[Tutorial] Installing rxTools Custom Firmware - (3DS and 2DS)

Aeth-r · Jan 7, 2016

Getting this error when I execute cdn_firm.py:

Used Python 2.7 and it worked.

Ghaleon1982 · Jan 7, 2016

samiam144 said:
Just go to Data Management. Don't do this in Sysnand unless your nands are unlinked.

I tried but the icon is still there

bac0 · Jan 7, 2016

Everything is running perfect, next i will take care of "auto-boot" rxtools. When i unlinked nands, I copied dbs back to the smaller profile(sysnand), and still when i go to data management it doesnt ask to repair. It´s not causing me any "malfunction" is it safe to keep it like this? Thanks

porko · Jan 7, 2016

awesome.

my 2nd rxtools install, this time i downgraded a 2ds to do it

it felt easier than before, though i'm not sure if it's because i have experience or the new stuff has made things a bit more streamlined, either way, i'm a happy camper!

Justin20020 · Jan 7, 2016

Hey guys, my emunand launches at boot. If I want go in the hbl, it goes back to emunand (tried with hbl launcher cia and ninjhax). I won't change the boot.3dsx again. Is there a way to use menuhax for emunand and something else to come up to hbl?

hudhair · Jan 7, 2016

samiam144 said:
General requirements:

The web browser app OR a way to use Ninjhax OR a Gateway flashcard

A DS flashcard only if your system is on 4.X or 6.X and you have no web browser

Firmware version requirements:
Old 3DS/XL
USA & EUR & JAP: Firmware 4.X-9.2
Each method's level of difficulty from Easiest to hardest:
Gateway > Ninjhax > FBI Injection > Downgrading + Palantine/PBT CFW

2DS
USA & EUR & JAP: Firmware 6.X-9.2
Each method's level of difficulty from Easiest to hardest:
Ninjhax > Gateway > FBI Injection
(Ninjhax and Gateway are switched because Gateway is known to sometimes have issues with the Multirom menu loading on a 2DS)

N3DS/XL (not covered in this guide, read below)
USA & EUR & JAP: Firmware 8.X-9.2
Each method's level of difficulty from Easiest to hardest:
Gateway > Ninjhax
(Gateway is first only because it works even on browser-less N3DS models.)

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Important Links

Official rxTools GitHub

Official rxTools Release thread

Official rxTools Support thread

RxTools Nightlies by @WhoAmI?

Official rxTools -with Pasta- CFW Theme Thread

Other Tutorials

Complete rxTools Manual by @mlinares

rxTools N3DS/XL Tutorial by @wurstpistole

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For people who prefer a video tutorial, here is one made by @DarkFlare69
It is based on this tutorial.
Note: the written tutorial has been updated since the making of this video, so some things are outdated. It is still usable though!
Dated: September 25, 2015
For Old 3DS and 2DS models only.

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Instructions for users that don't have the browser app on their system
For Old 3DS and 2DS models only.

If you do not have a browser, you will need to be on either 4.x or 6.x firmware, and you will need a DS flashcart that works on your 3DS.
If you are below 4.x and don't have a browser, you must use a physical game to update to either 4.x or 6.x.
If you are on 5.x and don't have a browser, you must use a physical game to update to 6.x.
You can use 3DSDB to see which games contain a 4.x or 6.x update.
If you are above 6.x firmware and you don't have a browser, your only chance to get CFW is to find someone that can setup Ninjhax for you. Ask in this thread or the official thread for more info.

Now, since you don't have a browser, you will need to follow this guide in a different order. It is recommended that you use two tabs to follow this tutorial; one to keep track of the following steps, and another to go the sections indicated.

Go to Part 2 and follow the instructions. This step will have you place the proper rxTools files on your SD card.

Go to the section Launching rxTools through the System Settings app - MSET! and do the steps for your specific firmware version (4.x or 6.x). This step will setup the MSET entrypoint on your 3DS. Ignore the steps that require the browser.

Now MSET should be setup. You should be able to access rxTools now by going to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile.

If rxTools works, congrats! Now we will try to get a cia installer on your sysnand.

Go to Part 4a and follow the instructions, but instead of choosing EMUNAND in lines 2, 7, and 8, choose SYSNAND.

You should now have FBI in sysnand! FBI is what you will use to install .cia files. Think of CIAs as a zip folder; when you install it, it will extract all its contents to the "Nintendo 3DS" folder on your SD card. Once a cia is installed, you can delete the .cia file.

At this point, you have two choices.

A) You can find a .cia of a browser that is compatible with your firmware. I do not know if it is safe to install the 7.1.0-16 to 9.5.0-22 browser on a lower firmware, so I will not tell you how in this guide. If you do decide to do this, you will then be able to do Part 1 normally and create your nand backup and Emunand. After that, you can do whatever other steps in the guide that you haven't done yet, such as setting up Menuhax (autobooting RxTools). I highly suggest you don't go this route, and instead choose the following choice.

B) You can update to 9.0.0-20 firmware now (and yes, a browser is included!). The only downside is that you will not have a backup of your current firmware in case you mess up. However, I have guided a handful of people through the process and am confident that you can do it if you follow the instructions carefully. The advantages is that you will be on a complete firmware (that many people are on) with the proper browser, and you will be able to setup Menuhax (autobooting RxTools) much quicker.

If you chose to go with option A, stop now! If you chose to go with option B, then let's continue!

Go to the section How to Update your 3DS/2DS to 9.0 or 9.2 and follow the instructions very carefully.

Once that's done, you should be greeted with a new Home Menu! You are now on 9.0, and you now have a browser.

Finally, you can go ahead and do Part 1 and do just the Old 3DS and 2DS users - No gateway or cubic ninja? Try FBI Injection! section.

