So, I was having serious issues finding a really, really good and detailed guide on how to hack and install EmuNAND on your 3DS without using an actual Gateway Card (they are out there, but I spent a day of trial and error figuring out a process that could be done in an hour or less), but after a good bit of research and understanding, I've finally managed to figure it out.

EmuNAND allows you to run the latest version of the 3DS firmware alongside an older version so that you can have hacking capabilities but also be able to access the eShop and play online.

This guide does not include and does not condone the use of pirated content. If you want to play pirated games, you can go elsewhere. Bear in mind if you choose to do so, you can be banned from Nintendo's servers.

I'm also pretty sure this voids your 3DS' warranty (but I'm also pretty sure your 3DS is more than a year old by now anyways).

Okay, what you'll need:
- The Gateway firmware
Download it here: http://scmods.com/gateway/GATEWAY ULTRA 3.1.1 PUBLIC BETA.zip

- rxTools
Download it here: http://www.rxtools.net/php/download.php?dl=rxTools v2.3

(Bear in mind you'll also either need WinRAR, 7-Zip, or some other extraction tool to open the RAR file if you don't already)

- slot0x25KeyX.bin
(You can find it on Google. I can't provide it here.)

- A 3DS with system version 9.2 or below

- An SD card that's at least 2gb in space (although I recommend more)

STEP ONE: Back up your SD card!

You're going to have to do this step later if you don't do it now, so I recommend doing it now. The next step is going to require around a gig of space left on your card. Back up all the files on your SD card to a folder on your desktop or wherever you'd like, and you can go ahead and delete the files off of the card.

STEP TWO: Make a NAND Backup!

Inside of the zip file you downloaded containing the Gateway Firmware, there should be a file called "launcher.dat" (without the quotes, obviously). This should be inside the "GW_Ultra_3.1.1(Public Beta)" folder. Copy this to the root of your SD card. None of the other files are needed.

Put the SD card into your 3DS. Boot up the 3DS and open the web browser. TURN OFF THE WIFI SWITCH. This isn't totally necessary, but it does help. Go into the browser settings (click on the wrench icon), and clear your history and cookies. Afterwards, close the browser, then reopen it. You're doing this so that you don't have to do this every time you open the browser (because when we run Gateway, the browser will crash). Now then, turn on the wifi switch and navigate to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ (you'll probably want to bookmark this later). After a few seconds, Gateway 3DS should be running on your 3DS. If it didn't work, ensure that you have the right system version (at or below 9.2) and then retry step 2. It's not foolproof.

Once you have Gateway running, you're going to want to go over to where it says "Backup System NAND," press A, and then press start. This will take between five and ten minutes, so give it time. Make sure your 3DS is plugged in!

Once the NAND backup is done, move on to step three.

STEP THREE: BACKUP YOUR FILES

The next step is going to format your SD card! If you have not done so, back up your files now!! THIS INCLUDES THE NAND.BIN FILE YOU JUST CREATED.

Your 3DS is not going to be wiped, by the way - only your SD card. You might have to redownload any eShop titles afterwards, but I'm not sure. You might also just be able to restore them by merging your old Nintendo 3DS folder with your new one that will be created.

I had to redownload mine, but then again I also downgraded my system (which, by the way, is totally unnecessary for this, and I'm not going to include it in this guide).

STEP FOUR: Install Emunand!

Now that all your files are backed up, launch Gateway again (http://go.gateway-3ds.com/), and go to the option that says "Format EmuNAND." Of course, press A, and then start to start the process. This will also take around ten minutes. Just be patient, and make sure your 3DS is plugged in! None of this should have any chance of bricking your 3DS, but when it comes to homebrew, it's still better to be cautious! There is no brick protection on the 3DS like there was on the Wii, so you don't want to screw anything up!

Once the process is done, restart your 3DS (you'll probably have to hold down the power button a little longer than usual. This is fine). Take the SD card out, and put it in your computer. Copy all of the files inside the "release" folder inside of the rxTools archive to the root of your SD card (at this point you may also copy over your old backup files too, but DO NOT erase or overwrite anything on the SD card). Also copy over the slot0x25KeyX.bin file (once again, I am not allowed to provide the link here, but it's extremely easy to find).

Now then, run the cdn_firm.exe file on your SD card. This downloads a pretty small file (around a megabyte in size) called firmware.bin to the root of your SD card (for some reason they aren't allowed to include it with rxTools either).

If you're using OS X or Linux, you can run the cdn_firm executable using a program called Wine. It's just a Windows emulator (not a virtual machine).

