How to Get More Villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons (Campsite, amiibo and Mystery Islands)

To get more villagers in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you need empty housing plots, then a way to fill them: random move-ins, inviting villagers you meet on Mystery Islands, campers at your campsite, or specific villagers called in with amiibo cards. An island holds up to 10 villagers. Here's how each method works.

Getting villagers at a glance

How do you get your first new villagers?

Early on, Tom Nook asks you to build and furnish three houses for new residents. Finish them and new villagers move in. After that, you can invite any villager you meet on a Mystery Island to take an empty plot.

How do you get more housing plots?

Once Resident Services becomes a full building, talk to Tom Nook about island development to buy and place more housing plots. Only place a plot when you're ready, because an empty plot can be filled by a random villager.

How do Mystery Islands work?

Buy a Nook Miles Ticket from the Nook Stop, then fly from the airport to a random island. If a villager you like is there, talk to them a few times and invite them to move in. They'll take your next open plot.

How does the campsite work?

After the Resident Services upgrade, ask Tom Nook "What should I do?" to get the campsite kit. It's built the day after you place it. The first camper always moves in once you've placed a new plot. Later, visitors stay on random days, with the chance rising each day after the last visitor (0% for two days, then 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% from day six). You can invite campers to move in. If your island is full, they'll suggest a villager who's thinking of leaving.

How do you use amiibo to invite a villager?

1. Go to the Nook Stop in Resident Services and scan an Animal Crossing amiibo card.
2. That villager visits your campsite.
3. Craft the furniture they ask for on three separate days.
4. They'll then ask to move in. If your island is full, you choose who moves out.

You can't invite villagers who already live on your island, special characters or hotel tourists.

How do you make a villager move out?

When an invited camper or amiibo villager wants to move in and your island is full, you choose which resident leaves, and they always agree. Villagers can also ask to leave on their own; if you agree, they'll move out a few days later.

More on iGame Magazine

• Exploring the world of Animal Crossing villagers
• How to get feces in Soulmask – another life-sim and survival guide

Villagers in Animal Crossing FAQ