
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp may only be due at the end of November, but it's already available in Australia; you can even grab it yourself right now if you're willing to jump through a few hoops. Thankfully, we're here to make that process a little easier.
Here's how you can get Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on your iOS or Android device right now.
How to install Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on iPhone

First of all you're going to need a Mac or PC with iTunes and a little bit of patience. Open the app store on iTunes, make sure you've logged out of your real Apple ID and scroll right down to the bottom right hand corner where you should see a little flag corresponding with your country of residence. Click that and scroll further to select Australia.
Then you need to find Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp and attempt to download it. We couldn't find it by searching but if you find Super Mario Run and click on the text underneath the title that says 'Nintendo co., Ltd' it'll be there are the top of the list. Because you're not logged in it'll ask you to sign into your account, but instead select 'Create New Apple ID'. Agree to the terms and conditions that you've almost certainly read thoroughly and start inputting an email address and password. You'll have to use an email address that isn't registered to a current Apple ID.
Fill in the rest of the page truthfully or however you see fit and then move on. You'll be asked for payment information, but because you tried to download a free app 'None' should be highlighted automatically. This is what you want, as otherwise you'd have to input genuine Australian credit card details. Under billing address any first and surname will do.
For the billing address you'll need to input a real location and postal code. We recommend looking one up on Google Maps and simply copying down everything you see, but try to be discreet.
Once you've verified your account you're all done! Simply log into this new Apple ID on your iOS device and download the app. When it requires updating in the future you'll need to sign back into this account so make sure you write the login details down on a piece of paper to be extra safe.
How to install Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp on Android

Android's open nature means that installing is a little easier than it is on iOS and doesn't involve creating dummy accounts or making your phone think you're in another part of the world. However, it does come with some risks which have to be considered before proceeding.
On iOS, your only option - unless you're willing to "jailbreak" your phone - is to use the App Store to obtain the game. However, on Android it's possible to download the installation file (known as an .apk) from the internet and "side-load" it onto your Android device - this basically involves disabling the security measure which prevents you from installing apps outside of the Google Play store.
Most Android phones have side-loading disabled by default, so you'll need to go to Settings, then Security (this might be listed as Privacy on some handsets) and tick the box next to "Unknown Sources". You'll get a message which states that the installation of applications outside of the Google Play store comes with obvious risks (such as viruses and malware) - so we'd like to state that we cannot be held responsible for any issues beyond this point.
Various sites online offer apk files for download, and in this case there's no real ethical issue as Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp is a free-to-play title and doesn't cost money. However, due to the fact that these sites also offer apps and games that are normally paid-for, we won't be linking to any in this guide. Type "Animal Crossing Pocket Camp apk" into Google and you'll no doubt find several sites offering the file. Which one you choose is very much up to you, and done at your own discretion.
Even though you've side-loaded the game, when it does eventually become available in your region it will receive updates and your user data will be carried over - you don't have to worry about losing progress by installing the game early. The title is listed on Google Play now but can only be downloaded in Australia - but by all means add it to your wish list so you can grab the update the moment it goes live.
Or you can wait until late November, the choice is yours.
Finally, it's worth noting that only Australian My Nintendo accounts can login for the related bonuses and features. You can either ignore this and just sign in when the game launches properly in your territory, or you can create an Australian My Nintendo account. However, if you want to really get into the My Nintendo side of the app it may be best to wait until it launches formally where you live.
So, will you give this a try or just wait for the app to be released globally?
Comments 39
I'll probably just wait.
Eh. I'll wait.
Especially as, yet again, it's always online, I'd like to wait indefinitely.
I live in Australia and own an Android device. Still zero interest in downloading this. Would rather just wait for a proper Animal Crossing game. Better off just playing New Leaf.
um..they removed the app store from itunes. you obviously just copy and pasted this from a previous guide.
Too many hoops for me. Not that I have any time for this anyway, Switch's lineup is crazy... Also, whenever the app is officially released in your territory, you'll probably need to start all over again if you download that version, I'm guessing.
"The title is listed on Google Play now but can only be downloaded in Australia"
FYI - I'm in the US and that Google Play now link took me to Pokemon Go.
Edit: OK, now that I look at it the link actually says "Niantic.PokemonGo". Seems like an odd choice, unless like the person above me surmised this is a bad copy and paste article?
Edit 2: Link to the Google Play store Pre-register page for AC:PC @AlexOlney
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.nintendo.zaca
"You'll be asked for payment information, but because you tried to download a free app 'None' should be highlighted automatically."
I can sadly only choose between a credit card and paypal, there is no 'none' option.
Edit: I derped there, I tried to use an Aus. account I made on PC.
I sideloaded it and did the tutorial stuff. It is better to wait because at launch there is all sorts of timed items and events that cost precious leaf tickets and you get 100 just for linking your nintendo account. KK slider and Tom Nook chairs cost 250 leaf tickets each. They come to your camp for as long as you like.
