Homebrew On 10.7 with Sky3DS+: Should I downgrade anyway?

[Joeli53]

Given that I can already play back-ups on my Sky3DS+, I was thinking about downgrading to maintain Homebrew access for emulators.

However, I have several purchased eShop games with extensive save files (Pokémon X, etc.). Will I lose any of these games and save files when I downgrade and install a CFW? Are there any other drawbacks I should be aware of?

 

[azublazer]

Yes. Downgrade now before it's too late. I downgraded and sold my Sky3ds card. No need for it anymore. There are ways to convert your save files to continue to use them. If the saves you're worried about are for legitimate eshop titles, then you can just copy the saves from your SD card if I'm not mistaken. No drawbacks to downgrading and installing CFW. I prefer CFW over my old Sky card any day.

 

[sweis12]

https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/OTP-Info
IF you have a couple hours, follow this guide.
It will set you up with downgrade, and installing A9lh (100 boot rate, instant CFW at startup)
It is 100% worth it. The guide is in depth and you will not brick if you follow the directions perfectly.

 

[Joeli53]

https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/OTP-Info
IF you have a couple hours, follow this guide.
It will set you up with downgrade, and installing A9lh (100 boot rate, instant CFW at startup)
It is 100% worth it. The guide is in depth and you will not brick if you follow the directions perfectly.

Thanks, but do you have any insight on the questions I had? Do I lose my purchased eShop games and saves during this process?

 

[sweis12]

Thanks, but do you have any insight on the questions I had? Do I lose my purchased eShop games and saves during this process?

No. You loose nothing.

Sent from my SM-G930T using Tapatalk

 

[Kyojin]

Do you have a New 3DS? I'm asking since there is a minor risk of "soft bricking" when downgrading to 9.2. It means that your console gets stuck on an error screen at boot after the downgrade, but DO NOT worry, this does not harm your console or anything, and is easily fixable by booting to the recovery menu and updating to the latest version (11.0 for now). This risk can be completely avoided by formatting the console before proceeding to downgrade.

So if you have a New 3DS, I would recommend that you back up your eShop games save files and format before downgrading and completing the guide steps. If you have an O3DS or 2DS, you can just ignore this.

N.B.: unrelated to what I just said, you cannot lose your eShop games since their are tied to your NNID.

 

[Ricken]

Do you have a New 3DS? I'm asking since there is a minor risk of "soft bricking" when downgrading to 9.2. It means that your console gets stuck on an error screen at boot after the downgrade, but DO NOT worry, this does not harm your console or anything, and is easily fixable by booting to the recovery menu and updating to the latest version (11.0 for now). This risk can be completely avoided by formatting the console before proceeding to downgrade.

So if you have a New 3DS, I would recommend that you back up your eShop games save files and format before downgrading and completing the guide steps. If you have an O3DS or 2DS, you can just ignore this.

N.B.: unrelated to what I just said, you cannot lose your eShop games since their are tied to your NNID.

Alternatively, back up all eShop save games with a save manager then use TinyFormat, then immediately downgrade

 

[Kyojin]

Alternatively, back up all eShop save games with a save manager then use TinyFormat, then immediately downgrade

"Alternatively" to what? That's what I was recommending (backup + format before downgrade).

 

[Joeli53]

Do you have a New 3DS? I'm asking since there is a minor risk of "soft bricking" when downgrading to 9.2. It means that your console gets stuck on an error screen at boot after the downgrade, but DO NOT worry, this does not harm your console or anything, and is easily fixable by booting to the recovery menu and updating to the latest version (11.0 for now). This risk can be completely avoided by formatting the console before proceeding to downgrade.

So if you have a New 3DS, I would recommend that you back up your eShop games save files and format before downgrading and completing the guide steps. If you have an O3DS or 2DS, you can just ignore this.

N.B.: unrelated to what I just said, you cannot lose your eShop games since their are tied to your NNID.

Alternatively, back up all eShop save games with a save manager then use TinyFormat, then immediately downgrade

I actually do have a New 3DS. So, if I choose to format my New 3DS before downgrading, I should back-up my saves, but at what point in the process (if I'm following this guide step-by-step: https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki) should I restore the saves? Also, I have an ambassador license on my console. Will I be able to redownload those files from the eShop?

 

[Ricken]

"Alternatively" to what? That's what I was recommending (backup + format before downgrade).

oh oops lol

My mind called TLDR after the first paragraph. oops

 

[Kyojin]

I actually do have a New 3DS. So, if I choose to format my New 3DS before downgrading, I should back-up my saves, but at what point in the process (if I'm following this guide step-by-step: https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki) should I restore the saves? Also, I have an ambassador license on my console. Will I be able to redownload those files from the eShop?

You can proceed to re-download your eShop games and restore the saves once you finished the tutorial. You can use a save manager like @Ricken suggested (such as svdt).

Regarding the Ambassador Certificate, it should be tied to your NNID too, so should be fine to redownload it from the eShop. If for some reason you can't do that, you can still install the Ambassador Certificate CIA once you're finished (you can find it on a certain ISO site), and/or the ambassador games.

 

[Joeli53]

You can proceed to re-download your eShop games and restore the saves once you finished the tutorial. You can use a save manager like @Ricken suggested (such as svdt).

