Animal Crossing: New Horizons NookLink — What is it and how does it work?

The Animal Crossing titles are social games in many ways. They allow players to share and view each other's creations and are altogether upbeat ways to spend time with others. Nintendo is making it easier for online New Horizons players to customize their villages and communicate with each other by integrating NookLink within the Nintendo Switch Online app for smartphones.

Using this service, players can send messages in-game, import custom designs from two 3DS games, manage multiplayer options, and more. Here's a breakdown of each of the different features found within NookLink.

When does NookLink release?

This real-life smartphone app is available right now. You'll need to download the Nintendo Switch Online app for iOS or Android and then select the Animal Crossing: New Horizons button upon opening it.

What can I do with NookLink?

NookLink has five functions: Passport, Custom Design, Chat Keyboard, Best Friend, and Settings. Here's what each of these things can do:

Passport

Within New Horizons itself, the NookPhone also features a Passport app which allows you to visit other islands. However, within NookLink, Passport allows you to customize what your main character's passport looks like. This is basically an ID card that displays your birthday, the name of your island, your custom design creator ID, Dream Address, and other information about you. You can type in a custom phrase or greeting, or give yourself a title.

Custom Design

Players who have the Animal Crossing: New Leaf or Animal Crossing: Happy Home Designer games on 3DS can create designs for clothing and other things. Once a design has been created, players can then use the NookLink app to scan QR codes on the 3DS and bring their designs into New Horizons. That way you can design clothing and bedding designs for your island.

Chat Keyboard

Considering that Animal Crossing: New Horizons allows online players to visit each other's islands it makes sense that Nintendo would provide a way for people to communicate with each other. Using the Chat Keyboard players can type in messages and chat with others they play with. Additionally, players can also use this app to voice chat with one another.

Best Friend

New Horizons allows players to visit each other's islands. However, tool limitations are placed on visitors so they can't run off with all your materials and goodies. If you mark someone as a best friend, then that player can use all of their tools while visiting your island. That way you two can fully enjoy everything your get-a-way has to offer together.

The Best Friend section of NookLink allows you to quickly message specific friends individualls or send a massive text to anyone online.

Reactions update

Nintendo has revealed that NookLink will be getting an update sometime in "early October." This will add a Reactions tab to the NookLink service.

Using this tool, players can easily select one of the reactions they've unlocked in game to make their character react accordingly. I'm super excited for this since it will make it a whole lot easier for me to interact to my friends when we're visiting each other's islands.

How to use Reactions with NookLink

1. To use Reactions in NookLink, you'll first need to open the Nintendo app. If you haven't downloaded the app to your phone yet, continue to the next section below and then return to these steps.
2. Select Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
3. Select the Reactions button in the bottom right corner.
4. You'll now see the list of Reactions you've unlocked. Tap the Reaction you want to use.
5. Press Send.

How do I get NookLink on my smartphone?

NookLink is currently available. Here's how to set up NookLink on your phone.

First off, you will need a Nintendo Switch Online subscription in order to use NookLink with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Once that's done, you'll need to download the Nintendo Switch Online app for your iOS or Android device.

Upon opening the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone, you can tap on NookLink under the Game-Specific Services section to launch these New Horizons features.

You will then need to turn to your Nintendo Switch. With Animal Crossing: New Horizons running, press the - button to bring up the title screen. The Nintendo Switch and app will connect and then you'll be able to use NookLink.