First, decide what you mean by “resident”: another human player joins your existing island through a separate Switch user profile, while an animal villager is invited through the campsite. One Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch can have up to eight player residents on its island; inviting an animal uses a different process.
Add another human player to your island
Each Nintendo Switch 2 or Nintendo Switch system supports one Animal Crossing: New Horizons island. A second console user who starts the game creates another player character on that shared island; they do not get a separate island on the same system. Nintendo’s setup flow distinguishes adding a resident to an existing island from starting a new island. Nintendo’s new-game setup instructions explain that choice.
- Add or select a different user profile on the console.
- Launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons using that profile.
- Follow the opening prompts to add a resident to the existing island, create the player character, and place their tent.
Nintendo allows up to eight player residents on one island. That is not the same as the local multiplayer limit: up to four people can play simultaneously on the same island using one system and one game, with additional accessories required. Nintendo’s save-data and multiplayer FAQ covers both limits.
What the Resident Representative can do
The first player to move to the island becomes its Resident Representative. Nintendo says this role cannot be changed or reassigned, and certain island milestones can only be completed by that player. Creating another player resident does not transfer the role. Nintendo’s Resident Representative support page explains the restriction.
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![Animal Crossings New Horizons - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ErvUL40zL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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
Invite an animal villager with amiibo
For an eligible animal character, Nintendo’s documented amiibo route is to call them to the campsite using the Nook Stop in Resident Services. Nintendo’s amiibo instructions give these steps:
- Go to the Resident Services building and interact with the Nook Stop.
- Choose “Invite a camper.”
- Scan a compatible Animal Crossing amiibo figure or card. If prompted, select the character you want to invite.
- If you want that character to move in, invite them to the campsite multiple times and continue interacting with them.
An invitation does not guarantee an immediate move-in: Nintendo describes repeated invitations and interaction, and the cited instructions do not enumerate every possible plot or progression prerequisite. Amiibo compatibility also varies. Nintendo notes that some special NPCs can visit The Roost but cannot be invited to the campsite or live on the island; check the particular character before buying. Nintendo’s Version 2.0.0 and Happy Home Paradise FAQ describes this limitation.
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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.
Nintendo says amiibo figures and cards are sold separately. Nintendo’s amiibo page provides product information.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Need a separate island instead?
A different user profile on the same console still joins the existing island. To create a separate island, you need a different console, because Nintendo supports only one island per system. The eight-resident cap applies to player characters sharing that island, not to the number of people who can play at the same time. Play Nintendo’s island etiquette guide also explains how console users share an island.
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![Animal Crossing: New Horizons - Happy Home Paradise - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51JAzQozLgL._SL160_.jpg)
- 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.
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