Now you have Emunand and your nand backup!

OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED: you can now unlink your nands. See why and how in the Emunand Information section.

OPTIONAL BUT RECOMMENDED: you can now update your Emunand. I recommend doing so after unlinking nands, but it is your choice. See why and how in the Emunand Information section.

Congrats! It was long, but it was worth it in the end right? Now you can install Menuhax to finally be able to autoboot rxTools. Just follow the Launching rxTools at boot - Menuhax! section.

One last thing: be sure to read the Understanding FBI section to get a better understanding of how to install games. Also check out the Dsi/GBA/NES/etc. support and Have a DS flashcard? sections for other cool stuff!

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Updated for: rxTools 3.0 nightly
Date: 12-05-15_08-48(December 5, 2015 @ 8:48UTC)
Git commit: a08cfdd

Part 1 - Making your Nand Backup!

No Gateway or Cubic Ninja? We got you covered!

1. Download EmuNAND9 (latest release)
Put Launcher.dat in the root of your SD Card

2. In your SD card, there should be a Nintendo 3DS folder. Open it, and open the folder inside that (has a long name of random numbers and letters); that is your Sysnand's ID folder.

If there are two or more ID folders, then do the following steps for both folders. One folder belongs to your 3DS. If there is another similar folder, it probably belongs to another 3DS that you inserted your SD card into. Ignore the "private" folder if there is one.

There should be another folder within, so open that too. You should now see an "extdata" folder. If you don't see a "dbs" folder as well, download this zip folder and put the "dbs" folder beside the extdata folder.

*Again, if the dbs folder already exists, and you have a title.db and import.db file inside, do not replace them!

3. Boot the 3DS/2DS and go into Settings —> Data Management —> Software. It’ll ask to reset or repair your software management information or sd card, so allow it to do so. Again, you do NOT have to do this if you already had the dbs folder and the two files inside your SD card.

4. Open your 3DS/2DS internet Browser and go to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ to launch EmuNAND9.

5. Once in EmuNAND9, navigate to EmuNAND Manager Options and then Dump SysNAND to NAND.bin. This will create a NAND backup of your 3DS.

6. Turn off your 3DS. Find NAND.bin on your SD card and transfer it to your PC for safe-keeping (seriously.)

Continue to Part 2.

Gateway card users:

If you have emunand set up and already installed a few CIA's, please note:
Gateway and rxTools use the EXACT SAME emunand, so any CIA you install in GW emunand will be seen and boot-able in rxTools.
You cannot launch rxTools while in GW emunand, and vice versa.

You only have to install a cia installer (FBI, BBM, Devmenu) to Emunand (and Sysnand if you want) using your Gateway, then follow only Part 2 of this tutorial.
Then just launch Rxtools by following Part 3 and that's it! CFW without needing the Gateway card, plus the ability to play GBA and DSi cias.

Users with only Cubic Ninja or Sky3DS loaded with a Cubic Ninja ROM:

Download EmuNAND9 (latest release)
Put Launcher.dat in the root of your SD Card
boot up your 3DS
Open your 3DS internet Browser and go to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ to launch EmuNAND9.

Once in EmuNAND9, navigate to EmuNAND Manager Options and then Dump SysNAND to NAND.bin. This will create a NAND backup of your 3DS.

Turn off your 3DS. Find NAND.bin on your SD card and transfer it to your PC for safe-keeping (seriously.)

Now, in your SD card, there should be a Nintendo 3DS folder. Open it, and open the folder inside that (has a long name of random numbers and letters). There should be another folder within, so open that too. You should now see an "extdata" folder. If you do not see a "dbs" folder as well, download this zip folder and put the "dbs" folder beside the extdata folder.

*Again, if the dbs folder already exists, and you have a title.db and import.db file inside, do not replace them!

Put the SD back into the 3DS.
Boot the 3DS and go into Settings —> Data Management —> Software. It’ll ask to reset or repair your software management information or sd card, so allow it to do so. Again, you do NOT have to do this if you already had the dbs folder and the two files inside your SD card.

Setting up Ninjhax & PastaCFW:

For 3DS' between 4.0.0-7 and 9.2.0-20 (Ninjhax 1)
Go here and select your SYSNAND version
Follow ALL the steps under the "How do I run Ninjhax?" section. This will install Ninjhax Version 1.

For 3DS' between 9.0.0-X and 9.2.0-X (Ninjhax 2.5)
Go here and select your SYSNAND version
Follow ALL the steps under the "How do I run Ninjhax?" section. This will install Ninjhax Version 2.5

After all that is done, download FBI Cia installer and put the 3ds folder on the root of your SD card root.
Also download BigBlueMenu from the Maxconsole link here and place the BigBlueMenu.cia file on your SD card root.
SD:\3ds\FBI
SD:\BigBlueMenu.cia

If using Ninjhax 1, setup PastaCFW.
Download the latest zip and put the 3ds folder on the root of your sd card (merge if necessary)

If using Ninjhax 2.5, setup Mini-Pasta.
Place the "miniPasta" folder inside the "3ds" folder on your SD like this: SD:\3ds\miniPasta\

Now, insert your cubic ninja cart / sky3ds, start ninjhax, and select Pasta CFW/Mini-Pasta
Once you boot into Pasta, run ninjhax AGAIN and start the FBI application
Next, select the BigBlueMenu.cia you put on your SD earlier and press A to install it (make sure on the top screen it says "destination: SD" and "Mode: Install CIA"
This installs BigBlueMenu to your home menu in sysnand.

Now that you have BBM on your sysnand, make a backup of your sd card!!!

Open your 3DS internet Browser and go to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ to launch EmuNAND9.
Once in EmuNAND9, navigate to Complete EmuNAND Setup. Follow the instructions, and ignore the starter.bin warning. Wait for the EmuNAND creation process to finish.

