Hacking N3DS 2.1.0 Downgrade

[Hyoretsu]

Just noticed that Plailect's has been updated. Now, all devices go trough the OTP route. So does this means that downgrading N3DS SysNAND without having EmuNAND and CFW is now possible without bricking? If yes, gonna resume my getting otp.bin plan.

 

[Aletron9000]

Just noticed that Plailect's has been updated. Now, all devices go trough the OTP route. So does this means that downgrading N3DS SysNAND without having EmuNAND and CFW is now possible without bricking? If yes, gonna resume my getting otp.bin plan.

it uses a ctrnand transfer to flash a 2.1 nand to your sysnand. it is safer and quicker than downgrading with emunand and then flash emunand. BUT, this does not mean you won't brick using it, there is always a chance of brick at any step.

 

[xtheman]

If you already have a9lh then you don't need your otp. It isn't used at all and isn't useful.

The guide just added back what it was with the ctrtransfer method. You don't "downgrade" but instead flash a premade nand backup from a different console.

 

[Hyoretsu]

it uses a ctrnand transfer to flash a 2.1 nand to your sysnand. it is safer and quicker than downgrading with emunand and then flash emunand. BUT, this does not mean you won't brick using it, there is always a chance of brick at any step.

I'm asking because some while ago, I got this reply to my thread about getting my otp.bin:

Isn't that only on old 3DS that Luma works on 2.1? Also, don't you have to downgrade emuNAND first so it can be unbricked, then flash that to sysNAND? A direct 2.1 downgrade on an N3DS will always brick.

I probably shouldn't be saying this though, he might not do it now. I was sort of looking forward to seeing stupidity be repaid

Also, what exactly should I do if I already have a9lh+Luma3DS+BootCTR9+EmuNAND? Just uninstall a9lh, open homebrew on SysNAND (9.2), downgrade to 2.1 through CTRtransfer and re-install a9lh?

 

[GerbilSoft]

2.1 on N3DS is somewhat hackish; it involves re-encrypting the CTR-NAND partition using keyslot 0x04. (N3DS CTR-NAND is normally keyslot 0x05.) Some functionality probably doesn't work right, but it's usable for the purpose of obtaining the OTP.

While Luma3DS does support 2.1 in SysNAND, A9LH uses an 8.x N3DS FIRM for the actual initial boot process, which AFAIK causes OTP to be disabled. You may need to do a CTRNAND transfer to 9.2, remove A9LH, then CTRNAND transfer to 2.1. (Remember to back up your sysNAND first.)

(Sidenote: Do NOT, under any circumstances, close the screen while running 2.1 on an N3DS. This will result in a hard MCU brick that cannot be easily fixed.)

 

[xtheman]

@Hyoretsu You don't need to fetch your otp. It was only useful for the first time install. No homebrew programs use it expect for one but you can do the same thing with luma in ctrnand and better.

 

[Hyoretsu]

@Hyoretsu You don't need to fetch your otp. It was only useful for the first time install. No homebrew programs use it expect for one but you can do the same thing with luma in ctrnand and better.

Yeah, I know, just want to make a backup of it.

Also, just figured I lost my pre-a9lh backup, so gotta uninstall a9lh, make a backup while I'm on 9.2 SysNAND and then re-install a9lh anyways.

 

[Miles54321]

Just noticed that Plailect's has been updated. Now, all devices go trough the OTP route. So does this means that downgrading N3DS SysNAND without having EmuNAND and CFW is now possible without bricking? If yes, gonna resume my getting otp.bin plan.

It can still brick I believe,

Also, here's a tip, make sure you do not close a N3DS when in 2.1.0 it will brick!

 

[Quantumcat]

I'm asking because some while ago, I got this reply to my thread about getting my otp.bin:


Also, what exactly should I do if I already have a9lh+Luma3DS+BootCTR9+EmuNAND? Just uninstall a9lh, open homebrew on SysNAND (9.2), downgrade to 2.1 through CTRtransfer and re-install a9lh?

You don't need your OTP. Trying to get it is a huge risk with absolutely ZERO reward. Give it up!!!!

 

[Hyoretsu]

You don't need your OTP. Trying to get it is a huge risk with absolutely ZERO reward. Give it up!!!!

I still gotta get my pre-a9lh backup because I lost it.

 

[Quantumcat]

I still gotta get my pre-a9lh backup because I lost it.

No you don't - if you want to uninstall a9lh you can do so through SafeARM9Installer (and in fact you will have to to be able to downgrade to 2.1). If you want to be able to go back to an earlier version of your 3DS - getting a NAND backup right now without a9lh installed isn't going to help that.

 

[Hyoretsu]

Does a9lh blocks homebrew somehow? I'm trying to launch freakyhax, but when I select the QR code, nothing happens.

 

[Quantumcat]

Does a9lh blocks homebrew somehow? I'm trying to launch freakyhax, but when I select the QR code, nothing happens.

Why do you need freakyhax on an a9lh console? Just use the homebrew launcher cia.

 

[Hyoretsu]

It can still brick I believe,

Also, here's a tip, make sure you do not close a N3DS when in 2.1.0 it will brick!

Just don't put it in Sleep Mode? Turning off and rebooting is fine?

 

[Hyoretsu]

You don't need your OTP. Trying to get it is a huge risk with absolutely ZERO reward. Give it up!!!!

Done. Got my otp.bin and pre-a9lh backup. Right now, I'm restoring my 9.2 SysNAND backup. Only "hassle" I had was after I installed a9lh, because I still had BootCTR9's a9lh.bin, so it booted Luma3DS by default but stayed on black screen. At first, I didn't notice my splashscreen for Luma, so I tought I had bricked. Happily, I hadn't.

Also, cool profile image.

 

[HyperT]

Done. Got my otp.bin and pre-a9lh backup. Right now, I'm restoring my 9.2 SysNAND backup. Only "hassle" I had was after I installed a9lh, because I still had BootCTR9's a9lh.bin, so it booted Luma3DS by default but stayed on black screen. At first, I didn't notice my splashscreen for Luma, so I tought I had bricked. Happily, I hadn't.

Also, cool profile image.

How did you go about uninstalling a9lh without a nand-backup from pre-a9lh?

 

[Hyoretsu]

How did you go about uninstalling a9lh without a nand-backup from pre-a9lh?

Latest SafeA9LHInstaller, press START.

 

[HyperT]

Latest SafeA9LHInstaller, press START.

Flashing stock NFIRMs?

 

[Hyoretsu]

Flashing stock NFIRMs?

What's this? Only downgraded to 2.1, installed a9lh, restore previous 9.2 backup through Hourglass9 and restored my BootCTR9's arm9loaderhax.bin

 

[HyperT]

What's this? Only downgraded to 2.1, installed a9lh, restore previous 9.2 backup through Hourglass9 and restored my BootCTR9's arm9loaderhax.bin

You mentioned wanting to take a clean NAND backup without a9lh installed, just not sure how you removed your currently installed a9lh if you even did.