How to Uninstall Animal Crossing and Start New
Animal Crossing is a beloved life simulation video game where players can collect resources, craft items, and decorate their virtual dream home. While the game can be enjoyable, players may sometimes want to uninstall and start anew. Fortunately, there are several methods to accomplish this.
Clearing Save Data
Warning: Uninstalling the game without clearing the save data can result in loss of progression and inventory.
To reset your game, you must clear the save data by following these steps:
Method 1: Use the Switch Menu
- Go to the Switch menu and select System Settings.
- Scroll down to Data Management and select it.
- Navigate to Delete Save Data and choose Delete All Save Data for Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
- Confirm deletion by selecting Delete.
Method 2: Reset Your Island and Characters
- Access Animal Crossing: New Horizons settings by visiting the in-game Residents Services and selecting the Island Settings option.
- Choose to Reset Your Island and Characters and confirm that you want to delete everything.
Reinstall and Start New
Once the save data has been deleted, you can reinstall Animal Crossing: New Horizons on your Switch and start a new adventure.
Will I lose my progress if I transfer my data to a new Switch?
Warning: Transfering your saved data to a new Switch will erase any progress and inventory you’ve made so far.
Animal Crossing is designed to save data in the game, so no data transfer is necessary, and all progress will remain intact on your original device.
Transferring Data Between Devices
Some players might wonder if transferring their Animal Crossing data from one device to another possible. According to Nintendo support, this feature is unavailable for Animal Crossing: New Horizons:
- No data transferability between Switch systems is not supported.
However, with the option to archive users on Switch, players are allowed to continue playing a game even after a deleted user’s profile. Read on for more information.