Once that's done, you can put all your SD card contents back on your card.
You don't need to put NAND.bin back on your sd card unless you want to downgrade to 4.X

Proceed to do Part 2 and Part 3. Skip Part 4a, Part 4b, and Part 5, and read the rest of the guide.

Part 2 - Preparing rxTools!

Download the recommended RxTools build for this guide here
TEMPORARY MIRROR LINK: Here

If you choose to use rxTools 2.6 or 2.5.2, just follow the instructions in the readme found in the rxtools download. After doing so, you can skip to Part 3.

Download Python version 2.7

Direct Windows installer link

If you are using Windows, right-click the rxtools.rar and open Properties. If at the bottom, it says the file is blocked, check "Unblock" and Apply. This should take care of any problems you have with the following steps.

Mac users: If you're having problems running rxtools (black screens, Installation Suite errors, etc.) try extracting the rxtools zip using a reputable .zip extractor or a Windows PC (or virtualbox).

Backup and delete any "rxtools" folder that you may have on your SD card before doing the following steps!

1. Put the "rxtools" folder on your SD card root.

2. Run cdn_firm.py in the "Tools" folder. It will generate a firm folder in the same folder that cdn_firm.py is in. The firm folder must go into the rxTools folder like so: SD:/rxtools/firm
3. If your 3DS is below 7.x firmware: Get "slot0x25KeyX.bin" (Hint: google it, download link should be in the description of a certain youtube video ) (MD5: 817FD1BFFBA60F79CF8CDF19CAF28923). Put this file on your SD card root.

For ninjhax users, you also need to get the "rxtools" folder (found inside the ninjhax folder from the rxtools zip) and put it alongside your other homebrew apps, like FBI.

Part 3 - Launch rxTools for the first time!

To launch from the internet browser: boot up your 3DS
Open your 3DS internet Browser and go to https://dukesrg.github.io/?rxTools/sys/code.bin (you should bookmark this. To do so, turn off your WiFi, then attempt to connect to the URL. It will fail; now you can open the browser menu and bookmark it.)
If it fails or gives you an error, click the wrench icon and clear cookies and history before trying again. If that doesn't work, clear all save data as well (should be at the very bottom of the browser settings).

To launch from Cubic Ninja, start the game and go into the QR option to boot the homebrew launcher. Select rxtools!

If you installed the MSET exploit for rxTools, you can launch it by going to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile. For instructions to do this, see the section below, titled "Launching rxTools through the System Settings app - MSET!"

Hold L when the bottom screen glitches to get into the menu if it is sending you back to the homemenu!!!

It should show you an Installation Data Suite. Press A when it completes; it should then tell you that EmuNAND is not found; this is normal, we didn't create EmuNAND yet.

To setup rxTools to launch when your 3DS turns on, see the section titled "Launching rxTools at boot - Menuhax!" after completing Part 5.

Part 4a - Installing a CIA Installer
Only for users without a Gateway card or a Cubic Ninja game

Adapted from this thread (thanks @d0k3 and co.!)
Please visit that thread if you have any issues with this section.

Download BigBlueMenu from the Digiex link here and place the BigBlueMenu.cia file on your SD card root.

SD:\BigBlueMenu.cia

Download Decrypt9WIP all-in-one, the latest version.

Place the Launcher.dat on your SD card, overwriting the old one.

Go to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ to launch Decrypt9WIP.

Navigate to SysNAND File Options and then Dump Health & Safety. Let the process finish.

Turn off your 3DS.

Download the Universal Inject Generator.

If you are using Windows, right-click the zip and go to Properties. If there is an option to unblock the zip, do that and press OK.

Extract Universal-Inject-Generator-master.zip and place the folder somewhere on your PC.

Insert your 3DS SD into your PC.

Find the hs.app file on your SD and place it in the Input folder that is inside the Inject Generator.

Place a copy of BigBlueMenu.cia in the Input folder as well.

Run go.bat. If there are no issues, you will find that there are two inject-ready .app files in the Input folder.

To finally inject BigBlueMenu into SysNAND, rename the BigBlueMenu-with-banner.app file to hs.app and place it on your SD, overwriting the one that is already there.

Launch Decrypt9WIP again, and navigate to SysNAND File Options.

Choose health&safety inject to inject the hs.app. Don't worry, it's not as dangerous as you may think.

Now, launch the rxTools menu (hold L during launch), and boot RXMODE SysNAND.

You will be booted to what appears to be regular SysNAND.

Navigate to the H&S app and it should now be the BigBlueMenu app (Title Manager)!

Launch BigBlueMenu.

Go to the SDMC tab. Basically, this is your SD card it is looking at.

Navigate to BigBlueMenu.cia and press A. Press A again to confirm.

You just installed your first CIA!

Continue to Part 5 now.

Download FBI.cia

1. Boot up your 3DS and launch rxTools. Hold L when the bottom screen glitches to get into the menu.

2. Press dpad RIGHT to go to Advanced Options -> Press A -> Install FBI -> Press A -> choose EMUNAND, then select "check TMD version".

3. Take note of the console region and the TMD version, and turn off your 3DS.

4. Open the rxtools download and open the "Tools/fbi_injection/[region]/[version]" folder and copy the "fbi_inject.app" and "fbi_inject.tmd" files to the SD card root dir.

5. Put the FBI.cia from the FBI download onto your sd card

6. Boot up your 3DS and launch rxTools. Hold L when the bottom screen glitches to get into the menu.

7. Press dpad RIGHT to go to Advanced Options -> Press A -> Install FBI -> Press A -> choose EMUNAND, then select "Install FBI". When it's done, it will ask what you want to do with the source. Select "keep" if you want to install FBI to sysnand later.

