Tutorial  Updated

How to use NitroHax3DS (Including Managing Cheats File Size)

NitroHax3DS is a tool to apply cheat codes to NTR (NDS) games on the 3DS. This tutorial guides you on how to install, add cheats, and how to deal with the 2,500kb (2.5mb) cheats.xml file size limit. This tutorial does not show you the general usage of NitroHax, as the homebrew GUI generally takes care of that for you.

Requirements
  • A 3DS with Luma 6.1.2 or newer using boot9strap is the recommended setup for your 3DS and for any homebrew.
    If you are still on arm9loaderhax, pasta cfw, or anything alike, then try updating your hacks to boot9strap.
  • NitroHax3DS 0.99.NTR (Final ver?) CIA file, Do not use the DSi release downloads.
  • FBI 2.6.1 (Final) for installing NitroHax3DS CIA file.
  • Revolution 4 Cheat Code Editor (R4CCE) for managing the cheats.xml cheats and therefore the file size.
  • An Action Replay XML file (cheats.xml), e.g., DeadSkullzJr Repo (right click -> save link as), CodeJunkies EU, CodeJunkies US
NitroHax3DS Installation and Usage

Please follow the instructions on the NitroHax3DS readme for general Installation and Usage Instructions.

Lowering the cheats.xml file size

While NitroHax3DS has no actual cheats.xml file size limit, it should NOT exceed 2.5MB, nor should it really even get close to that size. NitroHax3DS loads the cheats.xml to RAM and the 3DS only has 4MB of RAM. This means you would potentially run out of ram, or leave too little amount of RAM available for the game or system to work sufficiently.

To be on the safe side I recommend lowering the cheats.xml file size to be less than 1.5MB in size. The lower it is, the better. You should only have cheat codes for games you want to use, and only have cheat codes you plan to actually use. White screens and crashes may be caused by the cheats.xml being too large (even if it's around 1.5MB).
  1. Open R4CCE, click `File` -> `Open` -> And open the cheats.xml file.
  2. Remove all cheats for games you do not have and/or want to use, the more you can remove the better.
  3. Once you have the cheats.xml lowered as much as you can, Put it on the root of your 3DS SD Card.
F.A.Q

Q: I get a white screen when booting from Nitro but not when I boot normally;
A: The game may be unsupported, or the cheat code may be incompatible with your specific ROM region.

Q: I'm encountering a problem that happens even if I disable all cheats, yet doesn't happen if I play without NitroHax3DS;
A: It might be a NitroHax3DS problem. If you feel strongly that it could be a NitroHax3DS bug, report it on the GitHub Issues page and not here.

Q: Do DSi Enhanced Games work? What about DSi Exclusive Games?
A: No! [source] Sadly DSi Enhanced Games are not supported! This is due to NitroHax using an incredibly outdated Cart loader code that is not compatible with TWL game cartridges. This means both DSi Enhanced and DSi Exclusive games are not supported. E.g., Pokemon SoulSilver/HeartGold (DSi Enhanced), and Face Training (DSi Exclusive).

Got a question not here? Post it below.
 
Last edited by PRAGMA,

Giodude

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sooo.... when i run the program literally everything fails and no firms are dumped. Could anybody know whats causing this?
 

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@Aurora Wright Is it safe to use luma-dev for this?

I've read that you will get banned if you use the dev branch, is this true or just old info?
That is false, since the beginning of the dev branch. You will not be banned if you use it
Where did you heard that you can be banned using luma dev?
 

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It happens to me too, same things, both self-patched and pre patched black screen. I have an o3DS original. (4 years :D). Since the original has that 3D light I have a thing to add. It crashes before the 3D light shuts off.
Does any other DSiWare load?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

This happens to me too, I tried pre-patch twlbg and it just booted to blackscreen :(
Does any DSiWare load?

