How to Play Multiplayer in Animal Crossing New Horizons

by enricofairme · Published March 20, 2020 10:59 AM · Updated January 20, 2025 8:40 AM

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, playing with friends or visiting other islands adds a whole new level of fun. Whether you’re hosting or visiting, the multiplayer features can seem a bit tricky to get started with. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about playing with others, from visiting friends’ islands to managing your multiplayer settings. Let’s dive into how to make the most of your island adventures with others!

How to Turn on Multiplayer

To get started, play through the game’s opening tutorial by gathering tree branches and apples, and then sleeping in your cot. This will sync you with the current in-game time. However, you must wait for one real-life day to pass before the Airport becomes available. You can either wait or adjust your system’s clock to speed things up.

Once a day has passed, Tom Nook will announce the opening of the Airport. Head there, and when you first interact with Orville, you’ll get the basics on multiplayer. There are two main multiplayer options:

I Wanna Fly (Visit): Travel to a friend’s island that’s hosting.
I Want Visitors (Host): Open your island to your friends.

You’ll also choose whether to play locally or online.

After your first visit, Orville will install the Best Friends List app on your NookPhone. This allows you to manage your multiplayer relationships. Make sure you’re careful about who you add as a “Best Friend,” as they’ll have significant control over your island, including the ability to terraform and chop down trees.

What is the Best Friends List?

The Best Friends List allows you to maintain a trusted group of players who have access to more features on your island, such as the ability to plant flowers, move furniture, and terraform. This list helps you manage who can impact your island, and it’s important to be selective. You’ll want to grant Best Friend status only to players you trust. You can manage this list by opening the Best Friends List app on your NookPhone.

How to Invite Friends to Your Island

While you can easily visit other players’ islands, inviting friends to your own island is another important feature. To invite friends, make sure your friends have added you via Nintendo Switch Friend Codes. After that, when you speak to Orville at the Airport, select “I want visitors,” and choose whether to invite via Local Play (if they’re nearby) or Online Play (if they’re farther away). Your friends will receive an invitation to your island.

How to Play Multiplayer Locally vs. Online

There are two main ways to play multiplayer:

Local Multiplayer: This allows you to play on a single Switch console with up to four players. You’ll need Joy-Con controllers or Pro controllers to participate. All players must be physically present with the console in the same room.
Online Multiplayer: This option lets you play with friends who are anywhere in the world. You’ll need an active Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access this mode. You can visit each other’s islands, help each other gather resources, and even trade items.

Handling Island Visitors

When you host visitors, keep in mind that anyone can pick up and drop items, but only Best Friends can do more substantial activities like moving furniture or terraforming. You can check who is visiting your island by opening the Dodo Airlines app and seeing a list of players.

What to Do When Things Go Wrong

Multiplayer in Animal Crossing is relatively smooth, but there are some things you may run into:

Disconnecting: If you disconnect while visiting another island, it’s often due to an unstable internet connection. Make sure your connection is stable.
Griefers: Some players may intentionally harm your island. It’s best to restrict access to your island or make someone a Best Friend if you trust them to avoid unwanted disruptions.

The Benefits of Multiplayer

Resource Sharing: You can exchange items, flowers, fish, and bugs with friends, making it easier to complete your museum or customize your island.
Island Improvement: Visitors can help you decorate and offer new ideas for designing your island.
Making Memories: Multiplayer adds a social aspect, allowing you to create lasting memories with friends while playing a peaceful and creative game.

That’s all there is to know about getting started with multiplayer in Animal Crossing New Horizons. While the multiplayer mode is a lot of fun, keep in mind that progress is still largely tied to the main player, so the experience may vary depending on who is hosting.

Looking to explore new islands and gather rare resources? Check out our how to take Special Tours guide for tips on making the most of your adventures! If you’re also looking to keep your island lush and vibrant, don’t forget to learn how to make a watering can to keep your plants happy.

What do you think about our guide? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.