How to Update Animal Crossing: New Horizons on Nintendo Switch

Keeping Animal Crossing: New Horizons fully updated ensures you have access to the latest events, bug fixes, and features that Nintendo adds over time. This guide walks through every reliable way to update the game, explains how automatic updates work on Nintendo Switch, and offers troubleshooting tips if a patch refuses to install.

While this article is inspired by existing guides, it presents an original explanation, alternative structure, and extra context so you can confidently manage updates and keep your island ready for new content.

Why Updating Animal Crossing: New Horizons Matters

Updates for New Horizons do more than fix bugs. They often:

• Introduce seasonal items and limited-time events
• Adjust game balance and quality-of-life features
• Correct glitches that can corrupt saves or cause crashes
• Improve compatibility with system updates on Nintendo Switch

Nintendo formalizes software updates through the Switch operating system, and the process is documented in its official support materials.^1,2 Staying current helps ensure you can visit other players online, as many multiplayer features require everyone to be on the same or a compatible version.

Understanding Version Numbers and Requirements

Every release of Animal Crossing: New Horizons has a version number (for example, Ver. 2.0.6). You can find this number in two places:

• On the game’s tile on the HOME Menu (after pressing the + or – Button)
• On the title screen after launching the game

Typically, you need:

• A stable internet connection (for online updates)
• Enough free storage space on your Nintendo Switch or microSD card
• The latest system update installed on your console for best compatibility

Checking Your Current Animal Crossing Version

Before you update, it helps to confirm which version you are running. To check:

1. Go to the HOME Menu on your Nintendo Switch.
2. Highlight the Animal Crossing: New Horizons icon, but do not start the game.
3. Press the + or – Button on your controller.
4. On the left, select Software Information.
5. Look for the Current Version line beneath the game title.

If the version number is lower than the latest one Nintendo has announced, proceed with one of the update methods below.

Method 1: Updating ACNH Directly from the HOME Menu

This is the most straightforward way to update the game and is based on Nintendo’s official procedures for software updates.¹

Step-by-step: Manual Update via the Internet

1. Ensure your Switch is connected to the internet.
   • Open System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings to confirm your network.
2. On the HOME Menu, highlight Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
3. Press the + or – Button.
4. Choose Software Update on the left-hand side.
5. Select Via the Internet.
6. Wait while the console checks for and downloads any available update.
7. When the download is complete, the patch will install automatically.

After installation, launch the game and verify that the version number on the title screen has changed.

Pros and Cons of Manual Internet Updates

• Advantages
  • Fast and direct when you have a good internet connection.
  • Ensures you always get the newest version straight from Nintendo servers.
  • Does not require a second console or physical cartridge swapping.
• Limitations
  • Requires an active network connection and access to Nintendo’s online services.
  • Can be slow on unstable Wi‑Fi or limited bandwidth.

Method 2: Using Local Communication to Match Versions

If you are playing with friends or family locally and one console has a different version of the game, Nintendo allows you to synchronize software versions using Local Communication. This method is particularly useful when only one device can reach the internet reliably.^1,2

When Local Communication Helps

Use local communication when:

• One Switch is fully updated and another is not.
• You cannot connect both consoles to the internet at the same time.
• You want all consoles in a household to run the same ACNH version for local multiplayer.

Steps to Update via Local Communication

1. Place both Nintendo Switch consoles near each other.
2. On the console that has the latest version of ACNH, highlight the game on the HOME Menu and press + or –.
3. Select Software Update.
4. Choose Match Version with Local Users.
5. Follow the on-screen instructions to create a group.
6. On the second console (the one that needs updating), repeat the same steps and join the group.
7. Allow the update data to transfer; the time required depends on the size of the patch.

This method copies update data between consoles but still respects digital licenses. Each console still needs its own legitimate copy of the game.

How Automatic Updates Work for ACNH

Your Nintendo Switch can automatically download updates for installed software if you enable Automatic Software Updates. This feature is described in detail in Nintendo’s general support documentation.²

Enabling Automatic Software Updates

1. From the HOME Menu, open System Settings.
2. Scroll down and select System.
3. Look for Auto-Update Software and make sure it is On.

With this enabled, your console will attempt to download patches for Animal Crossing: New Horizons and other games while in sleep mode, as long as it has an internet connection.

When Automatic Updates Might Not Trigger

Even with auto-updates enabled, you might occasionally find ACNH out of date. Common reasons include:

• The console lost its Wi‑Fi connection during the download.
• You have not put the console into sleep mode for long enough for background downloads.
• Insufficient storage space prevented the update from installing.
• A parental control setting is limiting online communication.

In these situations, fall back to the manual update method from the HOME Menu.

Preparing Your Island Before Major Updates

Large updates sometimes add new mechanics, buildings, or seasonal features. While you do not need to prepare to receive a patch, a bit of planning can help you enjoy new content immediately.

