Homebrew What exactly are CIA files and can I use them?

[Deleted User]

Hi all,

I've recently installed menuhax on my 3ds to run a snes emulator.

Now I've read there is something called FBI installer which can install CIA files. There was also something about legit CIA files. Here's the post: https://gbatemp.net/threads/how-to-install-legit-cia-files-9-3-10-3.407854/


Does this mean I can install and play some games without using a flash cart?
If yes, is there any risk of bricking the 3ds when installing these? (As they install to the SD-card or so I've read).


Would be really nice if someone could clarify!

Thanks!

-- Quick edit --
I'd like to clarify I only used the browser hack to install menuhax and put blargSNES on my SD-card. I do not have any kind of custom firmware or emunand.

 

[LuigiXL]

Well i suggest you read the stickies to help familiarise yourself but yes, you can use CIA's, I would recommend using a CFW, it is very simple to setup. If you follow the guides carefully you wont risk a brick but of course you can never be 100% sure.

 

[Lacius]

The answers to your questions depend on which system version your 3DS is on. Regardless, you can install legit CIA files, which include a very small list of prominent games (Pokémon, etc.). As long as you aren't installing system files and you're just installing games, the risk of a brick is almost nonexistent.

If you're on 9.2 or lower, you can install any CIA file using CFW, which includes all 3DS games. If you're not on 9.2, you can downgrade to 9.2 by running SafeSysUpdater using menuhax.

 

[Purge]

You can only install cia files using a CFW.

 

[EmulatorLover]

*facepalm*

 

[Lacius]

You can only install cia files using a CFW.

You don't need CFW to install legit CIA files such as system files and a few particular games.

 

[Purge]

You don't need CFW to install legit CIA files such as system files and a few particular games.

Let me clarify: you can't use a health & safety injected FBI to install cia files without cfw

 

[ScarletDreamz]

Does this mean I can install and play some games without using a flash cart?

Yes

If yes, is there any risk of bricking the 3ds when installing these? (As they install to the SD-card or so I've read).

Yes, Theres always risk when installing cias, but its on emunand, and make sure you always get a NandBackUp.

I do not have any kind of custom firmware or emunand.

Well, sadly you need both of them. So start by there.

 

[Froster]

Let me clarify: you can't use a health & safety injected FBI to install cia files without cfw

Bro,FBI works for <=10.7 with Homebrew Launcher.
The only problem is that you can install only legit cias...

 

[DesuIsSparta]

CIA files are a compressed and packaged game or program file.

Yes, CIAs can be risky and deleting and installing can lead to a brick.

FBI and DevMenu are the most popular CIA installers.

 

[Lacius]

Let me clarify: you can't use a health & safety injected FBI to install cia files without cfw

One can install legit CIA files using the Homebrew Launcher without CFW.

Well, sadly you need both of them. So start by there.

CFW and emuNAND, while recommended, are not required to install just legit CIA files. CFW is only required if one wishes to install illegitimate CIA files, which most 3DS games are.

 

[Purge]

Bro,FBI works for <=10.7 with Homebrew Launcher.
The only problem is that you can install only legit cias...

Do you not know what injecting to health & safety means?

 

[ScarletDreamz]

CFW and emuNAND, while recommended, are not required to install just legit CIA files. CFW is only required if one wishes to install illegitimate CIA files, which most 3DS games are.

As paranoid as it sounds, i dont like installing cias on a sysnand, without proper brick protection, AKA Emunand, Nand Backup, Hardmod, or at least ARM9LH.
Might as well just install Aureinand or Rxtools while there. and set up Emunand.

 

[Froster]

Bro,FBI works for 10.7 with Homebrew Launcher.
The only problem is that you can install only legit cias...

Do you not know what injecting to health & safety means?

Yeah,but here is kinda useless lel.

 

[Lacius]

Do you not know what injecting to health & safety means?

If one is just installing legit CIA files without CFW, one cannot use H&S injection, and this method is not needed. In fact, H&S injection is not needed for anyone with access to the Homebrew Launcher, regardless of whether or not a person is using CFW.

 

[Purge]

If one is just installing legit CIA files without CFW, one cannot use H&S injection, and this method is not needed. In fact, H&S injection is not needed for anyone with access to the Homebrew Launcher, regardless of whether or not a person is using CFW.

I know it's not needed. I'm saying that it's not even an option if you don't have cfw.

And considering the fact that OP has access to HBL, he should just use it to get on 9.2 if he's not already as there is literally no reason not to. And he won't be limited to just being able to use legit cias

Also, if you've installed cfw, it really makes no sense to not use health & safety injection. Having to go through HBL every single time you want to install a cia file is incredibly inconvenient.

 

[Deleted User]

As much as I appreciate all your replies ( thanks all! ) this is exactly why I posted this question; It's so unclear as what to do as everyone yells yes and no and even this:
*facepalm*

So I just came up with an idea, and please do not facepalm it.

The guides here and on the internet are very hard to read/understand and mostly incomplete as there's one guide for each step in running games and due to brick potential this leads to questions by people like me which are posting here.

I came from a long-time-ago wii-community which had bootmii and stuff documented really well up to the point where people don't even post questions about softmodding anymore.

So I came up with the following idea; if you guys could help me get this up and running (step by step from the point where I am at the moment) I will put together an extensive guide for those like me, including screenshots and stuff of everything I've done to get games running on my 3ds.


Things I'd like to know:
- I already got Homebrew Launcher running on FW version 9.4.0-21E.
- What should I do next, downgrade to 9.2 as from what I understood in your posts?
- I need a NAND backup? What's the current/most used way to do this at the moment?
- I need a CWF or emunand I think. What's the best one? What's the difference between those 2 or are they the same?


PS. If you don't want me to put together an extensive guide please say so.

 

[cearp]

http://gbatemp.net/threads/what-is-a-legit-cia-and-other-noob-cia-questions-answered.386705/

 

[Deleted User]

Never mind, followed this (https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/Part-2-(Downgrading)) guide to downgrade to 9.2. Went well, reboot in 10 seconds.... black screen! -- Edit -- Fixed by removing the SD-card

 

[Mopquill]

"16. If you get a black screen after downgrading, follow this troubleshooting guide"

It's generally that you still have menuhax on the card, and it's for a different menu version. Remove your SD card and boot again.