Homebrew Is there a way to install extracted CIA files without requiring double space?

[gbadl]

The Vita is able to install pre-extracted VPK files quicker because it doesn't need to extract from the VPK. Is it possible to extract cia files on pc and then have an installer move the game files and make home menu icon without having to extract and install from cia. If the answer is no, what is the reason? because from my understanding a CIA file is just an archive.

 

[Demifiend]

Yes, it is a method called Socket Punch which allows you to transfer cias from your PC to the 3DS, all you need is the latest version of FBI and the program, link is here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/release-socketpunch-fbi-network-cia-installer-for-android-pc.412174/

Also, you can download the games free using freeshop, which allows you to download "Eshop" games for free, essentially, and alternatively, you could just grab and pull a ticket to FBI, and download the game from the Internet directly to the 3DS.

 

[gbadl]

How about using sd transfer?

 

[Demifiend]

How about using sd transfer?

...?, sure, you can also install cias directly from the SD as well, it takes the double amount of space, so let's say a cia of 500mb will need 1gb of more of available space on your SD.

If that wasn't the case, sorry that i couldn't understand your question, if you could word it differently, that would be helpful. In the end, the only ways to install cias are with the PC using Internet, freeshop, tickets or direct installing.

 

[gbadl]

...?, sure, you can also install cias directly from the SD as well, it takes the double amount of space, so let's say a cia of 500mb will need 1gb of more of available space on your SD.

If that wasn't the case, sorry that i couldn't understand your question, if you could word it differently, that would be helpful. In the end, the only ways to install cias are with the PC using Internet, freeshop, tickets or direct installing.

Your right sorry. So you know how an archive has files inside it? A CIA has files inside it as well.

1) I would extract the CIA file on a PC to a folder, this folder would contain the game data like movies, levels, graphics.
2) Copy that folder to my 3ds SD card.
3) Use an application to move that data to the correct location and make and icon on the home menu.

So basically in this case it is different and quicker then using a CIA installer because there is no need to extract and install the data from a CIA archive, it just needs to be moved to the correct place and moving data to the right place requires no extra space on the SD.

Is this possible? On Vita it is possible to do it manually on the system itself.

 

[Temarile]

Pretty sure your only option is freeshop or socket punch.

 

[ihaveahax]

1) I would extract the CIA file on a PC to a folder, this folder would contain the game data like movies, levels, graphics.
2) Copy that folder to my 3ds SD card.
3) Use an application to move that data to the correct location and make and icon on the home menu.

that's not how it works internally. CIA installation basically involves decrypting the contents, and copying them to a specific location, while checking the hashes for them. extracting won't get you any closer unfortunately.

the only way you can install a CIA without requiring "double space" is network transfer.

 

[gbadl]

that's not how it works internally. CIA installation basically involves decrypting the contents, and copying them to a specific location, while checking the hashes for them. extracting won't get you any closer unfortunately.

the only way you can install a CIA without requiring "double space" is network transfer.

I think I understand what you mean.

So it is console specific? Like does it decrypt using console specific information like the OTP? I am guessing the network transfer utility reads that information from the 3ds on the fly. If Socket Punch doesn't require anything from the 3ds can it just install to a folder on PC? Or if we have our console specific files can we decrypt on PC? Then we can transfer that folder to the 3ds and run a utility on the 3ds that won't install anything but just make a home menu icon.

 

[ihaveahax]

I think I understand what you mean.

So it is console specific? Like does it decrypt using console specific information like the OTP? I am guessing the network transfer utility reads that information from the 3ds on the fly. If Socket Punch doesn't require anything from the 3ds can it just install to a folder on PC? Or if we have our console specific files can we decrypt on PC? Then we can transfer that folder to the 3ds and run a utility on the 3ds that won't install anything but just make a home menu icon.

no, it decrypts the titlekey, then decrypts the contents using that. I'm not going to go into the technical details about that right now, but if you really don't want to copy the CIA to SD then install, or use network features, you'll have to figure out how you'd manually add the title to title.db, ticket to ticket.db, etc.

FBI just installs the CIA while it receives it over the network.

 

[hacksn5s4]

does the freeshop have the game install as its downloading

 

[Maq47]

does the freeshop have the game install as its downloading

It works almost exactly like the eShop, so yes it does.