NTRBoot Released!

It's here!
ntrboot_checklist_2.png

Info

@Normmatt has created a way to run B9S .firm files from bootrom via a DSi Flashcard and a magnet! This works on every 3DS on any firmware version.

For installation without a PC, user @TheCyberQuake has created a pack which will automatically install B9S and copy over essential starter homebrew from the flashcard's SD to the 3DS's. This will mainly be used for PC-less B9S installations. If you have a PC with you, use 3ds.guide. Read more here: https://gbatemp.net/threads/481141/

How does this work?

This works because of a flaw in the bootrom. Before the bootrom boots the NAND, it checks to see if Start+Select+X is held down, and if the shell is closed. If these requirements are met, it will boot an NDS cartridge from the bootrom. This give that cartridge bootrom access. You might be wondering how you'd hold down buttons while the shell is closed, and why you need a magnet. If you put a magnet in a specific spot on the 3DS, it will go into sleep mode. Using this, you can boot the NDS cartridge with the buttons held down while in sleep mode! Using a reflashable flashcard, you can boot B9SInstaller using the flashcard, and easily install it on your 3DS.
The 2DS doesn't need a magnet since a switch puts it to sleep instead of a magnet.

What does this mean?

  1. Any 3DS model on any firmware can be hacked with minimal effort
  2. You can unbrick any 3DS model from any type of brick.
    - Remember, you don't need a NAND backup for this. Just do a CTRTransfer.
    - This does not apply to MCU bricks.
  3. Even consoles with fried NAND, or even the NAND chip physically removed, can use this
This is incredibly impressive stuff, and will most likely be released soon! edit: now!

FAQ

Q: Can Nintendo patch this?
A: Nope! Not without a new hardware revision.

Q: My flashcard is blocked by my firmware! Can I still use this?
A: Yes! The flashcard blacklist is not enabled on the bootrom.

Q: Why can't this work with my flashcard?
A: The installation requires you to flash NTRBoot to the flashcard's nand. Most DS flashcards, such as the original R4, have a ROM, which is not flashable.

Q: Can I install NTRBoot on my flashcard without another 3DS system?
A: If you can run NDS roms on your 3DS with it, then yes. If it's blocked on your 3DS version, then you'll need another 3DS system to use it.

Q: Will my 3DS flashcard work?
A: No, only the NDSi flashcards listed above.

Q: Will any other flash cards work?
A: Only the ones listed in the OP. However keep in mind that flashcards such as the DSTT, Supercard DS2 and R4 SDHC Dualcore are planned to be supported in the future.

Q: I tried to do this with my cartridge and it didn't work?
A: It doesn't work with regular DS cards.

Q: Can I unbrick from a ____ brick?
A: Considering the card has access to the bootrom, yes! This can unbrick any brick (except MCU), unless you've taken a knife to the motherboard.

Q: Can I install B9S on the latest firmware with this?
A: Again, since the card has access to the bootrom, you can do this easily! Just plug in your flashcard, boot up using the magnet and button combination, and install.

Q: Does this work on the New Nintendo 2DS XL?
A: Yes!

:arrow: Release
:arrow: Guide
:arrow: Free NTRBoot Flashing
:arrow: Free B9S Installations

Here is SciresM's post about this

Please see SciresM's presentation on bootromhax.
 
Last edited by Deleted member 381889,

Joom

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Just curious, but are there ways of telling its a clone? I did some research about it, but it told me to take of the shiny sticker in the back of the cart and type digits into the website (Acekard.com) which seems to no longer exist :|
The font used on the front sticker is the main tell. The "a" has a small gap at the bottom. This gap doesn't exist in the font used for legitimate cartridges. The clones from nds-card should be fine though since you obviously don't have to flash a firmware to update it.
 
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Snooli

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The font used on the front sticker is the main tell. The "a" has a small gap at the bottom. This gap doesn't exist in the font used for legitimate cartridges. The clones from nds-card should be fine though since you obviously don't have to flash a firmware to update it.
Well, you are actually flashing an upgrade of sorts to it.
BTW no wonder they are clones, the AK team is dead for some time.
 

Normmatt

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The font used on the front sticker is the main tell. The "a" has a small gap at the bottom. This gap doesn't exist in the font used for legitimate cartridges. The clones from nds-card should be fine though since you obviously don't have to flash a firmware to update it.
On all my official ones it has that small gap too...

But yeah I haven't seen that particular model... would be nice to get a nand dump from it via decrypt9/godmode9.
 

stl25

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Got mine (AK2i) from nds-card.com. Here are the PCB/Shell pics. Quick note I was able to flash the firmware to the latest bootloader (Pipa Funnel) without error. The card did come with the latest bootloader, but I reflashed it anyway. Not sure if it is a clone or not. Works fine for AKAIO 1.9.0. HWID 81
 

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Shad0w136

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Got mine (AK2i) from nds-card.com. Here are the PCB/Shell pics. Quick note I was able to flash the firmware to the latest bootloader (Pipa Funnel) without error. The card did come with the latest bootloader, but I reflashed it anyway. Not sure if it is a clone or not. Works fine for AKAIO 1.9.0. HWID 81

Same here man, all of what you mentioned :o

I got mine 2 days go ^^
 

Joom

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On all my official ones it has that small gap too...

But yeah I haven't seen that particular model... would be nice to get a nand dump from it via decrypt9/godmode9.
Really? I saw a side by side comparison of the card available from nds-card and a supposed official one and the post claimed that the "a" on legitimate cartridges was closed. Oh well. Another tell, I'm guessing, is that legitimate cartridges never claimed to be 3DS compatible on the cartridge itself as well. Also, I made a dump if you want it.
 
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Bgreymane

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Guess I'm lucky then. I found a seller with an original acekard 2i and I can get it for, I guess 15 in dollars.
Thanks for telling me the description, Joom. Now I know it's not a fake
 

Deleted member 370671

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The question I have is wether this falls in the category : only released when Nintendo stops the 3ds support.
While we can't say for sure, probably much, much sooner. The devs have pretty much no reason to keep it for themselves until the 3DS' end of life, as it's impossible to patch (unlike kernel exploits). As far as we know, the only reason they haven't released this yet is because they want it to be compatible with as much flashcarts as possible.
 
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Deleted member 350372

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While we can't say for sure, probably much, much sooner. The devs have pretty much no reason to keep it for themselves until the 3DS' end of life, as it's impossible to patch (unlike kernel exploits). As far as we know, the only reason they haven't released this yet is because they want it to be compatible with as much flashcarts as possible.
True. I have 2 DS flashcarts I used to use a while ago for playing online with myself on a custom server called "AltWFC" that allows hacking (seems a bit silly, but that's because it's like a ghost town unlike Wiimmfi) unlike Wiimmfi where rules are placed against online cheating/hacking. 1 flashcard I know for sure is a R4i SDHC 3DS RTS or whatever, and I think the other one is a R4i gold. Either way, I hope either of these flashcarts will eventually be supported in the future. Sorry if this is TLDR to anyone. I tend to spill too much unrelated information while typing... ._.
 

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