8. Now, return to the rxtools main menu and select RXMODE -> EMUNAND and launch the Health & Safety Information app, it should boot FBI instead

9. Select FBI.cia and press A to install it.

In your SD card, there should be a Nintendo 3DS folder. Open it, and open the folder inside that (has a long name of random numbers and letters); that is your Sysnand's ID folder.

If there are two or more ID folders, then do the following steps for both folders. One folder is for your Sysnand and the other is for your Emunand; if there is another similar folder, it probably belongs to another 3DS that you inserted your SD card into. Ignore the "private" folder if there is one.

There should be another folder within, so open that too. You should now see an "extdata" folder. If you don't see a "dbs" folder as well, download this zip folder and put the "dbs" folder beside the extdata folder.

*Again, if the dbs folder already exists, and you have a title.db and import.db file inside, do not replace them!

Should look similar to this:

Now, boot the 3DS/2DS and go into Settings —> Data Management —> Software. It’ll ask to reset or repair your software management information or sd card, so allow it to do so. Do this in Sysnand and Emunand!

10. You should now have a new FBI app on your home menu, use that to install your CIAs!

Part 4b - Gateway card users only

You are pretty much done. If you want to have a CIA installer in sysnand so you can install stuff (I recommend GBA and DSi only), then:

Download FBI (I recommend version 1.4.2 at least) and put the .3ds file on your gateway 3DS flashcard, and the .cia file on your 3DS SD Card

Launch the GW exploit, but hold L to get into the menu

Highlight the first option, "Boot Gateway Mode"

Hold B, and the text should change to "Boot Gateway Sysnand Mode"

While still holding B, press A.

Press X at the confirmation screen to boot into Sysnand with signatures patched.

Once in sysnand with sigs patched, press Select to bring up your Rom Multiloader

Select FBI

Use FBI to install FBI.cia to destination=SD

Now you can install any cia while in Sysnand rxMode without needing the GW card.

Part 5 - Creating EmuNAND!

We will now create EmuNAND!

Backup your SD card now.

Open your 3DS internet Browser and go to http://go.gateway-3ds.com/ to launch EmuNAND9.
Once in EmuNAND9, navigate to Complete EmuNAND Setup. Follow the instructions, and ignore the starter.bin warning. Wait for the EmuNAND creation process to finish.

Once that's done, you can put all your SD card contents back on your card.
You don't need to put NAND.bin back on your sd card unless you want to downgrade to 4.X

Let's recap.

This is what we've done up to this point:

We made a NAND backup - this is important in case you ever brick your 3DS.

We set up rxTools for accessing via the browser - this is not the only way to access rxTools, and it is actually the most inefficient way to do it. Read the rest of the guide for details.

We injected BigBlueMenu to Sysnand and used it to install BigBlueMenu again - this is beneficial because:

You can use it to install GBA and DSi games

You won't lose BBM when you update your EmuNAND.

We are now able to update EmuNAND to the latest version - this allows the highest game compatibility, and eShop access. Read the next section for instructions on how to do this, as well as what you should and shouldn't do regarding updating EmuNAND. I also highly recommend unlinking your nands before updating EmuNAND, to prevent accidental sysnand updates and issues with CIAs and Menuhax.

EmuNAND Information

Some users report their sysnand still being updated following the below steps. Unlinking your nands before attempting to update may avoid this. Please read this post before deciding to unlink nands: http://gbatemp.net/threads/guide-the-emunand-save-data-mega-guide-gbatemp-doesnt-deserve.378491/(Please, please, pleasseee read this!).

If you have an update nag on sysnand, follow these short steps to delete the update from your system first, reducing any risk of updating sysnand to be EXTREMELY unlikely. Do not do step 4 obviously, click "no"!

To update your emunand, only do so through the System Settings app.
Do NOT update if it asks you if you're "ready to start system update" or whatever it says whenever you boot your 3ds, OR through the Eshop. It will update your sysnand instead.

How to properly update emunand: Boot into Emunand, and launch System Settings. Make sure it says RX-E or RX3D in front of the version number to be sure that you are in emunand, and go straight to Other Settings -> System update without exiting the System Settings app.

If you need Emunand tool (for backing up your emunand), then you can find it here.

How to unlink nands:
1. In sysnand, go to System Settings -> Other Settings -> Format System (Do not accept yet)
2. Eject your Sd card (don't worry, it is safe)
3. Accept to Format your 3DS/2DS (let it connect to the internet if it asks, it will not update your system)
4. After it reboots, go through the setup screen and set everything up
5. Once in the home menu, insert back your sd card and let it create some files on your sd card.
6. Your nands are now unlinked, and there are 2 ID folders in your Nintendo 3DS folder on your SD card (one for emunand, another for sysnand)

How it will look on your SD card:

The folder with the smallest size belongs to your sysnand, since you just formatted it. Grab the database zip again and put the title.db and import.db in YourSysnandFolder/RandomNumbersAndLettersFolder/dbs, just like you did in Part 1: Line 1 & 2! Don't forget to go to Data Management in Sysnand to let the 3DS "repair" your software management information!

----------------You are now ready to install CIAs! Read further to learn about RxTools' other features and capabilities!----------------

How to install Games, Updates, Patches, DLC, Homebrew, etc. using a BigBlueMenu / Title Manager / BBM

Download any .cia file. Don't ask where to get them. There is a certain iso site for 3DS games that you can find on Google though.

Place the .cia file(s) on your SD card. I recommend placing them in a CIA folder to avoid clutter.

Open RXMODE EmuNAND or SysNAND (depending on which nand you would like to access the .cia from).

Launch BigBlueMenu / Title Manager, or any other CIA Installer that you have installed.

Go to the SDMC tab.

