A Guide to Importing Your Own Images into Animal Crossing: New Horizons

Unlocking the ability to upload images in Animal Crossing: New Horizons opens up a world of customization possibilities. You can create unique designs to wear, decorate your home, or even showcase as furniture. It all begins with the image upload process, where your creativity can truly shine.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows you to upload virtually any image, from memes to personal photos. While the initial setup might take some time, once you have the necessary tools, you’ll be uploading images in no time. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get your images into the game.

First, you’ll need the Nintendo Switch Online app to scan QR codes and send them to your in-game Nook phone. Yes, it may seem like a convoluted process, but once you complete it once, it becomes second nature. Download the app, and while it’s installing, move on to the next step.

Next, there’s a fantastic website called AC Patterns that simplifies the design process. It allows you to create designs on your desktop for more precise control and lets you upload any image you desire. Just click “Convert” and select an image from your computer (square images yield the best results). The tool will transform your picture into the pixel art style used in the game, allowing you to adjust quality, transparency, and color (greyscale often looks best, but some colorful images can work well too).

Tip: Even if the image appears odd during the conversion, click “generate QR code” to see how it will look in-game. Many images I uploaded seemed strange when enlarged in AC Patterns but looked great when displayed smaller in the game.

Once your image is converted, click “Generate QR code” in the bottom right corner. A code will pop up, so grab your phone and open the Nintendo Switch Online app. Select Animal Crossing: New Horizons under “Game Specific Services” to access the NookLink app. Tap on the “Designs” app, then choose “Scan a QR code” and scan away. Remember, you can only scan one design at a time; scanning another QR code will overwrite the previous one, so keep that in mind.

Yes, this process involves two apps on two devices (one real and one virtual), but you’ll get the hang of it quickly. After scanning the QR code with your phone, grab your Switch, launch Animal Crossing: New Horizons, and open the “Custom Designs” app on your in-game Nook phone. Press the + button to download, and confirm when prompted to connect to the internet and download a custom design made for Nintendo 3DS games. Despite the outdated reference, this will download the design you just scanned, and it will remain in your collection.

Repeat this process each time you want to turn an image into a custom design. If you scan a QR code for an image before downloading it in New Horizons, you’ll overwrite the previously converted image. So remember: convert, scan, download in-game, and then move on to your next creative project.

And there you have it! You now know how to upload any image into Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The creative power at your fingertips is almost overwhelming.