How I Moved My Animal Crossing: New Horizons Island from Switch Lite to Switch OLED

If you’ve ever wondered how to transfer your beloved Animal Crossing: New Horizons island, you’re not alone. I recently faced this exact dilemma when I just wanted to play on my Switch OLED and move my island over from my Switch Lite. After spending countless hours decorating, terraforming, and getting attached to my villagers, starting over was never an option.

Preparation: What You Need Before Transferring

Before starting the transfer, make sure everything below is ready. This helps avoid errors and unnecessary stress.

Step	Details
1. Download the Island Transfer Tool	Download the free Island Transfer Tool from the Nintendo eShop on both your Switch Lite and Switch OLED.
2. Update Both Consoles	Ensure both consoles are running the latest system software.
3. Stable Internet Connection	A reliable Wi-Fi connection is required, even though the transfer happens locally.
4. Keep Both Consoles Nearby	Both consoles must stay close to each other throughout the entire process.

💡 Important: Cloud backup alone does not move your island. The Island Transfer Tool is required when transferring between two working consoles.

Step-by-Step: How I Transferred My Island

Once everything was ready, here’s exactly how I moved my island from my Switch Lite to my Switch OLED.

Step	Action
1	Open the Island Transfer Tool on your Switch Lite and select Source Console.
2	Confirm the island you want to transfer and follow the on-screen prompts.
3	On your Switch OLED, open the Island Transfer Tool and select Target Console.
4	Keep both consoles on and nearby while the island data transfers.
5	Once complete, launch Animal Crossing on your Switch OLED and confirm your island is there.

💡 Tip: Do not turn off or sleep either console during the transfer.

Helpful Tips I Learned Along the Way

• Be patient: Larger islands take longer to transfer, especially if you’ve decorated heavily.
• Only one primary island: Your island will no longer exist on the Switch Lite after the transfer.
• Keep the old console charged: Low battery interruptions can cause transfer errors.
• Check for updates after: Once transferred, open the game fully and check for any updates.

Transferring my island felt nerve-wracking at first, but seeing my villagers safely waiting for me on my Switch OLED made it completely worth it. If you’re upgrading your console, take your island with you. You’ve earned it.

Have you transferred your island before? I’d love to hear your experience in the comments!