Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a popular life simulation game filled with endless possibilities. However, some players may find themselves wanting a fresh start on their island. Resetting your island may seem daunting, but it’s actually a relatively straightforward process. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps on how to reset your ACNH island, so you can embark on a new adventure without losing your precious memories.
Before you proceed, it’s crucial to remember that resetting your island is a permanent action. Once you confirm the reset, your island’s progress, including your home, furniture, and villagers, will be erased. Therefore, it’s essential to back up your game data via Nintendo’s cloud backup service or by transferring it to another Nintendo Switch console if possible. This will allow you to retrieve your progress later if you change your mind.
Now that you’re prepared, let’s dive into the steps. Firstly, you’ll need to access the Resident Services building on your island. Once inside, approach Tom Nook and select the “I want to talk about my home” option. From there, choose “Moving out of this island” and confirm your decision. Tom Nook will provide you with a final summary of the consequences, emphasizing that all your progress will be lost. If you’re absolutely certain, select “Yes, I’m okay with that.” Please note that you won’t be able to recover your island after this point.
Preparing for the Reset Process
Resetting your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island is a significant step with far-reaching consequences. To ensure a smooth and successful transition, it’s crucial to meticulously prepare beforehand. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started:
1. Backing Up Your Save Data
Your island’s save data is the lifeblood of your game. Before initiating the reset process, it’s imperative to create a backup to preserve your precious belongings, hard-earned progress, and cherished memories. Here’s a detailed guide on how to back up your data:
On a Nintendo Switch console:
1. Go to “System Settings.”
2. Select “Data Management” and then “Save Data/Screenshot Management.”
3. Choose “Back Up Save Data.”
4. Select “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.”
5. Click “Back Up” to create a local backup on your console.
6. To create an online backup, ensure you have a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Select “Back Up Save Data” again and choose “Cloud Backup.”
On a microSD card:
1. Insert the microSD card that contains your Animal Crossing: New Horizons save data into your computer.
2. Use a file browser to locate the save file, which will have the extension “.sav.”
3. Copy the file to a safe location on your computer to create a backup.
| Platform | Backup Method |
|---|---|
| Nintendo Switch console | Local backup (on console) and Cloud backup (with Nintendo Switch Online membership) |
| microSD card | Manual file copying to a computer |
Backing Up Island Data
Before resetting your island, it’s crucial to ensure that all your precious memories and progress are safely preserved. Here’s a detailed guide on how to back up your island data:
1. Create a Save Backup
On your Nintendo Switch, navigate to the “System Settings” menu. Scroll down and select “Data Management,” followed by “Save Data.” Locate “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” and choose “Back Up Save Data.”
2. Back Up System Data
This step is recommended if you have multiple users sharing the same Nintendo Switch console. From the “Save Data” menu, select “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” again. This time, choose “Back Up System Data.” This will create a backup file that includes your island’s progress and other system settings.
3. Transfer to a USB Drive
Insert a USB drive into your Nintendo Switch. On the “Data Management” menu, select “Manage Software” and then “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” Choose “Save Data Cloud” and then “Back Up Save Data to USB Device.” Connect to the internet and follow the prompts to transfer your data to the USB drive.
Remember to check the date and time stamps on the backup files to ensure you have the most recent version of your island data.
Deleting the Island
To delete your island, you will need to go to the System Settings menu. From there, select the “Data Management” tab, then select “Delete Save Data”. You will then be prompted to select which user’s save data you want to delete. Select your user and then select “Delete”.
Please note that this process is irreversible. Once you have deleted your island, there is no way to recover it.
Backing Up Your Island Data
Before you delete your island, it is a good idea to back up your island data. This will allow you to restore your island if you ever change your mind.
To back up your island data, you will need to use the Nintendo Switch Online backup service. To do this, go to the System Settings menu and select the “Data Management” tab. Then, select “Cloud Backup” and enable the backup service. Your island data will then be automatically backed up to the cloud.
Restoring Your Island Data
If you ever want to restore your island data, you can do so by using the Nintendo Switch Online backup service. To do this, go to the System Settings menu and select the “Data Management” tab. Then, select “Cloud Backup” and select “Restore Save Data”. You will then be prompted to select which user’s save data you want to restore. Select your user and then select “Restore”.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Delete Island | Permanently removes your island and all of its data. |
| Back Up Island Data | Creates a backup of your island data that can be restored later. |
| Restore Island Data | Restores your island data from a backup. |
Retrieving Resident Services
Once you have deleted your island and created a new one, your Resident Services tent will be located in a different location. To find it, follow these steps:
- Walk around your island until you see a brown tent.
- Talk to the raccoon inside the tent. He will be either Tom Nook or Timmy and Tommy.
- Select the “I’m new here” option.
