Old Save File Vanished

[Neb]

I booted up Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the first time in over a year only to find my save file containing a 5 star island is completely gone. When I check my save data backup it says there’s no save data available. I transferred save data for all my other games from an original Switch to a Switch OLED last year, but my save files for every other game are still there. Is this a common occurrence and is there any way to get it back?

 

[Alolan_Apples]

That’s pretty strange. I’m sorry this happened.

I don’t know how to fix that, but I suggest contacting Nintendo about save data backups.

 

[MrBox]

Do you have the original switch by any chance?
A friend of mine actually told me about an experience she had that was very similar to this. She said she switched over to a new switch and her island was gone despite the backups.

She thankfully didn't sell her old switch cause she needed it for the transfer. She also needed to download something from the e-shop? Some kind of transfer tool..

 

[Neb]

Do you have the original switch by any chance?

I wiped it and sold it not long after transferring everything else to the new Switch.

 

[MrBox]

I wiped it and sold it not long after transferring everything else to the new Switch.

I edited my original post with some other stuff but.. I would take the advice of reaching out to Nintendo... They may be able to do something?

 

[VanitasFan26]

I wiped it and sold it not long after transferring everything else to the new Switch.

Ouch......well since you did that there is no way to recover the data. You should've just kept the switch that had the Save data and transfer the whole entire island to a 2nd switch but you need another copy of the game to do so.

 

[Dunquixote]

I asked in the FAQs here not too long ago about transferring my island to a new switch and was told that you need this free app, the island transfer tool (both switches need it) to be able to keep everything from your save file and your island the way it looked. I just used it recently on my new switch and it was easy to do; you need to follow the steps on both screens.

Did you happen to back up your data on your icloud?

I’d definitely write to Nintendo support about it as Mr. Box suggested. I hope they can help you still even though you sold your other switch.

 

[Neb]

I asked in the FAQs here not too long ago about transferring my island to a new switch and was told that you need this free app, the island transfer tool (both switches need it) to be able to keep everything from your save file and your island the way it looked. I just used it recently on my new switch and it was easy to do; you need to follow the steps on both screens.

Did you happen to back up your data on your icloud?

I’d definitely write to Nintendo support about it as Mr. Box suggested. I hope they can help you still even though you sold your other switch.

I had no idea you needed an app. Oh well. I’ll start from scratch and make an even better island.

 

[MrBox]

I had no idea you needed an app. Oh well. I’ll start from scratch and make an even better island.

I can definitely help out with IGB or items if you need/want it! o/

 

[Dunquixote]

I had no idea you needed an app. Oh well. I’ll start from scratch and make an even better island.

I wouldn’t have known either had I not asked either. I don’t remember if they ever made an announcement about it since I got both the game and switch late.

If you need help with anything in the game, once I get my switch lite back and everything transferred, I can help you getting items or anything else you need. I don’t have a 100% catalogue yet but I can get what I can for you.

 

[Alolan_Apples]

I had no idea you needed an app. Oh well. I’ll start from scratch and make an even better island.

This site is a great place to help you on that. We can even get all of the legit art pieces and completed DIY sets before you start terraforming the island.

 

[-Blue-]

I booted up Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the first time in over a year only to find my save file containing a 5 star island is completely gone. When I check my save data backup it says there’s no save data available. I transferred save data for all my other games from an original Switch to a Switch OLED last year, but my save files for every other game are still there. Is this a common occurrence and is there any way to get it back?

From what I remember, NH save data needs extra steps in order to transfer it correctly. Every other game works the same way, but NH is the exception. A lot of people lost their data by transferring it and failing to do it a special way just for NH. Unfortunately, it may be too late to remedy this. If you need help, I may have some duplicate/bulk diy and bells to get you started (and all the fruit)

 

[PugLovex]

I booted up Animal Crossing: New Horizons for the first time in over a year only to find my save file containing a 5 star island is completely gone. When I check my save data backup it says there’s no save data available. I transferred save data for all my other games from an original Switch to a Switch OLED last year, but my save files for every other game are still there. Is this a common occurrence and is there any way to get it back?

are you referring to the “no save data” seen when you hit minus on the home screen? if so that’s normal. ACNH doesn’t follow the same backup features as most nintendo games, which is why you do it through the game itself. did you recently do the transition to the new switch? has it been able to play before? when you boot up the game, does it instantly take you to the very beginning, where you fill out the basic info? lots of questions i know but i’d love to help!

i recently had a scare where i believed my save data to be corrupted because the loading screen kept crashing and freezing everytime i booted it up. a complete shut down and turn on fixed that problem. the new horizons backup transfer is a lot more tedious compared to other nintendo games since it doesn’t follow the same process. have you watched any tutorials for help?

 

[Neb]

are you referring to the “no save data” seen when you hit minus on the home screen? if so that’s normal. ACNH doesn’t follow the same backup features as most nintendo games, which is why you do it through the game itself. did you recently do the transition to the new switch? has it been able to play before? when you boot up the game, does it instantly take you to the very beginning, where you fill out the basic info? lots of questions i know but i’d love to help!

i recently had a scare where i believed my save data to be corrupted because the loading screen kept crashing and freezing everytime i booted it up. a complete shut down and turn on fixed that problem. the new horizons backup transfer is a lot more tedious compared to other nintendo games since it doesn’t follow the same process. have you watched any tutorials for help?

When I boot the game it takes me back to the beginning and asks for the basic info. I changed Switches over a year ago.

 

[PugLovex]

When I boot the game it takes me back to the beginning and asks for the basic info. I changed Switches over a year ago.

ahhh i see, and you backed up your previous save file on your old switch from the backup feature in game yes? try this.
i skimmed through the video briefly—i’ve never had to do a backup myself since i’ve been on the same switch since release. i’m hoping it works out for you!!