ROM Hack [Release] 3DS Simple CIA Converter

[placebo_yue]

Well, maybe I don't know where to get cia, but the one place i've been always getting stuff from has games in .3ds =/
Can you direct me to a better place, then?

literally search for "(name of the game) CIA DOWNLOAD" and something will pop up

 

[OmiNya]

Yes, I went through several pages and only found 3ds. I got very angry, took a break and did another search. Only then I noticed that the sites I was looking at had a "selector" to choose between CIA and 3DS, and it was 3DS by default everywhere. So now I'm fine.

 

[raxadian]

Nowadays you can use Godmode on a 3DS to both turn .3ds files to .cia and to decrypt .cia files and even turn .cci files into .cia files. Of course if you don't have a hacked 3DS then yeah you need sruff like this.

 

[Misakianimation]

It was always a chore to do this on the 3ds with those slow as heck 1MB/s sppeds during conversion, not to mention having to deal with space. so this really massively helps.

 

[MaladroitJoypad]

I need some help here, I did everything as suggested but I got an error message:

 

[Sidnegel]

ive got the boot9.bin file in the xorpads folder, only need this stupid thing to encrypt larger 4gb files so i can actually put them on the 3ds. I need help though, im struggling here. ive created the ncchinfo.bin which is in the root of the folder. when i try to convert it tells me {File "00400000011C400.Main.exheader.xorpad" not found. Generate it using ncchingo.bin and put inside "xorpads" folder.} I also tried to generate a new boot9.bin through the firmware but when holding start+select+x the screen just stays off until i let go and does not generate a new boot9.bin at least not one i can find. the only thing i suspect is an issue with the boot9.bin im using which was dumped through godmode9. Please help, i just want to play some hacked pokemon roms but i need to convert them before i can :c

Post automatically merged: Jun 5, 2024

getting 3ds to cia v0.21 by ihaveamac on github worked like a charm. For whatever reason (and i am years behind on this) this tool seems to be out of date and no longer works. again for all future people who read this with the same issue i was having as of june 2024 go to github and grab ihaveamac's 3ds to cia software it works and is hassle free.

 

[moupie]

ive got the boot9.bin file in the xorpads folder, only need this stupid thing to encrypt larger 4gb files so i can actually put them on the 3ds. I need help though, im struggling here. ive created the ncchinfo.bin which is in the root of the folder. when i try to convert it tells me {File "00400000011C400.Main.exheader.xorpad" not found. Generate it using ncchingo.bin and put inside "xorpads" folder.} I also tried to generate a new boot9.bin through the firmware but when holding start+select+x the screen just stays off until i let go and does not generate a new boot9.bin at least not one i can find. the only thing i suspect is an issue with the boot9.bin im using which was dumped through godmode9. Please help, i just want to play some hacked pokemon roms but i need to convert them before i can :c

Post automatically merged: Jun 5, 2024

getting 3ds to cia v0.21 by ihaveamac on github worked like a charm. For whatever reason (and i am years behind on this) this tool seems to be out of date and no longer works. again for all future people who read this with the same issue i was having as of june 2024 go to github and grab ihaveamac's 3ds to cia software it works and is hassle free.

Put the boot9.bin file in the same folder as the .exe

 

[legolas119]

hi,
i need to convert my games from .3ds to cia, which is the newest and simple method/software i can use?

thank you

 

[FR0ZN]

hi,
i need to convert my games from .3ds to cia, which is the newest and simple method/software i can use?

thank you

The one in this thread does the job.
Get a copy of boot9.bin and you are good to go.

 

[raxadian]

hi,
i need to convert my games from .3ds to cia, which is the newest and simple method/software i can use?

thank you

Godmode in kernel mode 3ds to cia.

Boot Godmode in kernel mode and follow these instructions:

https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-convert-3ds-files-to-cia-files-using-godmode9.552384/

Why you need kernel mode? So the cia will work with your specific 3DS.

 

[legolas119]

thanks! i found this guide too:
https://www.cfwaifu.com/3ds-to-cia/

I followed the guide, i tried to converd 5 .3ds games but every process failed...i really don't know why...
Well, i would like to try the new 3DS emulator, Azahar and this emulator only use decrypted games. Even if my games are decrypted, the emulator consider them as encrypted, So i'm trying to convert .3ds to cia and then i would like to install them (i was able to install a .cia game in Azahar, the only .cia game i have, and it works).
But i don't know how to proceed, i tried different options but currently i'm not able to run none of my 3ds games on Azahar (only the cia one works).

I tried to use a tool to decrypt games, it decypted only 5 of my games: it means that the others are already decrypted... but even if i try to use the 5 decrypted games, the emulator doesn't run them, I always have this error log:
Service.FS <Warning> core/file_sys/ncch_container.cpppenFile:127: Failed to open D:/EMULATORI/Nintendo 3DS/Azahar/user/sdmc/Nintendo 3DS/00000000000000000000000000000000/00000000000000000000000000000000/title/0004000e/0009e500/content/00000000.app

THanks

 

[raxadian]

i really don't know why...

Did you reboot your 3DS with Godmode in kernel mode?

You need to do that before conversion of .3ds to .cia using Godmode or the .cia may fail in your 3DS.

 

[legolas119]

Did you reboot your 3DS with Godmode in kernel mode?

You need to do that before conversion of .3ds to .cia using Godmode or the .cia may fail in your 3DS.

no...i followed this guide: https://www.cfwaifu.com/3ds-to-cia/, in step 5 it doesn't specify to reboot the console... so, what i have to do, please?
I push START and power on the console to enter in Godmode, and after that which is the next step before to follow the guide from step 5?

thank you

 

[raxadian]

You have to turn off your 3DS, then hold the start button then power on and pick Godmode and THEN do the file conversion.