Regarding the Ambassador Certificate, it should be tied to your NNID too, so should be fine to redownload it from the eShop. If for some reason you can't do that, you can still install the Ambassador Certificate CIA once you're finished (you can find it on a certain ISO site), and/or the ambassador games.

Much thanks! I'm using svdt right now to make save back-ups (accessing Homebrew through Ninjhax via Cubic Ninja on my Sky3DS+), but it keeps randomly freezing on a yellow or red screen. I keep having to reboot my n3DS after a freeze and trying again, so it's taking a little longer than I thought. I'll keep trying though.

 

[Ricken]

Much thanks! I'm using svdt right now to make save back-ups (accessing Homebrew through Ninjhax via Cubic Ninja on my Sky3DS+), but it keeps randomly freezing on a yellow or red screen. I keep having to reboot my n3DS after a freeze and trying again, so it's taking a little longer than I thought. I'll keep trying though.

Try using Mashers HBL

https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-homebrew-launcher-with-grid-layout.397527/

Might help with the freezing

 

[Kyojin]

Much thanks! I'm using svdt right now to make save back-ups (accessing Homebrew through Ninjhax via Cubic Ninja on my Sky3DS+), but it keeps randomly freezing on a yellow or red screen. I keep having to reboot my n3DS after a freeze and trying again, so it's taking a little longer than I thought. I'll keep trying though.

You're welcome! The freezing, tends to happen on Ninjhax and similar entry points unfortunately, yes. But once you'll finish the setup, you'll have the Homebrew Launcher installed as an app to your homemenu, so it'll be much better.

 

[Joeli53]

So if you have a New 3DS, I would recommend that you back up your eShop games save files and format before downgrading and completing the guide steps. If you have an O3DS or 2DS, you can just ignore this.

Okay, I've backed up my save files with svdt and am ready to format before downgrading. Is there a certain process to follow for formatting before proceeding with the steps on Part 2 [https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/Part-2-(Downgrading)]?

 

[Ricken]

Okay, I've backed up my save files with svdt and am ready to format before downgrading. Is there a certain process to do so before proceeding with the steps on Part 2 [https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/Part-2-(Downgrading)]?

TLDR; make an updates folder on the root of your SD, download the N3DS 9.2R (region) folder from the guide, put ALL the cia files in the updates folder (although iirc JPN 3DS' need to delete a certain file), download PlaiSysUpdater and put it on your SD, and run PlaiSysUpdater from the HBL.

 

[Kyojin]

Okay, I've backed up my save files with svdt and am ready to format before downgrading. Is there a certain process to follow for formatting before proceeding with the steps on Part 2 [https://github.com/Plailect/Guide/wiki/Part-2-(Downgrading)]?

Not really. I was having the "soft brick" issue upon downgrading on my New 3DS, and the regular system format available in the 3DS system settings fixed it, so go with just that.

Don't forget to backup your SD card data to your computer!

EDIT: if you are on Chrome, you can use this extension to help you follow your progress on Plailect's guide.

TLDR; make an updates folder on the root of your SD, download the N3DS 9.2R (region) folder from the guide, put ALL the cia files in the updates folder (although iirc JPN 3DS' need to delete a certain file), download PlaiSysUpdater and put it on your SD, and run PlaiSysUpdater from the HBL.

Please don't TL;DR the guide. Every step has to be done carefully.

 

[Joeli53]

Not really. I was having the "soft brick" issue upon downgrading on my New 3DS, and the regular system format available in the 3DS system settings fixed it, so go with just that.

Don't forget to backup your SD card data to your computer!

EDIT: if you are on Chrome, you can use this extension to help you follow your progress on Plailect's guide.

Hmmmm...when I click "Format System Memory" in the regular settings, it needs to connect to the internet before proceeding. My system has also already downloaded the 11.0 system update via Spotpass previously. I fear that if I allow it to connect to the internet to format my system, it'll format to 11.0. Should I just try downgrading without formatting beforehand and just risk the softbrick?

 

[Ricken]

Hmmmm...when I click "Format System Memory" in the regular settings, it needs to connect to the internet before proceeding. My system has also already downloaded the 11.0 system update via Spotpass previously. I fear that if I allow it to connect to the internet to format my system, it'll format to 11.0. Should I just try downgrading without formatting beforehand and just risk the softbrick?

Use TinyFormat https://github.com/javimadgit/TinyFormat/releases/download/v1.0.0/TinyFormat_v1.0.0.zip

Please don't TL;DR the guide. Every step has to be done carefully.

lol, sorry. I have a form of the guide memorized (I follow the guide with variations, my differences being Cakes over Luma because Spider [You can H&S inject and launch Cakes without ever using Sliderhax, which I hate ] and BBM over FBI), so I can't help but TLDR it sometimes

 

[Kyojin]

Hmmmm...when I click "Format System Memory" in the regular settings, it needs to connect to the internet before proceeding. My system has also already downloaded the 11.0 system update via Spotpass previously. I fear that if I allow it to connect to the internet to format my system, it'll format to 11.0. Should I just try downgrading without formatting beforehand and just risk the softbrick?

Yep, forgot about that stupid "let met check if you can format" thing on the 3DS. Don't take the risk and go with @Ricken's advice!