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1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteTo time travel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, save and close the game, turn off the Nintendo Switch’s internet clock synchronization, change the console’s date and time, then reopen the game. This changes the Switch system clock—not an in-game setting. The steps and gameplay effects below are those described by Game8; Nintendo’s update notice confirms the current version context, not these mechanics.
How to time travel in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Save your game, then close Animal Crossing: New Horizons from the HOME menu.
- On the Switch, open System Settings > System > Date and Time.
- Turn off Synchronize Clock via Internet.
- Set the console to the date and time you want, in the past or the future.
- Launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons again.
These are the steps reported by Game8, whose guide result was last updated January 15, 2026. Nintendo’s official update notice identifies version 3.0.3, dated April 30, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2; it does not document or confirm the clock-changing procedure.
How the 5 AM reset affects your target time
Game8 says a new in-game day begins at 5 AM. A clock change does not necessarily move the game into a new day: for example, moving the console clock from 8 PM to 3 AM stays before the next 5 AM reset. When choosing a target, consider whether you want a different time of day or a new in-game day to begin.
How to time travel backwards
Game8 describes an additional sequence for backward travel. It is a method reported by that guide, not a Nintendo-confirmed rule.
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- Build your community from scratch on a deserted island brimming with possibility; Create your personal getaway and customize your character, home, decorations, and even the landscape itself
- Collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools. Then, use what you create to give your island a personal touch
- Watch as the time of day and seasons match real life—even your hemisphere. Each day holds potential for surprises and discoveries
- Get to know the island residents, garden, fish, decorate, hunt for fossils, and more.
- Show off your paradise – play on the same system with a total of 4 people, or play together online or over local wireless for fun with up to 8 players
- Save and close the game, then change the console clock to a date earlier than the date you ultimately want.
- Launch the game briefly so it can process that earlier date.
- Save and close the game again.
- Set the console clock forward to your intended date and time, then relaunch the game.
According to Game8, simply moving the clock backward may not update the displayed date until you advance to 5 AM on the following day. If the displayed date is not what you expect, account for that reset when deciding what date to use.
Why players change the clock
Game8 lists several timing-related reasons to time travel. It is optional; the guide says it is not necessary to play the game.
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- Share Your Paradise - Show off your island utopia to family and friends - or pack your bags and visit theirs.
- Get Building - Experience a robust new crafting system - collect materials to construct everything from furniture to tools!
- Create Your Perfect Getaway - Craft everything from tools to creature comforts as you create and customize your island community.
- Explore Your Island - Collect bugs, decorate your paradise throughout the day, or enjoy sunset on the beach while fishing in the ocean.
- Play Together - Up to eight players can reside on an island; four residents of the same island can play together simultaneously on a single system.
- Construction: move past the wait for a building project to finish.
- Time- or season-specific activities: reach an encounter or activity tied to a particular time or season.
- Resources and shops: refresh some resource drops or shop selections.
- Events: attend an event or reach an event unlock.
Possible effects and trade-offs
Game8 does not describe one broad formal penalty for time travel, but it warns that changing dates can affect the island and its residents. Consider these reported effects before changing the clock:
- Turnips: they can rot if you move beyond their storage life or travel backward.
- Unattended island: cockroaches may appear after an extended absence; flowers may spread and weeds may grow.
- Resident reactions: villagers may comment on a long absence. Game8 says this does not directly reduce friendship, though you may miss interactions.
Game8 recommends care with dates and says moving backward rather than forward is generally preferable if you decide to time travel. That is the guide’s recommendation, not a guarantee that backward travel avoids the effects above.
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- Take in-game photos of your designs and add them to your portfolio. Show them to other characters and you may get more requests to create vacation homes. Share the photos with other players using the in-game Showroom in the Happy Home Network app and they can tour your personally-designed resort islands or go tour theirs for some relaxation and inspiration.
- Purchase the Animal Crossing: New Horizons – Happy Home Paradise DLC from Nintendo eShop, or download and play it as part of an active Nintendo Switch Online plus Expansion Pack membership at no extra cost.
Which date should you choose?
Choose a direction and target that match your goal, while accounting for the 5 AM reset and the state of your island. For instance, a construction wait, a seasonal activity, and an event may call for different target dates; changing the clock can also affect turnips and what accumulates during an absence. Game8’s advice is to handle date changes carefully rather than treating every clock change as consequence-free.
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