Go to the location of the .cia file(s)

Highlight the .cia and press A.

Press A once more to confirm the installation.

Wait for it to finish.

If you want to delete the .cia file after installation (since it isn't needed anymore once installed), highlight the .cia and press X, then A to confirm.

Press HOME and you should get a notification that you have a new app.

This only happens if it's a new game, app, or homebrew that you installed. There is no notification if you just installed DLC, a game update, or a System App.

Unwrap the gift and enjoy!

DSi/GBA/NES/etc. support

The patched AGB_FIRM is no longer needed (but if you already have it, you can keep it, doesn't matter)

DSi games can be ran through sysNand, and reportedly emuNand as well. Install to sysNand to play them in sysNand; install to emuNand AND sysNand if you want to play them in emuNand. DSi cias must be installed to NAND destination (if using FBI).

GBA games can be ran through emunand, or sysnand. They still have to be installed to both emunand and sysnand if your nands are unlinked! GBA games should be installed to SD (if using FBI).
Personally I just install them to Sysnand and play them from there.

Have a DS flashcard?

If you have a DS flashcard that was able to be used on a 3DS at some point before Nintendo blocked it, you may be able to use it again! Note: The following method will not work for old DS flashcards that were blocked since the release of the original 3DS.

Note: You need to use a CIA installer other than BigBlueMenu. Use FBI or Devmenu_2x
Please read the Understanding FBI at the very bottom of this guide before using FBI.
If you don't want to read that, use Devmenu_2x, it is simpler to use.

Open the Gateway Ultra download and go into the "Blue Card Fix" folder.
There will be a bluecardfix.cia inside; put it on your 3DS sd card.
Insert your SD back into your 3DS.

If you haven't injected FBI to Sysnand already, do so now by following Part 4a and choosing Sysnand in #7.

On your 3DS:

Launch RxMode Sysnand and open FBI or Devmenu_2x

If using FBI: Press L to change Destination to Nand

Select bluecardfix.cia and press A to install it.

If using FBI: Choose to overwrite the title when it prompts you.

Once done, exit the CIA installer.

You should now able to use your DS flashcard on your 3DS.
Things to note:

If your DS flashcard still doesn't work, then it will probably never work on your 3DS.

You should be able to use your DS flashcard in any mode (Sysnand, RxMode, Devmode/Pasta Mode), but exiting the card will bring you back to regular sysnand.

Running a DS flashcard will remove your MSET exploit if you have one (see the next section).

You can use a DS flashcard to easily install the MSET exploit (see the next section).

Launching rxTools at Boot - Menuhax!

These steps will setup Menuhax, which we will configure to allow rxTools to boot the moment you turn on your 3DS/2DS! IMO this is the best way to launch rxTools.

Note: You must be on 9.0 - 9.2 firmware. This means your sysnand has to be on or between 9.0 to 9.2 system version. To update to 9.0 or 9.2, scroll down to the section How to Update your 3DS/2DS to 9.0 or 9.2 and follow the instructions, then come back here.

Download the Homebrew Starter Pack and extract the contents to your SD card root. Put the SD card back in your 3DS.

Set a random theme on your 3DS, then change it back to the default theme.

Launch browserhax (it took MANY tries for me to finally get it to boot). Zoom-in all the way to the slider at the top-left and touch the very right of the bar. It may work touching the very left side as well.

Once in the homebrew menu, run the menuhax_manager v2.0 installer and install menuhax.

(At this point, I also set a custom button setup so that it loads sysnand only when I hold R. This is Type 2 in the config menu.)

After all that, test if menuhax boots you into the homebrew menu at cold boot. Just turn off your 3DS and turn it back on. Be sure to hold a button (or not), depending on what config you chose. The default is to hold L during boot. In my example above, I don't have to hold anything to launch menuhax, but if I hold R, then menuhax won't launch.

Now to set it to boot rxTools instead, download the latest CTRBootManager. Rename the boot.3dsx that is on your SD card to boot_hb.3dsx. Then place the boot.3dsx and boot.cfg from the CTRBootManager download onto your SD card root.

OPTIONAL: Open up boot.cfg with notepad and change this:

to this:

Now save the boot.cfg, eject your SD, and put it in your 3DS

When you turn on your 3DS, you should see the red screen, followed by the rxTools splash screen. If you chose a custom button setup in the Menuhax installer, keep that in mind. By default, you must hold L when booting to let Menuhax run at boot-up. In my case, I chose TYPE 2, and selected the button R. This means that Menuhax will always run at boot unless I hold R (which would bring me to sysnand instead of rxTools).

Launching rxTools through the System Settings app - MSET!

These steps will downgrade your System Settings in your sysNand to the 4.x or 6.x version, which is where we will install the exploit. It is the second best entrypoint to booting rxTools, in my opinion.

Note: You need to use a CIA installer other than BigBlueMenu. Use FBI or Devmenu_2x
Please read the Understanding FBI at the very bottom of this guide before using FBI.
If you don't want to read that, use Devmenu_2x, it is simpler to use.

All users:
Want to launch rxTools via MSET so that you don't need to connect to the internet? Select your system version:

4.X

Use one of the following methods:

EASIEST METHOD: If you have a DS flashcard that works on your 3DS, open the MSET folder in the rxtools download and put the .nds file (rxinstaller.nds) on your DS flashcard's SD card. Now run it with your DS flashcard and select "rxtools 4.x".

To install MSET with FBI, you need to have FBI 1.4.14 or higher on your sysnand. Simply launch rxmode sysnand, launch FBI, and press SELECT. Now, select "rxtools3.x 4.x". MSET should now be installed.

