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
This survey will take about 1 minute.
Your answers will help us to improve our website.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH)
Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online?
A Nintendo Switch Online (NSO) subscription is not required to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons (ACNH) but can enhance gameplay via online access and more. See all the online features here to see if you need NSO to play the game.
List of Contents
Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online to Play ACNH?
Not Required to Play ACNH
A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is not required to play Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Most features can be played without a subscription, including multiplayer, which is still accessible through local play.
However, for the full experience, online multiplayer is recommended, especially since the Switch 2 Edition will introduce several new features that improves multiplayer gameplay.
How to Play Online Multiplayer with Friends
Nintendo Switch Online Features
The Switch 2 Edition also introduces several online multiplayer features that enhance the multiplayer experience. For example, up to 12 visitors can now come to your island, and Switch 2-exclusive features like GameChat and CameraPlay will also be available with the update.
Here is a list of the features in ACNH that are only accessible if you have an online subscription:
Online Multiplayer
The main purpose of online multiplayer features is social interaction. This allows you to invite visitors or host your own island and take part in activities such as trading or helping with simple tasks like decorating.
Upgrade to Switch 2 Edition to Access New Online Multiplayer Expansion
The Switch 2 Edition also introduces several online multiplayer features that enhance the multiplayer experience. For example, up to 12 visitors can now come to your island, and Switch 2 exclusive features like GameChat and CameraPlay will also be available with the update.
Switch 2 Edition New Features and Upgrade Price
Use the Custom Designs Portal
You can also get a variety of patterns from the Custom Designs Portal. These patterns can be used to create custom paths, clothes, and other designs to further personalize your island.
The Custom Designs Portal can be accessed at the Tailor's. You can also upload your own patterns for everyone to use!
Download Custom Designs from Phone
For personal designs or scanning designs through QR codes, you also need an online connection to download them. To do this, first make sure that your island is connected to the Nintendo Switch App. Open Animal Crossing: New Horizons from the app and scan the QR code.
Afterward, open the game and access the Custom Designs App on your NookPhone, then press the minus button (–) to download the design.
How to Get Custom Designs Patterns+
Use the Dream Suite
Introduced in the 1.4 update, Dream Islands are a way to explore other people's islands without affecting the island itself.
In Version 3.0 Luna’s Dream Suite receives an upgrade called Luna’s New Dream World. With this feature, you can create up to three different dream islands with your friends.
Nintendo Online Exclusive Items
Some in-game items can only be obtained from online services, such as the Nook Inc. Silk Rug and the Nintendo Switch Lite model.
List of All Items and Furniture
Can You Play ACNH Offline?
Local Multiplayer
If you’re playing with friends nearby, local multiplayer allows you enjoy most multiplayer features without going online, such as trading items, such as trading items and using reactions to name a few.
Party Play Guide: Playing on One Switch
Online Updates
Although this requires an online connection, updating your Animal Crossing game will introduce new content that is only accessible through updates. Version 3.0, for example, adds more features and quality-of-life improvements to enhance your experience.
How to Get Nintendo Switch Online
Purchase from the Nintendo eShop
If you wish to discover how to get a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription, be sure to click on our guide below!
How to Get a Nintendo Switch Online Subscription
Related Guides
System Info
Author
Do You Need Nintendo Switch Online?
Please participate in our site
improvement survey
01/2026
improvement survey
01/2026
Would you assist in
improving Game8's site?
improving Game8's site?
×
We are listening to our users' valuable opinions and discussing how to act on them.
The information collected through this survey will be used for the purpose of improving our services. In addition, the information will only be disclosed a part of a statistic in a format that will not allow identification of personal information.
Begin Survey
Not Now
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Advertisements.
Amount of Ads
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Placement of Ads
Timing of Ad Display
Ad Loading Speed
Safeness of Ads
Content of Ads
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Quality of Articles.
Amount of information
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Frequency of updates
Speed of new information
Accuracy of articles
Understandibility of articles
Readability of sentences
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Usability of the Site.
Ease of finding information
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Loading Speed
Use of Color
Font Size
Visibility of Images
Easy to Understand Layout
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Message Boards, Comments.
Ease of Writing
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Readability
Ease in Finding Information
Comment Quality
Comment Quantity
Admin Response
×
Please rate each item regarding Game8.co's Site's new design.
Please rate our site's new design
Very Dissatisfied
Somewhat Dissatisfied
Fine
Somewhat Satisfied
Highly Satisfied
Do you think that the website's design change makes the site easier to use?
Has the new design made it easier for you to find information on the site?
Has the new design improved the overall visual appeal of the site?
How would you rate your overall satisfaction with the new design of the site?
×
How likely are you to recommend Game8 to someone you know?
Very Unlikely
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Very Likely
If you have other opinions regarding potential improvement to the website, please share them with us. We would appreciate your honest opinion.
Note: This is a free response section, so you can proceed without entering anything.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.
Note: Please be sure not to enter any kind of personal information into your response.
×
Thank You
×
Thank you for participating in our survey! Your answers will help us to improve the quality of our website and services.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.
We hope you continue to make use of Game8.
Close
Rankings
Gaming News
Popular Games
Genshin Impact Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Zenless Zone Zero Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Umamusume: Pretty Derby Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Wuthering Waves Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Digimon Story: Time Stranger Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Legends: Z-A Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Where Winds Meet Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon TCG Pocket (PTCGP) Strategies & Guides Wiki
Monster Hunter Wilds Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Recommended Games
Fire Emblem Heroes (FEH) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Diablo 4: Vessel of Hatred Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Monster Hunter World Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl (BDSP) Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Persona 3 Reload Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition Walkthrough & Guides Wiki
All rights reserved
©2020 Nintendo
The copyrights of videos of games used in our content and other intellectual property rights belong to the provider of the game.
The contents we provide on this site were created personally by members of the Game8 editorial department.
We refuse the right to reuse or repost content taken without our permission such as data or images to other sites.
Frosted Flakes available