- Follow the prompts to create your character and name your island.
- Once you have completed the prompts, the raccoon will give you a tent and a set of tools. He will also tell you where your house will be located.
Choosing a Hemisphere and Island Type
The first step in resetting your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island is to choose a hemisphere and island type. Your choice of hemisphere will determine the seasons you experience, while your choice of island type will determine the layout of your island.
Hemispheres
| Northern Hemisphere | Southern Hemisphere |
|---|---|
|
Seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter |
Seasons: Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring |
The Northern Hemisphere experiences the traditional four seasons, while the Southern Hemisphere experiences seasons that are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere.
Island Types
There are four island types to choose from:
- Plains
- Forest
- Mountains
- River
Each island type has its own unique layout, with different amounts of land, water, and cliffs. You can see a preview of each island type before you make your final selection.
Inviting Villagers
Once you’ve completed the opening sequence of the game and have access to the island, you can start inviting villagers to move in. To do this, you’ll need to visit other islands and talk to potential villagers. If they like you enough, they’ll agree to move to your island. Here are some tips for inviting villagers:
- Talk to villagers on other islands. You can find villagers on other islands by using the Dodo Airlines service. Once you’re on another island, talk to the villagers and get to know them. If you’re lucky, they’ll ask you to move to your island.
- Send letters to villagers. You can also send letters to villagers to invite them to your island. To do this, go to the post office and select the “Write a letter” option. In the letter, be sure to tell the villager why you think they would be a good fit for your island.
- Use Amiibo cards. If you have Amiibo cards, you can use them to invite villagers to your island. To do this, go to the town hall and select the “Use Amiibo” option. Then, scan the Amiibo card of the villager you want to invite.
Once you’ve invited a villager to your island, they’ll arrive the next day. They’ll set up their house and become a permanent resident of your island.
Here is summarized information of how you can invite villagers in a table format:
| Method | How to do it |
|---|---|
| Talk to villagers on other islands | Use the Dodo Airlines service to visit other islands and talk to potential villagers. |
| Send letters to villagers | Go to the post office and select the “Write a letter” option. |
| Use Amiibo cards | Go to the town hall and select the “Use Amiibo” option. Then, scan the Amiibo card of the villager you want to invite. |
Rebuilding Infrastructure and Progress
Clear Out and Plan Your Island
Before starting, clear away any unwanted structures, trees, rocks, or paths. Decide on the overall layout and style you want for your new island, considering different areas for houses, shops, landscaping, and more.
Build Houses and Stores
Gather resources (wood, iron, stone) and visit resident services to build houses for your villagers and stores. Choose locations that complement your island’s layout and provide accessibility for your residents.
Restore Nook’s Cranny and the Able Sisters
These shops are essential for purchasing essential items and customizing your island’s appearance. Complete tasks for Tom Nook to unlock and upgrade these facilities.
Design Your Landscape
Create paths, plant trees, arrange flowers, and decorate your island to create a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing environment. Consider different themes, such as natural forests, village streets, or beachy vibes.
Utilize Bridges and Inclines
Build bridges and inclines to connect different levels of your island and provide easy access for your residents. These structures can also add visual interest and improve the flow of traffic.
Develop Your Museum
Donate fossils, bugs, and fish to Blathers at the museum to expand its collection. This not only adds educational value to your island but also unlocks rewards and unique exhibits.
Attract New Villagers
By clearing land and building houses, you create space for new villagers to move in. Invite amiibo villagers or search mystery islands to find the perfect residents for your island.
Progress in Resident Services
Tom Nook will assign you tasks to complete as you progress through the game. These milestones include paying off your initial loan, upgrading resident services, and reaching higher star ratings for your island.
Unlocking New Features
As your island develops, you’ll unlock new features, such as terraforming, using the custom design app, and customizing your character further. These features enhance your creativity and personalization options.
Encouraging Interaction
Visit other islands, participate in online events, and invite friends to interact with your island. Share custom designs, trade items, and celebrate the unique environment you’ve created.
How to Reset Your Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island
Animal Crossing: New Horizons has been out for a while now, and some players may be considering resetting their island. If you’re not happy with the way your island looks or feels, or if you’ve made some mistakes that you can’t undo, resetting your island may be the best option for you.
Here’s how to reset your Animal Crossing: New Horizons island:
1. Back up your save data. This is important in case something goes wrong and you need to restore your island. To back up your save data, go to the main menu and select “Settings.” Then, select “Data Management” and “Back Up Save Data.”
2. Delete your save data. Once you’ve backed up your save data, you can delete it. To do this, go to the main menu and select “Settings.” Then, select “Data Management” and “Delete Save Data.”
3. Restart the game. Once you’ve deleted your save data, restart the game. You’ll be asked to create a new character and choose a new island name.