STEP FIVE: Boot and update EmuNAND!

The reason we're using rxTools instead of Gateway to run EmuNAND is simply because it works with the latest version of the 3DS' firmware (9.6). Anyway, once you have everything on your SD card, pop it back into your 3DS and turn on your 3DS. Now open the browser and go to http://launch.rxtools.net (you'll want to bookmark this too. You'll need it to boot into EmuNAND). Once rxTools has launched, Press A at "Launch rxMode." EmuNAND should load up. It might be a black screen for a few seconds, but don't worry about that. If it doesn't load up after around 20 seconds or so, though, go ahead and power off your 3DS and try again. If it still doesn't work, you might have to reinstall EmuNAND (granted, it should work).

Once you're booted into EmuNAND, open System Settings. On the top screen in the bottom right-hand corner, look at the text. It SHOULD say "RX-E [Whatever version + region]." IF IT DOES NOT, BUT INSTEAD SAYS VER. [Number], DO NOT PROCEED. YOU ARE NOT IN EMUNAND.

Once you are POSITIVE that you are booted into EmuNAND, go into Other Settings and perform a System Update. Once again, make sure you have your 3DS plugged in.

DO NOT REMOVE YOUR SD CARD! DO NOT REMOVE YOUR SD CARD! DO NOT REMOVE YOUR SD CARD!

DO. NOT. REMOVE. YOUR. SD. CARD.

DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT IT.

EMUNAND COULD CRASH.

STEP SIX: Reboot and Check EmuNAND.

Once the system update is done, the 3DS should reboot. If you're in SysNAND (you aren't prompted "EHRMAGERD LUK AT ALL DESE NEW FEACHURES GUISE"), go ahead and open the web browser and boot back into EmuNAND (http://launch.rxtools.net/ - seriously, bookmark it). EmuNAND should load up soon, and you should be prompted to agree with Nintendo's ToS. Once you agree (and are told about the two and a half "wonderful, amazing new features," check System Settings to make sure you're running the latest version of the 3DS firmware (as of 4/8/2015, it's 9.6.0-24U [the U is just for my region; yours might be different]). Once done, go ahead and exit System Settings. I recommend changing the theme/color of your EmuNAND home menu so that you'll always know when you're in it (mine's a snazzy black).

You're officially done and have EmuNAND installed! Congrats! I hope that this was useful!


NOTES ABOUT EMUNAND:
- Never remove your SD card while in EmuNAND, especially if you're in-game. It can crash, and it's super wonky.
- Using this method, I don't know how to (if you can) autoboot into EmuNAND. With this, you'll just have to visit the rxtools link the in the browser.
- EmuNAND still shares a lot of data with your SysNAND, but the version differences do make a difference, especially when trying to run some games.
- If you ever decide to restore your SysNAND from your NAND.bin backup (KEEP THAT BACKUP, PLEASE), it won't erase or overwrite EmuNAND, so don't worry c:
- DO NOT UPDATE YOUR SYSNAND. I really don't recommend it!
- Always make sure that rxTools is compatible with the latest version of the 3DS firmware before updating; otherwise you'll just get a black screen when trying to use EmuNAND.
- Have fun! If you have Animal Crossing: New Leaf, there's a set of tools for dumping and editing the RAM file. Google it!


Thanks!
~Jesse (jebug29)

 

[kurocygnus]

Nice guide.
But i have a question... I have a 3DSXL with FW 9.7.0-25U and where i live, i don't have any access to a GW, Sky3DS or anything like this. There is any way to get DevMenu or BigBlueMenu without a flashcard/GW?

 

[Retr0Capez]

Nice guide.
But i have a question... I have a 3DSXL with FW 9.7.0-25U and where i live, i don't have any access to a GW, Sky3DS or anything like this. There is any way to get DevMenu or BigBlueMenu without a flashcard/GW?

No.

 

[cb9]

Nice guide.
But i have a question... I have a 3DSXL with FW 9.7.0-25U and where i live, i don't have any access to a GW, Sky3DS or anything like this. There is any way to get DevMenu or BigBlueMenu without a flashcard/GW?

There is no way without a flashcard and Gateway only works up to FW 9.2 so your only hope would be a Sky3ds at this point. The Sky3ds is available everywhere check here for a local official reseller of the Sky3ds http://www.sky3ds.com/reseller.html

 

[kurocygnus]

There is no way without a flashcard and Gateway only works up to FW 9.2 so your only hope would be a Sky3ds at this point. The Sky3ds is available everywhere check here for a local official reseller of the Sky3ds http://www.sky3ds.com/reseller.html

Thanks. I'll try to buy a Sky3DS. Do you know if they send it worldwide?

