To use an amiibo in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, open the scanner for the destination you want, then tap a compatible card or figure to your controller’s NFC touchpoint when the game prompts you. The route depends on whether you want to invite a camper, visit The Roost, stage a photo, or design a room.
Find your controller’s NFC touchpoint
Nintendo’s instructions cover Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite, and Nintendo Switch OLED Model. Tap the amiibo to the NFC reader on the controller you are using:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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42Pcs NFC Mini Villager Cards with Storage Box | $29.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nintendo Animal Crossing Amiibo Cards - Series 5 | $18.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
40Pcs NFC Animal Small Cards | $28.89 | Buy on Amazon |
- Joy-Con and Joy-Con 2: the right stick.
- Nintendo Switch Pro Controller: the area over the Nintendo Switch logo. NFC is disabled while this controller is connected by wire.
- Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller: the area over the Nintendo Switch 2 logo.
If a card or figure is making contact but the game does not respond, check that you are tapping the correct controller area and that the game has prompted you to scan. See Nintendo’s amiibo instructions for the supported hardware and touchpoints.
Choose the scanner for the destination
Use the in-game scanner for the place or feature you want. For a first scan, the game asks you to register a nickname and owner. If an amiibo can represent more than one character, select the character you want when prompted.
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- 🎮🎁NFC MINI Cards can be reused indefinitely. You can share cards with friends (once a day for one device).
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Invite a character to the campsite
- Go to Resident Services and interact with the Nook Stop.
- Choose Invite a camper and confirm.
- Scan the amiibo when prompted. After a short conversation, the character can visit the campsite.
A campsite visit does not automatically make the character an island resident. Nintendo says you must invite the character to the campsite multiple times and continue interacting with them if you want them to move to the island.
Invite a character to The Roost
- Go upstairs to The Roost in the museum.
- Interact with the amiibo Call Center and confirm.
- Scan the card or figure, then select a character if the amiibo represents more than one.
Use a character in Photopia
- Fly to Harv’s Island and enter the photo studio.
- Go to a room and press Down on the directional buttons or +Control Pad.
- Scan the amiibo when prompted. You can place the character in the studio, dress them, and assign reactions for photos.
Invite someone to a Happy Home Paradise vacation home
This feature requires access to the Happy Home Paradise DLC. Go to work through the airport, visit the Paradise Planning office, and use its amiibo scanner. Choose Contact someone, scan the amiibo, and select the character.
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- Set includes a random selection of Animal Crossing characters plus 1 Special Character.
- Use Animal Crossing amiibo figures and cards to unlock customizations like costumes for your amiibo characters and new houses for your board game village.
- Use an amiibo card in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game and to invite a character to your campsite or to Harvey's Photopia!
- For use with Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL and Nintendo 2DS systems, a Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer accessory is required to tap in amiibo Cards or amiibo figures.
Design a resort hotel VIP room
Visit the resort hotel and interact with its amiibo scanner. Confirm, scan the amiibo, choose a character if prompted, and plan the room theme.
Check what your amiibo can do
Compatibility depends on the character and the destination; an amiibo that works for one feature may not work for another. Nintendo lists Animal Crossing amiibo cards from Series 1–5, Sanrio amiibo cards, and current Animal Crossing amiibo figures for Roost visits. Special NPCs—including those on Series 5 cards—can be invited to The Roost, but cannot be invited to the campsite or live on your island. Regular NPCs can be invited to both the Roost and campsite. Check Nintendo’s Animal Crossing amiibo catalog for character-specific compatibility.
Rank #3
- 40Pcs NFC animal small cards.
- NFC small card size: 1.26"L x 0.85"W.
- Clear pattern printing and built-in chip, with a waterproof surface material.
Scanning an amiibo also makes that character’s poster available through Nook Shopping. A Sanrio Collaboration Pack card makes Sanrio-themed items for that character available; scanning a The Legend of Zelda or Splatoon series figure makes items inspired by the corresponding series available.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know what Happy Home Paradise requires
Happy Home Paradise is sold separately, and Nintendo’s FAQ says the full Animal Crossing: New Horizons game is required to play it. Nintendo states that version 3.0.0 became available on January 15, 2026, with additional content and features for all players; that update does not change the separate DLC requirement for the vacation-home amiibo route. See Nintendo’s Happy Home Paradise and version 2.0.0 FAQ and the New Horizons feature page.
Quick Recap
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