This guide lists down all the game controls in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH). Read on to see the basic and useful controls in the game.

List of Basic Controls

These are the basic controls for the entirety of the game in New Horizons.

These controls will differ depending on the mode. For example, there is a different set of controls when using the Camera, or Decorating Mode inside your home.

Control	Action
A	Interact with characters and objects Use tool or item Move furniture (Press and hold A)
B	Cancel action
X	Open up pockets (Inventory)
Y	Pick up item
Left Control Stick	Move (Walk/Run)
Right Control Stick	Pan Camera (Outdoors) Rotate Camera (Indoors)
ZL	Use NookPhone
R	Chat with other players on the island
ZR	Use Reactions
↑	Open up the Tool Ring (Unlockable)
← or →	Switch between tools
↓	Store tool
-	Save and quit game
+	Switch between permits (When using the Island Designer app)
Capture	Take a screenshot Capture the last 30-second gameplay (Press and hold the Capture button)

Useful Controls for Gameplay

Switch Between Tools Interact with Item in Pockets Rotate/Pan Camera Use Reactions Chat With Other Players on the Island

Switch Between Tools

Control	Action
↑	Open up the Tool Ring (Unlockable)
← or →	Switch between tools
↓	Store tool

Use the ← and → directional buttons to easily switch between tools in the order inside your pocket. You can also press ↓ to quickly store a tool.

Get the Tool Ring ASAP!

The Tool Ring, as the game says, is essential to the game, as it lets you register up to 8 tools for easy access!
What Should You Spend Nook Miles on First? - Tool Ring: It's Essential

Interact with Item in Pockets

Control	Action
X	Open up pockets (Inventory)
A	Use tool or item

Each item has different functions; you can store items, eat fruits, wear flowers, and more!

Check out what you can do with an item by pressing X to open up your inventory, and browsing through your pocket using the left analog stick. Lastly, press A to select the item and see what you can do with them!

Pick up Items

Control	Action
Y	Pick up Item

If you see an item on the ground, or a piece of furniture, pick it up by pressing the Y button. This will be placed in your inventory.

If you don't have enough space, you will be asked if you want to swap it with another item in your inventory.

Rotate/Pan Camera

Control	Action
Right Control Stick	Pan Camera (Outdoors) Rotate Camera (Indoors)

Use right control stick outside to pan the camera so you can play from a ground level, or from a bird's eye view. You can use this to see shooting stars at night!

Indoors, you can rotate the camera instead to get a 180° view of a room.

How to Save Progress

Control	Action
-	Save and Quit

Safely save and quit your game using the - button. This will take you back to the main menu and is the only way to reliably save your game.

Use Reactions

Control	Action
ZR	Use Reactions

Reactions are fun to use when talking to friends or when taking photos! Once you unlock the Reaction feature, press ZR to open up the Reactions list and use the Reactions you have registered.

You can also press the Y button to see all the Reactions you've learned for you to try!
How to Unlock Reactions

Chat With Other Players on the Island

Control	Action
R	Chat with other players on the island

Chat with your friends by pressing R and typing out your message to them! If you miss it, you can always view messages sent through the Chat Log app from your NookPhone!

How to Use Tools

Net	Fishing Rod	Shovel	Axe
Slingshot	Ladder	Vaulting Pole	Wand

List of Tools

How to Use a Net

Press A to while holding a net to catch a bug in front of you. However, most bugs disappear when startled, so you can also press and hold A to creep up slowly to a bug and release the button to swing your net.
List of Nets

How to Use a Fishing Rod

When you see a fish shadow in rivers or the sea, hold your fishing rod, and press A in front of the water to cast a line.

Once the fish gets your bait, press A again to reel it in and catch a fish!
List of Fishing Rods

Throw Fish Bait

You can also craft Fish Baits using Manila Clams to spawn fish. Throw bait in front of the water to attract fish.

How to Use a Shovel

Dig up buried items on the ground like fossils or mushrooms using a shovel. While holding a shovel, press A to dig up a hole.

Use a shovel to bury an item, or plant trees, bushes, and flowers, as well as hit or break rocks with it.
List of Shovels

How to Use an Axe

The axe is used to gather materials such as wood, softwood, and hardwood from trees. While holding an axe, press A to chop a tree in front of you.

Be careful, though! When hitting a tree 3 times with an axe, you will chop down the tree!

Cannot chop trees	Can chop trees
Flimsy Axe	Axe
Stone Axe

List of Axes

How to Use a Slingshot

Use a slingshot to shoot down balloons and get presents! When you see a balloon floating by, take out your slingshot and press A to fire forward.
List of Slingshots

How to Use a Ladder

While holding a ladder, press A in front of a cliff to go up or down. This is pretty useful if you haven't built any inclines yet.
How to Get the Ladder | Ladder Recipe

How to Use a Vaulting Pole

A vaulting pole is extremely useful when crossing rivers that are not accessible by a bridge. To use it, simply hold the pole, and press A in front of the river to vault across.

How to Use a Wand

A new tool in New Horizons, you can use a wand to transform into outfits! Simply hold the wand and press A to view your registered outfits, and select one to transform into!
List of All Wands

Can Controls Be Changed?

As of April 13, 2020, the Nintendo Switch V10.0.0 system update added the option to change your controller button mapping. You can see more of the update patch notes on Nintendo's official site.

How to Change Button Mapping

From the Home screen, open up System Settings. Go down to Controllers and Sensors, and select Change Button Mapping. Select the controller you wish to remap. This is only compatible with Joy-Con Controllers, Pro Controllers, and the Nintendo Switch Lite. Remap the buttons inputs you need and you can save it as a preset.

Related Guides

All Tips & Tricks

System Info

System Info
Server Maintenance | How to Fix Errors	Island Backup and Restoration | How to Recover Save Data
How to Delete and Transfer Save Data	How to Add or Delete Players
How to Restart Your Game	Can You Transfer Data From Pocket Camp?
NookLink Features	List of amiibos and Compatibility
List of Controls	The Language Setting
System Requirements	Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online?
Island Transfer Tool Guide