To install MSET with the internet browser, simply put the rxinstaller.bin (from the MSET folder) on your SD card root. Then launch the browser and go to http://dukesrg.github.io/?rxinstaller.bin or http://dukesrg.no-ip.org/3ds/cakes/?rxinstaller.bin . It should freeze and crash, and send you back to the home menu. MSET should now be set up.

To launch rxTools via MSET, just turn on your 3ds, go to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile, and rxTools should boot.

5.X

In the rxtools download, open msetdg.bat

Select MSET -> your region -> 4.X

When the download completes, there will be a new folder named after your region. There should be a msetdg.bin inside, put it on your SD card root.

If you don't have a DS flashcard: grab the rxinstaller.bin for rxTools from the "mset" folder and put it on your sd card root.

Launch rxTools through the browser and hold L to open the menu. Go to Advanced Options, then Downgrade MSET. Turn off your 3DS afterwards.

EASY METHOD: If you have a DS flashcard that works on your 3DS, open the MSET folder in the rxtools download and put the .nds file (rxinstaller.nds) on your DS flashcard's SD card. Now run it with your DS flashcard and select "rxtools 4.X DG". Then skip to step 9!

Note: the "DG" beside the system version number means "downgraded".

Open the 3DS browser, and enter this URL: http://dukesrg.github.io/?rxinstaller.bin or http://dukesrg.no-ip.org/3ds/cakes/?rxinstaller.bin

Wait for a bit (it should crash and send you back to the home menu). If it doesn't crash after a minute, press HOME and it should crash.

If the next step (8) doesn't work, try clearing your cache and history before entering one of the above links.

Now you can launch rxtools by going to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile

6.X

If you don't have a DS flashcard: grab the rxinstaller.bin for rxTools from the "mset" folder and put it on your sd card root.

EASY METHOD: If you have a DS flashcard that works on your 3DS, open the MSET folder in the rxtools download and put the .nds file (rxinstaller.nds) on your DS flashcard's SD card. Now run it with your DS flashcard and select the 6.X MSET option. Then skip to step 4.

Note: the "DG" beside the system version number means "downgraded". So if you are on 9.x using the 6.x mset, you would use "6.x DG". If you are on 6.x system version, you would use simply "6.x".

If you have FBI 1.4.14 installed in sysnand, you can run it, press SELECT, and choose "rxtools3x 6.x" to install the exploit. Then you can skip to step 4.

If you used a DS flashcard in step 1, then skip to step 4! Open the 3DS browser, and go to one of these URLs: http://dukesrg.github.io/?rxinstaller.bin or http://dukesrg.no-ip.org/3ds/cakes/?rxinstaller.bin

Wait for a bit (it should crash and send you back to the home menu). If it doesn't crash after a minute, press HOME and it should crash.

If the next step (4) doesn't work, try clearing your cache and history before entering one of the above links.

Now you can launch rxtools by going to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile

7.X - 9.2

In the rxtools download, open msetdg.bat

Select MSET -> your region -> 6.X if you have a 2DS, or either one if you have a 3DS.

When the download completes, there will be a new folder named after your region. There should be a msetdg.bin inside, put it on your SD card root.

If you don't have a DS flashcard: grab the rxinstaller.bin for rxTools from the "mset" folder and put it on your sd card root.

Launch rxTools through the browser and hold L to open the menu. Go to Advanced Options, then Downgrade MSET. Turn off your 3DS afterwards.

EASY METHOD: If you have a DS flashcard that works on your 3DS, open the MSET folder in the rxtools download and put the .nds file (rxinstaller.nds) on your DS flashcard's SD card. Now run it with your DS flashcard and select "rxtools 4.X DG" or "rxtools 6.X DG", depending on what you picked in step 2. Then skip to step 9.

Note: the "DG" beside the system version number means "downgraded".

Open the 3DS browser, and go to one of these URLs: http://dukesrg.github.io/?rxinstaller.bin or http://dukesrg.no-ip.org/3ds/cakes/?rxinstaller.bin

Wait for a bit (it should crash and send you back to the home menu). If it doesn't crash after a minute, press HOME and it should crash.

If the next step (9) doesn't work, try clearing your cache and history before entering one of the above links.

Now you can launch rxtools by going to System Settings-> Other Settings-> Profile-> Nintendo DS Profile

How to Update to a Newer rxTools Version

Download the recommended RxTools build for this guide here
Download Python version 2.7 if you don't have it

Direct Windows installer link

If you are using Windows, right-click the rxtools.rar and open Properties. If at the bottom, it says the file is blocked, check "Unblock" and Apply. This should take care of any problems you have with the following steps.

Backup and delete any "rxtools" folder that you may have on your SD card before doing the following steps!

Place:
1. the "rxtools" folder on the SD card root.
2. the "firm" folder inside of the "rxtools" folder. How to get it:

Run cdn_firm.py in the "Tools" folder. It will generate a firm folder in the same folder that cdn_firm.py is in. The firm folder must go into the rxTools folder like so: SD:/rxtools/firm

For ninjhax users, you also need to replace the rxtools.3dsx and rxtools.smdh found inside the ninjhax folder in the rxtools download zip.

How to Update your 3DS/2DS to 9.0 or 9.2

If you want to boot rxTools as soon as you turn on your 3DS, then you need to set-up Menuhax; and to use Menuhax, you need to be on 9.0 - 9.2 firmware.
Warning: This can brick your 3DS if done incorrectly! Be sure that you follow the instructions carefully!

Requirements:

BigBlueMenu installed in sysnand (Part 4a if you don't have Gateway or Ninjhax) OR any other cia installer on Sysnand.

A rxTools 3.0 nightly (preferably the one linked in Part 2)

Also works on rxTools 2.5.2 (for those that can't launch 3.0)

Let's get started.

