The kids are 10, 12 & 14 years old. They usually do not update the console by themselves and always come to me when they are getting a message. I usually just tell the system not to update now until I know Gateway has made an update available. Since they all 3 have a console, they swap the micro SD cards with the games they have on it (3ds or 3dz). This is convenient and when they want to try a different game, I can just erase and replace with a new one.
So Yes, I am willing to keep the Gateway in use but also wish to install freeshop and if possible emulators on them.
The no update past 11.2 is a little scary though, as with this A9LH system there is no emunand. I am not sure how to prevent auto updates.
I have successfully updated whatever needed to be updated to be able to launch Gateway mode from boot (pressing down) but I'm am not sure if I am in sysnand afterwards. All I know is that it does bring up the Gateway games when pressing 'Select'. and games seem to launch just fine.
I heard people mentioning Luma. What's this for? There's an icon now called 'Updater for Luma3ds releases Hamcha" but I have not used it yet.
I will now proceed with the freeshop stuff installation.
BTW, I did install the game & Watch Vermin cia from FBI instead of Title Manager & it worked this time.
Thanks,
The Gateway tuto
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-using-luma3ds-with-gateway-on-v2-a9lh.431691/ brings the console to the Red dragon Gateway screen and from there I am getting a message (You want to boot GW Fastboot: Sysnand ? Press L+R+Select to continue. The tuto said it should be booting automatically into Emunand but I doubt this is the case here.