How to update Animal Crossing: New Horizons

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Make sure you've got the latest Animal Crossing: New Horizons patch by updating your game

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Making sure that you know how to update Animal Crossing: New Horizons is part of ensuring your island life is the very best it can be. Nintendo is regularly releasing updates that tweak bugs, fix issues, and more, so you'll want to make sure you're downloading these updates as soon as possible. 

If you're wondering how to update Animal Crossing: New Horizons, we've got a very simple guide for you below. 

1. Save and quit the game

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you're in-game, and let's face it, you probably are, you'll need to safely save and quit Animal Crossing: New Horizons, just to ensure you don't lose anything you've done while pottering around your island. 

The best way to do this is to press the minus button, and hit 'Save and end'. This will properly save your game, and put your back to the title screen. 

2. Close down the game

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Next, you'll need to completely close Animal Crossing: New Horizons. To do this, go to the home screen, and select the Animal Crossing game tile. Hit X to close the software down. 

3. Restart the game to update

Now, when you start up the game, if there's an update available it will prompt you to install it. Hit download, and the game will update, starting again when it's all patched up and ready to rock. 

4. Alternatively, check the software update manually

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If you're ever worried you're missing out on an update, you can manually check if there are any available. 

From the home screen, highlight the Animal Crossing tile and hit the plus button. Here go to Software Update > Via the Internet and the game will check if you're all up to date. 

Sam Loveridge
Sam Loveridge
Brand Director, GamesRadar+

Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.