Game just works better with friends and Nintendo Account.
Now apart from sideloading I wish those morons at Nintendo Mobile announced plans to release it worldwide. Those idiots once again aren't giving to a worldwide release. The same exact story as Waifu Emblem Heroes... Super Mario Run is the only worldwide release on my Google Play. Typical Nintendo, always getting some easy thing wrong. I wanted to play Animal Crossing too but just because I live in a different country I can't get the game? Pathetic.
@BenAV https://twitter.com/serkantoto/status/923167932909207553
Good lord, patience people. This is why Nintendo has to be so secretive and discreet all the time.
@cfgk24 What's your point?
Come join us at https://www.reddit.com/r/ACPocketCamp/ to discuss the game!
Eh... no I'll just wait...
This is will be the first Nintendo Phone game I play
@BenAV that maybe it's better than you expect it to be stated from someone who's paying the game. 😊
@cfgk24 Because it's got a higher resolution than a 3DS game? Being on mobile and having microtransations are two big crosses for me.
I’ll probably download it, but have enough on my plate with Stardew Valley and now Mario Odyssey looming.
Playing Stardew Valley I appreciate that time will stop still while I break off for Odyssey etc. Whereas Animal Crossing is great but can become a chore compelling you to play every day or miss out
LOL why would ANYONE do this?
@BenAV Well at least nobody is forcing you to even try it... 😊
@cfgk24 That's true, thankfully.
No thanks. I'll wait for a proper console version
This really makes me want to play AC: New Leaf again... And when the next one releases for Switch I’ll be finally getting my Switch I think...
Side Note 1: Vowed to never buy a console for ONE game ever again-that one game being Mario odyssey.
Side Note 2: I own BotW on Wii U.
Side Note 3: Can’t wait to get a Switch.
@AirElephant To download it early and have fun with it.
As much as I want to play it now, I'll wait. Got too many games distracting me to the point I can live in a cave (with electricity) a year after Friday.
@Banjos_Backpack that won't happen. too many people will do it and the backlash would be hilarious.
i'm playin the heck outta this today! i'll even attempt to link my nintendo account and let yall know how it goes.
While I'm eager to play this, I'll skip taking all these steps so I won't be cluttered with different accounts. Besides, I'm still playing AC:NL, so I can keep myself busy with that. I finally managed to get T&T Emporium, and am getting close to getting all the upgrades to my house. I also can't wait to see what the Halloween event will be like!
Speaking of which, I wonder if there'll be a Halloween event for AC:PC next Tuesday. If there is then those Australians lucked out!
Anyone think one can play now on the australian region and when it comes out in europe we can change region and link our account? Or?
@AlexOlney
Fair enough. But for games that ask me to invest time to build worlds, unless there's a "Hard Mode" that encourages repeat play (BotW), I'd rather wait a little bit for the finished product and get busy.
I'm not an AC fan, per se, and have absolutely ZERO games on my phone--I much prefer dedicated gaming systems with actual buttons--but this one has me intrigued. If I'm going to invest, it's going to be in the full-bore release version.
But if it floats your boat, weigh anchor my friend.
That is just ridiculous. Why is it available in Australia, and why would anyone go to such ridiculous or risky lengths to get this anyway?!
@Banjos_Backpack okay so i went to link my nintendo account, but it gave me a region mismatch error. it took me to my account settings so i could change them, but i can't change my region because i have a balance in my account.
i guess maybe I'll just use up that balance and change it and update yall later!
i'm interested in linking my account though so i can back up my save data (kinda like the fire emblem game) and i'll just change my region back to USA when it comes out.
@TommyRabbit lol same.
I'm playing it right now, and there is a goal to link your Nintendo account for leaf tickets. So i guess this means you can just play all you want and link the account later, without having to start all over!
@ChaosCrystal it looks like it, read my previous comment
@Yasaal Wow salty much
@manu0 True. You'll need to have either an old version of iTunes or download the new special version on this page that includes the App Store: https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT208079
Gonna try it out just to see, but I'm not making an Australian My Nintendo account. I'll see if I can tie it to google, if not I'll trash it for a month.
Can't people just wait a few weeks?
I don't think all that trouble is worth it. Besides you can't sign in with your Nintendo account and any progress you make within the game will be lost when/if you download the game when it gets released in your country.
It doesn't make sense to me. I'll wait. Living in Japan, I'm totally used to it when getting games.
Not all the websites that offer apk for download have illegal ones on them.
@Wh1sper ROFL I tried not to be, but this stupidity wasn't expected. Nintendo Mobile's hypocritical tendencies have been exposed with Animal Crossing. On one side they want more sales and profit from mobile games, then they release a game only on selected regions.
Hypocritical bigot much? (Talking about Nintendo Mobile btw)
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