12 Things to Do Before Animal Crossing: New Horizons’ 3.0 Update

Welcome to the New Update: Preparing Your Island for Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0

As the eagerly awaited Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 update is set to launch on January 15, 2026, it’s essential to ensure your island is in top condition before diving into the new features and upgrades. Here are twelve crucial steps you can take to prepare for this major update.

1. Transfer Your Save Data

The first and most important step is ensuring that your saved data has been transferred to Switch 2 using the island transfer tool. This is particularly relevant if you plan on playing the game on Nintendo’s newest console or simply want to continue from where you left off.

Even if you have already transferred your saves to a different Switch, Animal Crossing: New Horizons falls under an exception, meaning you still need to use the island transfer tool. This step is vital for maintaining continuity and ensuring that all your hard-earned progress is preserved.

2. Save Up Bells

The new 3.0 update allows players to increase their storage space significantly, with a maximum of 9,000 items. To take full advantage of this feature, you should aim to save up as many bells as possible before the update.

Turnips are one of the most lucrative ways to earn money in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. By buying them cheaply from Daisy Mae on Sunday mornings and selling them back to the Nooklings, you can make a substantial profit.

Additionally, catching bugs, fish, and sea creatures is another effective method for earning bells.

If time permits, focus on high-value items such as rare insects or fish that Flick and CJ will buy at a 50% markup. Regular farming can also yield good returns, but you’ll need to manage your farmland carefully to maximize profits.

3. Gather Materials for Kapp’n’s Hotel

The premier feature of the 3.0 update is the introduction of a dockside hotel run by Kapp’n. To prepare for this, you’ll need to gather materials and craft items that can be submitted to Kapp’n for hotel tickets.

Ensure you have an ample stockpile of all three types of wood, sticks, rocks, iron, gold, weeds, and clay. These materials will form the basis of your submissions and contribute to the success of the new hotel gift shop. Remember that the recipes may become more complex as you fulfill requests, but these resources should cover you for initial submissions.

4. Create an Island Uniform

The 3.0 update introduces a unique feature: island uniforms. Inside your hotel, there are two mannequins where you can set outfits that other players and NPCs can quickly change into. This is especially useful if you have a specific theme or style you’d like guests to adopt.

Create an appealing uniform that complements the overall aesthetic of your island. Visitors will appreciate having a clear idea of what to wear, enhancing their experience on your island.

5. Fill Out Your Island Catalog

The 3.0 update also adds Slumber Islands, which offer the ability to quickly customize islands with furniture you’ve collected so far. To make the most out of this feature, aim to collect as many items as possible.

Frequent visits to Nook’s Cranny and shaking trees will help you gather more resources. If you own Happy Home Paradise DLC, check the store there for additional items. The more diverse your collection, the better equipped you’ll be to design unique islands.

6. Kick Out Villagers (if necessary)

The 3.0 update introduces four new villagers from Zelda and Splatoon. To make room for them, you may need to kick out a couple of existing villagers. The process isn’t straightforward; you’ll need to wait or timeskip until a villager expresses the desire to move out.

It’s important to note that the last villager who moved in cannot be removed, so plan accordingly. If you’re looking for new residents, make sure you have vacant houses ready and consider acquiring amiibos to invite Mineru, Tulin, Cece, and Viché.

7. Wait Before Redesigning Your Island

If your island needs major redesigns or cleaning, hold off on these tasks until after the 3.0 update. The new feature Resetti’s Reset Service will allow you to clear out flowers, furniture, and more in bulk without losing any progress.

This tool is likely to be the most efficient way to tidy up your island before the update, so use it wisely when the time comes.

8. Get an Active Nintendo Switch Online Subscription

To fully enjoy the new Slumber Islands feature, you’ll need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription. This service enables you to customize and build islands together with friends in up to 12-player sessions.

Before starting any redesigns or planning social interactions on your island, ensure that all intended companions have their subscriptions ready.

9. Bring New Amiibo Features to Your Island

The update also allows you to add four Nintendo characters as Amiibos: Mineru and Tulin from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, and Cece and Viché inspired by Callie and Marie from Splatoon. These additions can bring a fresh dynamic to your island life.

Acquire these amiibos and use them strategically to enhance the overall experience on your island.

Conclusion

By following these twelve steps, you’ll be well-prepared for the exciting changes that Animal Crossing: New Horizons 3.0 will bring. Whether you’re a long-time player or new to the game, taking these preparatory measures ensures that your island is in tip-top shape when the update launches.

Happy playing!