Tips

Invite from a friend’s island

You need at least 6 villagers already living on your island. Early game will not let you take one from a friend. Get six first.

You also need an empty plot — not a house, not a sold sign.

The friend villager has to be in boxes that day (moving out). Talk to them on their island. No empty plot, no invite.

The empty plot

This is the one that works. Roped dirt. Nook Inc. sign. No house. No red SOLD stamp.

Photos from Gamer Guides — Building New House Plots by Seren Morgan-Roberts. Click a photo to open their guide.

A sold plot means someone already claimed it — you, a mystery-island invite, a campsite move. You cannot adopt onto sold. A finished house is also a no.

After a villager leaves, the plot is empty the next day. That is your window.

Nookipedia’s Moving page is the wiki write-up (adopting from a friend, empty plot, in boxes).

How to kick a villager out

There is no “pick who leaves” menu.

• Wait for a thought bubble. Talk. If you want them gone, tell them it is fine to move. If you want them to stay, tell them to stay — or skip that bubble.
• A campsite visitor can ask one of yours to leave.
• Amiibo at the campsite lets you choose who goes.

They pack the next day (in boxes). A friend can invite them that day. Your plot turns empty the day after they fly.

Where are the bells?

We don’t have bells. Search 300K bells (or bells). Each stack of gold is worth 300K.

I sold the gold, but I didn’t get the amount I thought I would

The drop-off box outside Nook’s takes a cut. You get 80% of the counter price.

Want the full amount? Walk inside. Sell to Timmy and Tommy at the desk.