures and cards, please visit the following pages:
  • For specific details on how to unlock each of the amiibo scanning features, we recommend looking up a guide or walkthrough online.
  • After scanning an amiibo, a poster of the character will be available for purchase through Nook Shopping. Some amiibo also unlock additional Promotion items for purchase:
    • If you scan an amiibo card from the Sanrio Collaboration Pack, a set of Sanrio-themed items for that character will become available.
    • If you scan any The Legend of Zelda or Splatoon series amiibo figure, sets of various items inspired by the respective series will become available.

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