Click HERE

Click the CIA Format DLC's, Themes & Updates [Archive] result

Click View Full Version : CIA Format DLC's, Themes & Updates at the top of the page

Find the thread titled [MEGA] [CIA/BIN] MSET 4.X & 6.X backups, Browser backups, Update packs (All Regions)

Scroll down to the section titled Updates

Download either the 9.2 modified update pack for your region, or a 9.0 or 9.2 Full Update Pack for you region

Once downloaded, open the archive and find the "updates" folder; place it on your SD card. There should be many cia files in that folder.

Example: SD:/updates/0004013000008003.cia

Download Sysupdater

Open the archive and put sysUpdater.cia on your SD card

Insert your SD card in your 3DS

Hold L while launching rxTools to get into the rxTools menu

Press DPAD RIGHT until you highlight ADVANCED OPTIONS, then press A. Skip this step if using rxTools 2.5.2

Go down to DEVMODE or PASTA MODE and press A

After a few seconds, you should now be in sysnand; firmware spoofing is disabled but cias can still be launched in this mode.

Launch you CIA installer

Install sysUpdater.cia (Destination: SD if using FBI)

Once installed, press HOME to see sysUpdater wrapped as a gift; unwrap it.

Launch sysUpdater

sysUpdater will ask you if you are sure you want to go ahead with the update; choose to accept it.

It will also tell you that you shouldn't be in Gateway mode, or have firmware spoofing. Do not worry about this, DEVMODE / PASTA MODE has no firmware spoofing, so sysUpdater will work as intended. Just be absolutely sure you are in DEVMODE / PASTA MODE (line 13), not RXMODE SYSNAND!

Wait for sysUpdater to finish. When it is done, your 3DS will reboot into 9.0 or 9.2 firmware! You can now follow the steps to use Menuhax if you'd like.

How to move Games, Saves, Themes, and Emunand to a new SD card

Get Emunand Tool

Insert your old SD card in your PC

Open Emunand Tool and select "Extract EmuNAND"

Save it somewhere on your PC (as "emunand.bin" if you want)

Backup all your SD card files to your PC

Eject your old SD card

Put Gateway's launcher.dat on your new SD card

Format emunand on your new SD card via the gateway menu

Turn off your 3DS

Insert your new SD card in your PC

Open Emunand Tool and select "Inject NAND to emuNAND"

Select the emunand.bin you made in step 3 & 4

Close Emunand Tool when done

Put backup of SD card files (from step 5) on your new SD card

Done, emunand and files (saves, games, etc.) have been transferred to your new SD card!

Understanding FBI

Unlike other cia installers, FBI allows the user to install to either Nand or SD. 3DS games, game updates, DLC, GBA games, and homebrew, are meant to install to SD. System titles (such as the Internet Browser, or MSET), and DSi games install to Nand. To better understand Nand and SD destination, take a look at these infographics, courtesy of @pakrett and @Hashtastrophe respectively:

-----------------------------------------------------

F.A.Q

If you get the "022-2634" when trying to access the eShop on the latest EmuNAND, try this (thanks to @Nestar):

1. Backup your emuNAND.
2. Backup all emuNAND files (ticket.db etc.) with rxTools.
3. Backup the content of your SD card.
4. Format emuNAND.
5. Recover your SD card content and boot rxTools in emuNAND.
6. Update to 10.3.0-28X and boot into emuNAND again.
7. Go to system settings and to NNID at the top; follow instructions.
8. Boot emuNAND and start the eShop; simply restart the 3DS if it keeps looping after the password input.
9. Once in the eShop, close it and shut down.
10. Recover your whole SD card once more. *
11. Inject emuNAND backup.
12. Inject all emuNAND file backups.
13. Start the eShop in emuNAND and it should refresh your software.
14. And now you should have emuNAND eShop access without any loss ofStreetPass/Save/Friend/etc. data.

I cant find msetdg.bat on my download.

MSearles · Jan 7, 2016

I don't understand how to complete Part 5: Creating Emunand!

I've formatted my SD card and put the launcher.dat at the root of my sd card. I launch go.gateway-3ds.com to get into Decrypt9WIP. But I can't find any option that's titled Complete EmuNAND Setup or anything of the like. I see the options Emunand backup and emunand restore.

ImInsane · Jan 7, 2016

MSearles said:
I don't understand how to complete Part 5: Creating Emunand!

I've formatted my SD card and put the launcher.dat at the root of my sd card. I launch go.gateway-3ds.com to get into Decrypt9WIP. But I can't find any option that's titled Complete EmuNAND Setup or anything of the like. I see the options Emunand backup and emunand restore.

I done with gateway menu. Look for Emunand format.

MSearles · Jan 7, 2016

There is no option that says "Emunand format"

alternativend · Jan 7, 2016

Ok

i have menuhax, ctrboot and FBI.
Already injected some games, original 3ds xl. Sysnand 9.2 and Emunand updated to the last firmware available.
However i'm unable to acess Eshop, i've attatched a picture to this post to be more especific.
What am I doing wrong?
I need to update a Pokémon game to play online...
I'll be forever in debt for the one with answers.

NCorp. · Jan 7, 2016

alternativend said:
Ok

i have menuhax, ctrboot and FBI.
Already injected some games, original 3ds xl. Sysnand 9.2 and Emunand updated to the last firmware available.
However i'm unable to acess Eshop, i've attatched a picture to this post to be more especific.
What am I doing wrong?
I need to update a Pokémon game to play online...
I'll be forever in debt for the one with answers.

Just keep trying, I had to try a lot of times to get eShop working.
I have read that linked NAND's are the cause of this are your NAND's linked mine sure is.

alternativend · Jan 7, 2016

NCorp. said:
Just keep trying, I had to try a lot of times to get eShop working.
I have read that linked NAND's are the cause of this are your NAND's linked mine sure is.

