Nintendo recently released version 1.4.0 for Animal Crossing: New Horizons, which adds the long-awaited save data backup feature.
Players who have updated their copy of New Horizons to the latest version can enable the save data backup feature from the game’s title screen by pressing the “-” key. They can then ask Tom Nook to help walk them through the process of setting up the backup.
Save data backup explained
That said, the player must have an active Nintendo Switch Online membership in order to use the feature. The game also reiterates several times that save restoration is only allowed in cases where the system has been “lost, stolen or damaged”.
As for actually restoring the game from a backup, things are not quite that simple:
- If the player had their damaged Switch repaired at the Nintendo Service Center and found their save data missing, they can restore their Animal Crossing data by starting the game, then pressing and holding “-” before they see Timmy and Tommy at the reception desk.
They will then be asked to check and select which island data they wish to restore.
- If the player has lost their Switch, or had it repaired somewhere other than the Nintendo Service Center, they will have to contact Nintendo Customer Support in order to retrieve their data.
It should be noted that this save data backup feature is not meant to be used for transferring data between systems, and there will apparently be a separate tool for that released sometime in the future.
But it’s a start.
Full Nintendo explanation
If you’re interesting in reading Nintendo’s full explanation of Animal Crossing: New Horizons‘ save data backup feature, you can read their FAQ here; https://www.nintendo.com.au/help/animal-crossing-new-horizons-frequently-asked-questions-and-island-save-data