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Hey man,after luma updater 1.4 when i try to check what luma version i have its emty and it always says that there is a newr more stable version no matter how many times I update.Can you help?
Download the 6.0.1-NORMAL version and move the twlBg.cxi to sd:/luma/ (NOT sysmodules)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Also is the default cheats xml only for USA cheats?
Works for any cheats from any region, If its a working cheat then it will work on the game. It ignores the region.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Im getting an error that says: FAT init failed Check that SD access was enabled!
Anyone know how to fix this? I re downloaded the latest dev version of luma through luma updater so I know its not that.
Download 6.0.1-NORMAL and move twlBg.cxi to sd/luma/ (NOT sysmodules)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

still didn't work
You didnt put the NCCH dumped TWL_BG_FIRM.bin file into /input of the firm_patcher folder (YOu need to rename it to firmware_twl.bin)

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

@Aurora Wright Is it safe to use luma-dev for this?

I've read that you will get banned if you use the dev branch, is this true or just old info?
It works on the Normal Luma 6.0.1 now.

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

sooo.... when i run the program literally everything fails and no firms are dumped. Could anybody know whats causing this?
Happens to some of us, Google search "twlBg.cxi" and click the second link for pre-patched cxi's

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

You cant directly link its not allowed.
 
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PRAGMA

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Neither DSiWare nor DS carts work with the cxi in my sysmodules. It's like TWL_Firm is totally broken. It could be because I can't/don't use a9lh but I'm not sure.
Well you must be using A9LH if ur on Luma. And it seems to be happening to a small few people, All I can say is update to the latest HOURLY NORMAL version must be hourly and move the cxi to /luma (not sysmodules)
See if it works then
 

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Well you must be using A9LH if ur on Luma. And it seems to be happening to a small few people, All I can say is update to the latest HOURLY NORMAL version must be hourly and move the cxi to /luma (not sysmodules)
See if it works then

Well, i was definitely using a9lh and hourly luma, and it wasn't working. I've noticed it seems to be affecting more o3ds users though, could that be a factor?
 

PRAGMA

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Well, i was definitely using a9lh and hourly luma, and it wasn't working. I've noticed it seems to be affecting more o3ds users though, could that be a factor?
Possibly, Perhaps you downloaded the wrong. .cxi? Maybe you downloaded the n3DS .cxi instead of the o3DS cxi
 

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Possibly, Perhaps you downloaded the wrong. .cxi? Maybe you downloaded the n3DS .cxi instead of the o3DS cxi

As I said earlier, I not only used a patched dump of my twlfirm, but also used a pre patched o3ds twlfirm. I've just noticed a pattern where it seems most people with problems (assumedly) initialising the patched twlfirm seem to be on o3ds systems...
 

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As I said earlier, I not only used a patched dump of my twlfirm, but also used a pre patched o3ds twlfirm. I've just noticed a pattern where it seems most people with problems (assumedly) initialising the patched twlfirm seem to be on o3ds systems...
That does seem true, I havent seen anyone with a n3DS have issues. Im not exactly sure what your next best move would be either :/
 

herolarcio

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Well you must be using A9LH if ur on Luma. And it seems to be happening to a small few people, All I can say is update to the latest HOURLY NORMAL version must be hourly and move the cxi to /luma (not sysmodules)
See if it works then
luma, aureinand did support non-a9lh, maybe not anymore though
The latest version of Luma doesn't require A9LH. you can freely use it via menuhax and the ctr boot manager. I made sure I was using 6.0.1-dev before trying any of this. Up until I tried this, I've been using RXTools, the migration was simple and easy. I also ensured (and as it says in the readme for nitrohax) that I installed to both SysNAND and EmuNAND, booting from either NAND causes the same result. Black (as in turned off black) screen with 3D light having not turned off.
 
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PRAGMA

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The latest version of Luma doesn't require A9LH. you can freely use it via menuhax and the ctr boot manager. I made sure I was using 6.0.1-dev before trying any of this. Up until I tried this, I've been using RXTools, the migration was simple and easy. I also ensured (and as it says in the readme for nitrohax) that I installed to both SysNAND and EmuNAND, booting from either NAND causes the same result. Black (as in turned off black) screen with 3D light having not turned off.
Perhaps thats why, You dont actually have A9LH so it doesn't open the full potential of Luma,
Example: You have an android phone, You root it (LUMA), You now have extra abilities and can use root only stuff, But if you flash a Custom ROM (A9LH) you now have more potential.
 

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