Back Up Your Save with Nintendo Switch Online

Nintendo offers an island backup feature for Animal Crossing: New Horizons as part of Nintendo Switch Online.³ This protects your island against console loss, theft, or damage.

To turn on island backup (if available in your region and account):

• Launch ACNH and go to the title screen.
• Press – to talk to Tom Nook about settings.
• Look for Island Backup or similar wording and follow the prompts.

Note that this is different from cloud saves used by other games; Animal Crossing uses its own backup system with some limitations documented by Nintendo.³

Free Up Storage Space

Updates require free space on either the console’s internal memory or the microSD card where the game is installed. If your update fails unexpectedly, check available storage:

1. Open System Settings > Data Management.
2. View Manage Software to see how much space ACNH and other titles use.
3. Archive or delete games you are not actively playing, or remove unused screenshots and videos.

Gather Bells and Nook Miles for New Content

Many major updates add items that cost Bells or Nook Miles. While not strictly necessary for the update itself, having a stockpile ready lets you:

• Buy new furniture, clothes, or seasonal items immediately.
• Place new public works or decorative features without delay.
• Use Nook Miles to quickly unlock new recipes or travel options introduced in updates.

Troubleshooting Common Update Problems

If Animal Crossing: New Horizons refuses to update or throws an error, work through the following checklist. These tips are drawn from official Nintendo troubleshooting guidelines for software and connection issues.^2,4

1. The Update Won’t Start or Stalls

If the progress bar does not move or the update never begins:

• Restart your Switch:
  • Hold the Power button for a few seconds, select Power Options, then Restart.
• Reconnect to Wi‑Fi:
  • Check System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings and run a Connection Test.
• Try the update again from the HOME Menu using Software Update > Via the Internet.

2. Insufficient Storage Space Error

If you see a message about not having enough space:

• Open System Settings > Data Management.
• Archive unused software or move data to a bigger microSD card.
• Delete extra screenshots and recorded videos if they are consuming significant storage.

After freeing space, retry the update.

3. Update Installed but Version Still Looks Old

Occasionally, players think the update has not applied because features are missing. To verify:

1. Check the Current Version on the HOME Menu under Software Information.
2. Confirm that you are checking after the installation completes (not during download).
3. Make sure you are not using a different profile or a different copy of the game on another console.

If the version number is correct but new features are not visible, you may need to progress in-game (for example, completing introductory tasks) before certain additions unlock.

4. Online Play Doesn’t Work After Updating

Online multiplayer requires both the game and the console firmware to be up to date, along with an active Nintendo Switch Online membership.⁵ If you cannot visit another island after updating:

• Update your console firmware in System Settings > System > System Update.
• Check your Nintendo Switch Online subscription status in the Nintendo eShop.
• Make sure your friend has also updated their copy of the game to a compatible version.

Digital vs. Physical Copies: Does It Change the Update Process?

Whether you own Animal Crossing: New Horizons digitally or on a physical game card, the update process is almost identical:

• Digital version
  • Game and updates reside on internal storage or microSD card.
  • Updates are downloaded automatically or manually via the internet.
• Physical game card
  • The base game is stored on the cartridge, but updates download to the console storage.
  • You still update via the internet or local communication as described above.

The main practical difference is that with the physical version, you must insert the correct cartridge before trying to update the game.

Keeping Track of Future Animal Crossing Updates

To stay informed about upcoming patches and in-game events, you can monitor several official channels:

• Nintendo’s official website for news and patch announcements.^4,5
• In-game notifications when major updates are made available.
• System notifications on your Nintendo Switch when downloads start or finish.

Paying attention to these sources ensures you are ready for seasonal celebrations, crossover collaborations, and any quality-of-life improvements that get added to New Horizons over time.

ACNH Update FAQ

Do I need Nintendo Switch Online to update Animal Crossing?

No, you do not need a paid Nintendo Switch Online membership to download updates. You only need an internet connection. However, Switch Online is required for most online multiplayer features and island backups.^3,5

Can I play offline without updating?

Yes, you can launch the game offline without installing the latest patch, but you might miss seasonal content, and you will not be able to play online with friends who have a newer version.

How big are Animal Crossing updates?

Patch sizes vary. Some minor bug fixes are relatively small, while major content updates can be several hundred megabytes. Ensure you have at least a few gigabytes of free space to avoid storage issues.

Will updating delete my island or save data?

Game updates are designed to preserve your save data. They patch the software, not your island. That said, enabling Nintendo’s island backup feature provides an extra safety net in case of hardware failure or console loss.³

What if my download stops partway through?

If the download pauses or fails, check your internet connection, restart the console, and try again from Software Update > Via the Internet. Persistent issues could indicate a network problem that needs troubleshooting through your router or with your internet provider.