 

[lostmytone]

now the emuNAND is V9.8 , is this tutorial still work ? or i still need a gateway 3ds ? i m considering this official reseller : http://www.dsflashcart.com/gateway-3ds-flashcart-play-3ds-games-on-3ds-xl-and-3ds-console-p-284.html

 

[Monty Kensicle]

now the emuNAND is V9.8 , is this tutorial still work ? or i still need a gateway 3ds ? i m considering this official reseller : http://www.dsflashcart.com/gateway-3ds-flashcart-play-3ds-games-on-3ds-xl-and-3ds-console-p-284.html

rxTools and Gateway work with 9.8 emuNAND.

 

[2ta]

I can't get it to work for me.

my 3DS is 9.2.0, original 3DS XL. I open up the gateway exploit, backup my NAND, format emuNAND, put rxtools.dat and the slotkey on the root, open RX, the bottom left are both green, but when i click LAUNCH RXMODE it hangs on black.

EDIT: formatted my sysNAND and re-did the format emuNAND option. still not getting past the black screen.

EDIT 2: Works now. had a bad slot0x25Key.bin file.

Hi sir, having the same prob, how would I know if I have a BAD Slotx25?

 

[TidusWulf]

Hi sir, having the same prob, how would I know if I have a BAD Slotx25?

Just depends on your source for the keyslot. Did you find a pre-made file or did you simply find a place where someone posted the HEX data as text? If you have the hex data, you'll need to use a hex editor to create a new empy file, paste the data, and save it as slot0x25Key.bin You can't make a notepad file and save it as such.

 

[tubesteak]

Cheers for the well-written guide! Just a question though: How do I change the theme on my home screen so I can easily distinguish between running sysNAND or emuNAND?

Edit: Never mind, found out this is only possible in the new FW version through emuNAND

 

[PandaMayFire]

So now basically, setting up and launching emuNAND is entirely possible now without a Gateway. 4.2 console > follow this guide to setup emuNAND > Install rxTools > Install FBI on emuNAND with rxTools > Profit

 

[Effef]

One question, is emuNAND region free? Can I use an American/Japanese CIA with an European emuNAND? And what about foreign GBA/DSiWare?

 

[Superfisher87]

two question's
1.would that update sysnand if you don't format sysnand to separate sysNand from Emunand.
2.can EmuNAND transter with legit SysNAND system transfer example like one 3ds is on 9.9 EmuNAND and other 3ds 9.9 sysnand or is that is impossible. would that update the sysnand.

 

[PandaMayFire]

two question's
1.would that update sysnand if you don't format sysnand to separate sysNand from Emunand.
2.can EmuNAND transter with legit SysNAND system transfer example like one 3ds is on 9.9 EmuNAND and other 3ds 9.9 sysnand or is that is impossible. would that update the sysnand.

Yes, both your NANDS will most likely update when you went to update your emuNAND. I had my 2DS update even after I unlinked my NANDS, but my 3DS never had this problem.

 

[Superfisher87]

PandaMayFire I don't trust this because rxtools is old version and laucher.dat is old also it's bad idea to use that also that would update my Original 3DS fimware 9.2 would the latest rxtools v2.6,laucher.dat work to update emunand.

 

[ninja21]

great tutorial, helped me out alot!

 

[AoiKunieda]

Works with v 9.6.0-24 ?
I can downgrade to 9.2 ? Help plz ><

 

[Mollycule]

Props to you sir, very good and foolproof guide, 4x o3DS successfully running RXTools and emunand 10.3!

 

[Procyon]

Props to you sir, very good and foolproof guide, 4x o3DS successfully running RXTools and emunand 10.3!

Are the nands unlinked by default?

 

[Mollycule]

No, when I finished this mod I changed to dark theme on Emunand and it changed sysnand to dark too, I formatted sysnand (and reinstalled themehax) and then they seem to have been unlinked as the Emunand's theme changes no longer carry over to sysnand.

Hope this helps!

 

[Procyon]

No, when I finished this mod I changed to dark theme on Emunand and it changed sysnand to dark too, I formatted sysnand (and reinstalled themehax) and then they seem to have been unlinked as the Emunand's theme changes no longer carry over to sysnand.

Hope this helps!

I formatted emunand with tiny formatter I think they're unlinked