Check out our guide on the how to use Island Backup & Restoration Service in Animal Crossing New Horizons (ACNH). Learn how to save and restore your island and more!!!
Table of Contents
What Is The Island Backup Restoration Service?
New Feature To Save Your Island Info
The Island Backup Restoration Service is a new feature introduced in version 1.4.0. With this feature, you can back up your data and restore your island if you somehow damage or lose your Switch. It will be available from July 30th.
Important Things To Note
Nintendo Switch Online Membership Required
In order to use this feature, you will need to have a Nintendo Switch Online (Paid) Membership. Learn more about this membership from the official website.
Can Only Restore In Emergency Cases
It will not be possible to simply restore your save date any time you wish. In order to successfully retrieve your data, you will need to directly contact the Nintendo Support Center when your Switch device malfunctions or breaks. Other emergency cases, such as loss or theft of your device also qualify.
Your Save Data May Be Rolled Back
When data restoration is carried out, there is a possibility that your data will return you to a point in time different than what you might expect.
You Can't Transfer Data To Different Devices Yet
This feature cannot be used to transfer your save data to a different device. The data transferring feature is expected to be available within this year.
Only 1 Player On Your Island Needs To Back Up
You don't have to back up your data with all playable accounts on your island. Just backup with one player and your whole island data will be saved.
How To Use Island Backup Restoration Service
How To Backup & Restore Data
| 1 | Update ACNH to Ver. 1.4.0 and activate the Island Backup Restoration Service in-game |
|---|---|
| 2 | Activate ACNH with your account with Nintendo Switch Online membership, press the "-" button on the title screen, and go to the settings |
| 3 | Talk to Tom Nook in the settings and select "Island backup". Then, select "Enable island backup" |
| 4 | The Island Backup Service will automatically upload your island and user data to the Nintendo Server |
| 5 | When your saved data is damaged or lost, you can download it again from the Nintendo Server |
| 6 | (Optional) If your device breaks, you can send your device to Nintendo Service Center to get it fixed and re-download your ACNH data from Nintendo's server |
2. Press "-" On The Title Screen
In order to enable the Island Backup Restoration, go to the title screen and press the "-" button.
4. Timestamp Of The Backup Will Be Displayed
Once you've enabled the Island Backup Restoration Service, your save data will be automatically uploaded to Nintendo's server periodically. You can see when your data has been backed up from the title screen.
You Can't Decide The Backup Timing
Note that you can't choose when your data will be backed up. Your data will be saved automatically when your internet-connected Switch is put into sleep mode.
5. How To Download Your Data
You can only download your backup data when your device is lost or broken. You need to contact Nintendo Service Center to fix your device.
What To Do After Your Device Is Fixed By Nintendo Service Center
| 1 | Connect your fixed Nintendo Switch to the internet |
|---|---|
| 2 | Update ACNH software to the latest version |
| 3 | Turn on ACNH and you'll see a black screen with the Nintendo logo in the top-left. Press and hold the "-" button on this screen |
| 4 | You'll see a message asking if you want to check for island data to restore. Select "Begin" |
Summer Update Guides
Summer Update Wave 2 Articles
| Summer Update Wave 2 Patch Notes | |
| Fireworks Show | Redd's Raffle |
| Luna & Dream Suite | Island Backup Restoration Service |
| Dreaming Guide | Dream Address Exchange Forum |
