And they said it couldn't be done. Almost seven years after its release, @Fullmetal5 (the same developer behind str2hax and flashhax) has finally managed to find an exploit compatible with Nintendo's so-called "unhackable" Wii Mini and crack it wide open! Instead of using internet browsers or loading code from the SD card slot, both of which are (in)famously absent from the Mini, this new approach takes advantage of a vulnerability found in Broadcom's Bluetooth driver to gain arbitrary code execution and run a payload from the included USB port. This finally lets homebrew enthusiasts have fun with the console, and may also open the door to online play as well with the help of hacks and a LAN adapter!

While the exploit is making good progress, having already reached 90% completion for the Bluetooth stager and also being consistent enough to be called usable, there's still a lot of work to be done before a public release is available. There's also the possibility of HackMii Installer being incompatible with the Mini's version of IOS, in which case further new exploits will need to be found in order to make it work. You can get an idea about the state of the project in the roadmap below, which was written and shared by the dev itself:

Just to give a small roadmap: (So that people can get an idea as to what needs to be done now)

1. Write a bluetooth stager to upload payloads (%50 complete) (Note: this was stated to have reached 90% in later posts)
2. Write something to load larger payloads from usb.
3. See if the HackMii Installer's exploits work against the versions of IOS that are there (If they are similar to the Wii U's then it may already have exploits but it's possible they are different)
4. If the HackMii Installer's exploits don't work then I will need to write my own. (Shouldn't be too bad, IOS is known to be buggy. Also I'll probably do this step anyway for the fun of it.)

The exploit doesn't have an official name yet, but it's currently being referred to as "bluehax". Right now it's being tested on some specific games, however, there's a real possibility it will work out of the box with the Wii's System Menu alone due to its nature, thus removing the need of a dedicated game. It only takes a computer with a Bluetooth interface to make it work: there's no definitive usage guide just yet, but it should be as easy as running a program on your PC, hitting the SYNC button on the console, et voila - you're good to go! There is a small catch, however: development is targeting just Linux and no Windows version is planned. If you can get behind that, you'll soon be able to enjoy that sweet, sweet homebrew on the tiniest Wii Nintendo has ever made!

Source 1 (Twitter)
Source 2 (Discord server)

 

[legoinventeor]

Totally forgot about this thing

 

[Stealphie]

how tf

 

[CrossOut]

I bet that there will be an update from Nintendo to address this much like there has been 2 offcial framware updates for Vita even though it is a dead system here in the western world.

 

[banjo2]

I bet that there will be an update from Nintendo to address this much like there has been 2 offcial framware updates for Vita even though it is a dead system here in the western world.

No Internet connection though

 

[raxadian]

I bet that there will be an update from Nintendo to address this much like there has been 2 offcial framware updates for Vita even though it is a dead system here in the western world.

Since the console can't use Internet, the only way for Nintendo to update it would be to release a game disk that does it. But both the Wii and DS network died un 2014 so why would they bother?

 

[retrofan_k]

Just composite, no online no GC compatibility.... Why waste efforts to make hackeable this cheap revision?

Well, once the exploit is public an Internet IOS install and GC support will be available for it hopefully.

 

[CrossOut]

No Internet connection though

Since the console can't use Internet, the only way for Nintendo to update it would be to release a game disk that does it. But both the Wii and DS network died un 2014 so why would they bother?

I had no clue that it has gone offline altogether hahaa. Perhaps this will be the only hack that wont ever get a patch if thats the case then?

 

[TheZander]

Nintendo should hang it up now. There's no way to come back from this. Everyone in the 'just dance' and ''penguins of madagascar' discord servers is relishing about not needing to buy the new games next year so i doubt Nintendo will be able to keep their doors open. Congrats hackers and all you end users who like to "not be locked out of a device that Iiiiii paid for, blah blah"

 

[raxadian]

I had no clue that it has gone offline altogether hahaa. Perhaps this will be the only hack that wont ever get a patch if thats the case then?

The DSi isn't getting more updates too.

 

[Draxikor]

@retrofan_k Well i mean the GC ports like controllers and MC

 

[Ryccardo]

@retrofan_k Well i mean the GC ports like controllers and MC

You can install them if you want and are skilled enough (just like on an horizontal wii)

 

[N7Kopper]

Well, once the exploit is public an Internet IOS install and GC support will be available for it hopefully.

Native GCN support on the mini is a hardware issue, not software. MIOS and all the rest of it are there, but the drive rejects GCN discs and the ports and memory card slots aren't soldered to the board. Getting Nintendont to work (since it does literally the exact opposite of backwards compatibility in providing a compatibility layer to make GameCube games forwards compatible with the Wii) would just be a matter of installing a custom channel (the Homebrew Channel) with AHBPROT disabled - the mini already uses IOS 58 (Unless I'm so wrong that I may as well burn my power user hat), has a USB port, and Bluetooth support.

The Internet IOS would be better off modded to prevent it from crashing if no USB Ethernet adapter or internal Wi-Fi radio is detected - Nintendo being too lazy to do that is why the mini has no Internet at all out of the box. Ironic, because that's the only thing I can think of as to why it would have a USB port at all. The only games that use it are either online-only, store DLC there, or attach a Wii Speak, itself online-only.

 

[Draxikor]

@Ryccardo You have all the answers right? Let's be practical how many money and time would require to add the GC ports, RGB or Component output and hypothetically speaking an online adapter? IT would be less expensive and faster to buy a first generation Wii don't you think so?

 

[GerbilSoft]

The Internet IOS would be better off modded to prevent it from crashing if no USB Ethernet adapter or internal Wi-Fi radio is detected - Nintendo being too lazy to do that is why the mini has no Internet at all out of the box. Ironic, because that's the only thing I can think of as to why it would have a USB port at all. The only games that use it are either online-only, store DLC there, or attach a Wii Speak, itself online-only.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Your_Shape

"Your Shape", a game released by Ubisoft in 2009. It included a USB 2.0 camera, hence the need for a USB port on the Wii Mini. (And, interestingly enough, this is the only retail title I know of that actually uses IOS58.)

The USB port is also used for USB microphones in various music games.

 

[Ryccardo]

how many money and time would require to add the GC ports, RGB or Component output and hypothetically speaking an online adapter?

"Free" since "everyone already owns a regular Wii" for parts , about 30 minutes to half a day depending on SMD working skills

IT would be less expensive and faster to buy a first generation Wii don't you think so?

Sure, but where's the fun in that?

 

[Draxikor]

"Free" since "everyone already owns a regular Wii" for parts , about 30 minutes to half a day depending on SMD working skills

Sure, but where's the fun in that?

That's the thing not everyone know how to install mods so how much money those people have to expend to get it installed? I understand what you're talking about, i want the next year to take a course in electronics to install mods but from a gamer perspective is not worth it considering the alternative.

 

[Xalusc]

Finally, I can hack those 50+ Wii Mini's I have laying around
*cough cough*

Ah yes, the good old days of Nlub Cintendo

 

[raxadian]

@Ryccardo You have all the answers right? Let's be practical how many money and time would require to add the GC ports, RGB or Component output and hypothetically speaking an online adapter? IT would be less expensive and faster to buy a first generation Wii don't you think so?

Some People will still do it instead of getting an used White Wii because NERDS!

 

[Idontknowwhattoputhere]

how do wii hack this? /sarcasam

 

[TheSpearGuy]

Awsome news
But kinda useless since the normal Wii is cheaper and easier to find.