My Nands are unlinked.
When i go to Eshop, it loads my user name, and in a bit it shows the error.

Still lurking...

NCorp. · Jan 7, 2016

Does installing Badge Centre on linked EmuNAND cause menuhax to disappear

pofer · Jan 7, 2016

samiam144 said:
2. Run cdn_firm.py in the "Tools" folder. It will generate a firm folder in the same folder that cdn_firm.py is in. The firm folder must go into the rxTools folder like so: SD:/rxtools/firm

at this part of the tutorial (using the rxTools_2015-12-05 file given in the mirror link) I dont get a FIRM folder, but just a Firmware.bin file, should I create a folder and place it there? or where do I have t place it?

MSearles · Jan 7, 2016

MSearles said:
I don't understand how to complete Part 5: Creating Emunand!

I've formatted my SD card and put the launcher.dat at the root of my sd card. I launch go.gateway-3ds.com to get into Decrypt9WIP. But I can't find any option that's titled Complete EmuNAND Setup or anything of the like. I see the options Emunand backup and emunand restore.

Solved. I used EmuNAND9 in order to complete this step. Going to go.gateway-3ds.com loaded decrypt9wip for me, not EmuNAND9. I guess I had the wrong launcher.dat file on my SD.

darklordrs · Jan 7, 2016

AidanLumina said:
My tutorial is The easy, complete, comprehensive CFW guide for everyone.

Something about this irks me. Maybe it's the lowkey feeling of hubris, maybe it's the Flowey-esque quality of ever using

..

AileenLumina · Jan 7, 2016

darklordrs said:
Something about this irks me. Maybe it's the lowkey feeling of hubris, maybe it's the Flowey-esque quality of ever using ..

I... don't really get what you mean... x3

ImInsane · Jan 7, 2016

pofer said:
at this part of the tutorial (using the rxTools_2015-12-05 file given in the mirror link) I dont get a FIRM folder, but just a Firmware.bin file, should I create a folder and place it there? or where do I have t place it?

No man, u need to run cdn_firm.py with python and he will create 3 files in a folder called firm.

samiam144 · Jan 7, 2016

Ghaleon1982 said:
I tried but the icon is still there

What CIA, and what did you use to install it?

bac0 said:
Everything is running perfect, next i will take care of "auto-boot" rxtools. When i unlinked nands, I copied dbs back to the smaller profile(sysnand), and still when i go to data management it doesnt ask to repair. It´s not causing me any "malfunction" is it safe to keep it like this? Thanks

If you have no issues installing a cia in rxmode sysnand, then it's okay!

Justin20020 said:
Hey guys, my emunand launches at boot. If I want go in the hbl, it goes back to emunand (tried with hbl launcher cia and ninjhax). I won't change the boot.3dsx again. Is there a way to use menuhax for emunand and something else to come up to hbl?

There is a way. Look at the tutorial section for now! I will be updating the OP later today with the method I am using now.

hudhair said:
I cant find msetdg.bat on my download.

Sorry about that, they don't include msetdg.bat in the folder anymore :s I will be updating the OP later today.

alternativend said:
My Nands are unlinked.
When i go to Eshop, it loads my user name, and in a bit it shows the error.

Still lurking...

Have you downgraded at any point? Have you tried to access the eShop on your formatted sysnand at time? Either of those can cause that issue.

NCorp. said:
Does installing Badge Centre on linked EmuNAND cause menuhax to disappear

Oh I don't know man, I never used badge centre. If it affects the theme, then it may indeed causes menuhax to disappear.

pofer said:
at this part of the tutorial (using the rxTools_2015-12-05 file given in the mirror link) I dont get a FIRM folder, but just a Firmware.bin file, should I create a folder and place it there? or where do I have t place it?

It should be generating a firm folder. make sure you are running the right script (cdn_firm.py) and that you have python 2.7 installed.

MSearles said:
Solved. I used EmuNAND9 in order to complete this step. Going to go.gateway-3ds.com loaded decrypt9wip for me, not EmuNAND9. I guess I had the wrong launcher.dat file on my SD.

Yes, completely my bad! When updating the tutorial I forgot to mention that step. I've added it in now. Please forgive me! lol

CheatFreak47 · Jan 7, 2016

samiam144 said:
If you get the "022-2634" when trying to access the eShop on the latest EmuNAND, try this (thanks to @Nestar):

1. Backup your emuNAND.
2. Backup all emuNAND files (ticket.db etc.) with rxTools.
3. Backup the content of your SD card.
4. Format emuNAND.
5. Recover your SD card content and boot rxTools in emuNAND.
6. Update to 10.3.0-28X and boot into emuNAND again.
7. Go to system settings and to NNID at the top; follow instructions.
8. Boot emuNAND and start the eShop; simply restart the 3DS if it keeps looping after the password input.
9. Once in the eShop, close it and shut down.
10. Recover your whole SD card once more. *
11. Inject emuNAND backup.
12. Inject all emuNAND file backups.
13. Start the eShop in emuNAND and it should refresh your software.
14. And now you should have emuNAND eShop access without any loss ofStreetPass/Save/Friend/etc. data.

Okay so I need a bit of help here, I recently downgraded from 10.3 to 9.2 and went through this tutorial to do everything and unlinked, and now in 10.3 emunand I'm getting this error. How am I supposed to do this exactly?

What tools for each step, etc.

Note, of course I do have a 9.2 NAND backup though, so how exactly should I go about this process? It seems way more easily said than done.

Talk to me like I'm a 10 year old btw, I have very little clue what I'm doing here, this is all very new to me. I'm not a total idiot or anything, but I just don't want to screw something up and totally lose everything I bought in the eShop. I'd prefer to download them that way rather then installing cia's of all of them again.

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