How to Use NookLink for Custom Designs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
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NookLink, the Animal Crossing: New Horizons game-specific service within the Nintendo Switch Online app, is your gateway to importing a plethora of custom designs from older Animal Crossing titles like New Leaf and Happy Home Designer, as well as sharing your own creations. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step breakdown of how to use NookLink for custom designs, making your island more personalized than ever before.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using NookLink for Custom Designs
Here’s the comprehensive process of leveraging NookLink to bring custom designs into your ACNH world:
- Download and Set up the Nintendo Switch Online App: First, you’ll need the Nintendo Switch Online app installed on your iOS or Android device. If you haven’t already, download it from your respective app store.
- Launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Power up your Nintendo Switch and open Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
- Access Settings in ACNH: On the title screen, press the – (minus) button to access the settings menu.
- Enable NookLink in ACNH: Within the settings, select NookLink settings, and then choose Yes, please. This action syncs your game with the NookLink service.
- Open the Nintendo Switch Online App: Now, open the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Select Animal Crossing: New Horizons: Tap on the Animal Crossing: New Horizons icon to enter the NookLink service.
- Navigate to Custom Designs: Within NookLink, select Custom Designs
- Prepare your QR Codes: Have your QR codes from New Leaf or Happy Home Designer ready.
- Scan the QR Code: Use the in-app scanner to scan the QR code. Your mobile device’s camera will be activated. Ensure the QR code is well-lit and within the scanning frame.
- Save and Download: Once scanned, the design will be saved to the NookLink app. You now have successfully imported the design from older titles.
- Download to your Nook Phone: Back in your game, access the Custom Designs app on your Nook Phone.
- Import from NookLink: Select “Download” and choose the designs you wish to import. The designs will then be saved within your game.
- Use Your Designs: You can now use your downloaded designs on your clothing, furniture, or display them as wall art or patterns.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to help you better understand custom designs in Animal Crossing: New Horizons and how to use NookLink effectively:
1. How do I unlock the ability to use custom designs in ACNH?
To unlock the basic Custom Designs app on your NookPhone, you simply need to progress through the early stages of the game. Once available, you can design simple patterns. To unlock more advanced features, such as pro designs and more slots, you’ll need to purchase upgrades from the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services.
2. What is the difference between basic and pro custom designs?
Basic custom designs are simple patterns that you can use for clothing, furniture, and canvases. Pro designs, available after purchasing the Custom Design Pro Editor+ at the Nook Stop, allow you to create more complex designs for clothing, including options for dresses, shirts, hats, and more.
3. How do I get more custom design slots in ACNH?
Initially, you have 50 design slots. You can purchase the Custom Design Pro Editor+ from the Nook Stop terminal for 2,000 Nook Miles, which adds an additional 50 slots for both basic and pro designs, bringing the total to 100 slots. Also, the Custom Designs Patterns+ upgrade can be purchased for 1,800 Nook Miles, allowing you to use Sable’s patterns as custom designs, further expanding your creative options. With the 2.0 update, players have access to more than 200 custom designs in the game.
4. Can I edit custom designs I downloaded from NookLink or the Custom Design Portal?
You cannot edit designs that you didn’t create yourself. If you download a design via NookLink or use a code from the Custom Design Portal, you can display it, wear it, or use it on furniture, but you cannot alter it directly.
5. How do I get QR codes for custom designs?
QR codes are primarily generated in older Animal Crossing games, namely New Leaf and Happy Home Designer. When you create a design in these games, there’s an option to generate a QR code that can be scanned using NookLink in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
6. Is a Nintendo Switch Online subscription required to use NookLink?
Yes, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to use the NookLink features, including custom design import and export, and accessing the Custom Design Portal.
7. How do I access the Custom Design Portal in ACNH?
The Custom Design Portal is accessed through the Custom Designs app on your Nook Phone. You can unlock the portal by purchasing it for 300 Nook Miles at the Nook Stop terminal in Resident Services. The portal allows you to share and download custom designs using design codes.
8. Can villagers wear my custom designs?
Yes, you can gift your villagers clothing items with custom designs. Once you give them a design, they may start wearing it around your island.
9. How do I share my custom designs with others?
You can share your custom designs using the Custom Design Portal. You upload your design and receive a unique design code. You can then share this code with other players, allowing them to download your creation.
10. What are Customization Kits and how do I get them?
Customization Kits are needed to customize furniture with your custom designs or the default designs in the game. They are first obtained from Tom Nook after completing his customization workshop. Afterward, they are available for purchase from Nook’s Cranny for 600 Bells.
11. How do I get Sable to give me custom design patterns?
To unlock Sable’s special patterns, you must talk to her at the Able Sisters shop once every day for 10 consecutive days. After that, she’ll start providing you with new patterns that can be used with the Custom Designs Patterns+ upgrade.
12. What is the Custom Design Path Permit and how do I get it?
The Custom Design Path Permit allows you to use your custom designs to create paths on your island. It’s obtained from the Nook Stop terminal for 2,300 Nook Miles.
13. Can I import designs using codes without a phone?
Yes, you can download custom designs using design codes directly from the Custom Design Portal in your game. However, you still need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription to access the Custom Design Portal. The NookLink app, via QR codes, is exclusively used to import from New Leaf and Happy Home Designer.
14. How much do I have to buy from Mabel to get her to open a shop?
To convince Mabel to open the Able Sisters shop on your island, you need to spend at least 5,000 Bells in her store while she’s visiting.
15. Why can’t I access the Custom Design Portal?
Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. You also need to have unlocked the Able Sisters shop on your island to access the portal. If you still can’t access it, try restarting your game and your console.
By following this guide and understanding the answers to these FAQs, you will be well-equipped to use NookLink effectively and truly customize your Animal Crossing: New Horizons experience. Have fun designing and sharing!