How to Unlock QR Codes in Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Last Updated: July 8, 2020

With the 3DS’s superior online capabilities, the use of QR codes in the Animal Crossing community saw a dramatic increase with the addition of New Leaf. Many talented artists create their own designs and upload them to game forums to share with the public. Some even mimic the styles of clothing from other video games so that your player can dress up like protagonists from series like Pokémon or Final Fantasy. However, because the QR feature is not available upon starting the game, some work must be put in before you have access to all of the amazing designs.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Unlocking QR Codes the Usual Way

1
Visit the Able Sisters Shop. The Able Sisters is located on the left side of Main Street between Shampoodle and Kicks. To find Main Street head north, past the train station, and follow the cobblestone path under the arch. You should visit between 10AM and 9PM unless you have the early bird or night owl ordinance in place.
- With the Early Bird ordinance, Able Sisters will be open 7PM-9PM.
- With the Night Owl ordinance, Able Sisters will be open 10AM-12AM.
2
Talk to Sable. Sable is the brown hedgehog who is constantly using the sewing machine in the corner of the room. Approach her and press A.

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3
Visit Sable for ten consecutive days. Unlike her outgoing sister, Mabel, Sable is much more shy and will take quite a long time to warm up to you. Simply talk to Sable every day for ten days while the shop is open.
4
Talk to Sable again on the 11th day. She will tell you about the sewing machine in the back of the room. This is the QR machine.
- After this, you will be able to import QR codes by approaching the large red machine behind Sable, hitting the A button, and selecting the import option.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Unlocking QR Codes Using the Expedited Process

1
Visit the Able Sisters Shop. The Able Sisters is located on the left side of Main Street. To find Main Street head north, past the train station, and follow the cobblestone path under the arch. You should visit between 10AM and 9PM (times may vary if you have the early bird or night owl ordinance in place).
2
Talk to Sable. Sable is the brown hedgehog who is constantly using the sewing machine in the corner of the room. Approach her and press A.
3
Save and exit your game. Do this by pressing the “Start” button and selecting “Save and quit.” The game will exit, and you will be taken to the startup screen.
4
Change the date. At the startup screen, Isabelle will ask you if there’s anything you need to change before getting started. Tell her that there is, and select the “change time and date” option.
- Move the calendar forward by one day and start the game.
5
Repeat the process of talking to Sable and quitting. Simply repeat this time travelling process ten times in a row, talking to Sable each day.
- Make sure to only move the calendar forward one day as breaking the chain of consecutive visits will mean having to start all over.
6
Talk to Sable again on the 11th day. She will tell you about the sewing machine in the back of the room. This is the QR machine.
- After this, you will be able to import QR codes by approaching the large red machine behind Sable, hitting the A button, and selecting the import option.

Community Q&A

Question

How often does Gracie visit my town?

Community Answer

It depends, once you spend a certain amount of bells and the T&T Mart, she will come to your town occasionally so make sure you have some good clothes ready, and go to your town about 3 times a week. So, to conclude, she appears randomly.
Question

Can I turn the clock back to what it should be afterwards?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. Just know that there might be slight changes, like flowers or villagers wanting to move out.
Question

A villager has moved out when I moved the clock forward. Will he come back if I put it back again?

Ruby

Top Answerer

It is unlikely. Changing the clock won't make a villager move back in. You might, however, meet them in Main Street, or they might have moved to a friend's town. It is also a possibility that they move back in further down the line, but they won't have any memory of you.