If it doesn't work, your .3DS file may be faulty.

 

[legolas119]

well, just to be sure:
1) 3ds turned off
2) START + power on: GodMode9 starts
3) push Home Button --> is it correct?
4) if it is correct, do i have to push Reboot system ? If so, if i choose Reboot, have I to hold START again in order to enter again in GodMode? or Do i have to push another command?

I tried to follow the guide above, and from step 5:
https://i.postimg.cc/2SHM1BVq/Cattura.png

but as i said, the process failed with every game, I mean that I enter in GodMode holding START and after that i follow the guide:
home button --> Scripts --> GM9Megascript --> Miscellaneous --> .3ds to .cia Converter --> choose a game from the list

Is there an error on what i do?

thanks

 

[raxadian]

A) Press and hold (Start), and while holding (Start), power on your console. This will launch GodMode9

B) Navigate to the folder in which you previously placed your .3ds files into,

C) Select a .3ds file of your choice

D) Once selected the bottom screen should now display a list of options select NCSD image options... then Build .cia from file

E) Wait for the process to complete and a .cia file should be built in 0:/gm9/out

F) Reboot your 3DS normally and install the .cia file using FBI.

That's it, if it doesn't work, the .3ds file may be corrupted.

 

[ihaveahax]

Keep in mind that GodMode9 can directly install from the .3ds file, no cia conversion step needed. Select the file -> NCSD image options... -> Install game image

 

[legolas119]

A) Press and hold (Start), and while holding (Start), power on your console. This will launch GodMode9

B) Navigate to the folder in which you previously placed your .3ds files into,

C) Select a .3ds file of your choice

D) Once selected the bottom screen should now display a list of options select NCSD image options... then Build .cia from file

E) Wait for the process to complete and a .cia file should be built in 0:/gm9/out

F) Reboot your 3DS normally and install the .cia file using FBI.

That's it, if it doesn't work, the .3ds file may be corrupted.

thanks, even if i triy in this way, the process failed with all the 5 .3ds games i tried... It is very strange as those games perfectly works with Lime3DS emulator or Citra...

Post automatically merged: Mar 26, 2025

Keep in mind that GodMode9 can directly install from the .3ds file, no cia conversion step needed. Select the file -> NCSD image options... -> Install game image

thanks, but i don't need to install them on my 3DS (i have already installed them time ago), i need .cia files in order to try to install them on Alazhar emulator. it only works with decrypted games or .cia

 

[raxadian]

thanks, even if i triy in this way, the process failed with all the 5 .3ds games i tried... It is very strange as those games perfectly works with Lime3DS emulator or Citra...

Emulators working with faulty roms is no surprise. You will probably need to dump the real 3DS games again or get different roms.

Bad dumps do tend to work in emulators but have problems in real hardware.

 

[selfafflicted]

I recently found this tool very helpful. As others have mentioned, most of the directions in the OP/readme are now irrelevant, but that's actually a good thing as it's easier than it even used to be! Here is a quick tutorial for those of you that are struggling. It might look wordy, but it'll take less than 5 minutes. You can do this!

1) Download the "3DS Simple CIA Converter v5.0.rar" file. It's attached to the 1st post in this thread.​

2) Extract its contents to the drive you store your 3DS games on.​

3) What you will have extracted is a folder named "3DS Simple CIA Converter v5.0". Inside the folder there is a readme file you don't need, and the program itself "3ds_simple_cia.exe". Double-click that program, then close it.​

4) Now the "3DS Simple CIA Converter v5.0" folder will have new folders inside of it that were created when you ran the program. They are named:​

• cia
• roms
• xorpads

5) Now you will need a boot9 file from your 3DS. THE GOOD NEWS IS, YOU PROBABLY ALREADY HAVE IT Remember when you hacked your 3DS? One of the last steps they had you do was backup your 3DS's important system files in case something goes wrong in the future. That boot9 file is one of those things you backed up. Go find the location where you backed up those files. (If you do not have that backed up, then Google "3ds dump boot9", follow a guide, then come back here)​

6) These files have weird names because they mix your serial number in, but you're looking for the one that has a "boot9" in the name. Mine looked something like this "QW12728434_boot9_00.bin". Make a copy of that file into the "3DS Simple CIA Converter v5.0" folder. Lastly, make sure to rename it to simply "boot9.bin".​

​

7) You're done! Now simply put .3ds files you want to convert in the "roms" folder, run the "3ds_simple_cia.exe" program, and click "Convert 3DS ROM to CIA". It will convert the .3ds games in the roms folder, and leave .cia versions in the "cia" folder.​

​

It takes a while for the conversion process depending on file size, and your computer. Start small, and just do one or two at a time to get a feel for it

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Following this mini guide, I was able to convert all my 3DS files to CIA format without any issues.

For anyone else trying to do the same, here’s a tip regarding the boot9.bin file:
If you’ve deleted, moved, or simply forgotten where your backup is, you can regenerate it. Power off your 3DS, then hold Start + Select + X and press the Power button to turn it on. Keep holding the buttons—the screens will remain black. I held them for about 20 seconds, I'm unsure about the exact timing. If done correctly, Luma will boot, and you should see a new folder on your SD card (if it doesn't already exist) called boot9strap—located in the root of the SD card. Inside, you’ll find your boot9.bin file—mine was named exactly that, without any serial number.

Also, in Step 3 of the guide, make sure to close the program after initially opening it. If you don’t, you’ll get an error when trying to click the “Convert to CIA” button, even after placing the .bin file in the correct folder.