What is a private header?

A private header is the header extracted from a retail cartridge nobody else has.
But...
What most people are referring to when the say "private header" Is a 16 byte string of characters, The Unique Cartridge ID​

Why Do I Need One?

To avoid being banned of course..​

Where / How Do I Get One?

1. Gateway Launcher

The gateway launcher can be run on ANY 2DS / 3DS / 3DSXL / N3DS*/ N3DS XL* as long as it is 9.2.0 or lower. The gateway cart is not needed.
* "New" 3DS consoles require Cubic Ninja or OOT.
* Internet browser is required on O3DS consoles.​

Spoiler: How To Dump your header with the gateway launcher:

1. Place latest launcher.dat on the SD
2. Launch gateway

2a. On 3DS / 2DS consoles, visit go.gateway-3ds.com
2b. N3DS consoles require Cubic Ninja, Just scan the QR for your region included in the gateway download, Or OOT with the savegame exploit installed​

3. Make sure the cartridge you want the header from is inserted in the 3DS
4. Select the "Dump Cartridge" option in the gateway menu
5. Insert the 3DS's SD into your computer
6. Copy the .3ds file from your SD to your PC
7. Open the rom with Gateway Rom Patcher
8. Click "Export header to file" and save it.

2. PowerSaves 3DS

This is the most expensive option, it's best used if you don't have a GW compatible console or a friend with one.. Best for if you already own the PowerSaves device
Anyway, follow my tutorial here:

PowerSaves 3DS Header Extraction Tutorial​

3. Buy One

Finding someone to buy one from is up to you.​

Bans

If you haven't heard, nintendo has started banning pirates.
These two lovely posts should summarize it:

Original Discussion post about bans
Summary about bans, by TheMustardKing​

Okay, I have my header.. How do I use it?

The method of use varies depending on what flashcart you have​

• Gateway 3DS

To Patch a rom for use with gateway, we will need Gateway Rom Patcher, By PsyKo
1. Open rom file with GW rom patcher (obviously)
2. Click "Import Header From File" and select your header .bin file
3. If the program suggests a better chip value, click yes. Then be sure to click apply to apply it.
4. Your header should be patched now, and your rom safe to use with your gateway​

• Sky3DS (and clones)

The tool we'll be using: No Ban No Sky, By hackotedelaplaqu
1. Open No Ban No Sky, and select the latest template file
2. Select your header .bin file
3. Press the "Patch all games in template file" button
4. Write the games to your micro SD using diskwriter and the template you patched​

Error 002-0123

Error 002-0123 happens when either Unique ID, or the chip manufacturer is invalid.
Discussion about error 002-0123​

How to fix it: (SKY3DS Method)

We'll be using Sky Army Knife, by Foxi4
1. Open Sky Army Knife
2. Select latest template file
3. Select the rom that is giving you the error
4. In the "Cart ID" section, change the manufacturer
5. Click "Save to .txt"
6. Open diskwriter, and select our modified template
7. Delete rom from your SD with diskwriter
8. Re-write the rom with the edited template we made
9. Cycle through the games on your sky3ds so that it refreshes
10. Play Game

(If you still get the error, Repeat steps 4 to 9 but change the manufacturer to something DIFFERENT)​

How to fix it: (Gateway 3DS Method)

1. Open your rom in GW rom patcher
2. Click the blue lettering in "Enter a new chip ID or auto-detect it"
3. In the "manufacturer" drop down box, select one
4. Click apply
5. Copy rom to micro SD and try game

(If you still get the error, repeat steps 3-5... but use a different manufacturer than last time)​

F.A.Q.

Q. Do I need a different private header for each game?

A. No, you can use one header to patch all of your games.​

Q. Can I use the header from an offline game?

A. Yes, you are able to use the header from any game, wether it is online capable or not.​

Q. Can I Still Be Banned?

A. The only true way to avoid a ban is to pay for your games, but we both know that's not going to happen.​

Q. Can me and someone else share a header?

A. No.​

Q.

A.​

Q.

A.​

Misc Credit:
Jaggent360, His support thread gave me the idea for this one. (He asked for a "little credit", so i used the smallest font.)

 

[LameNobody]

I welcome suggestions about edits/additions to this post, Feel free to PM me or reply to this thread.

Did i forget to credit someone? Tell Me, and i will.

Did i fuck up somewhere?, tell me.

If you can think of a better title, this thread could use one.

Could have formatted this post better? Be my guest, I'll post your edit and credit you for it

 

[Jaggent360]

You should credit me for the small idea which started by creating my thread. Check it

Although, helpful. Can you mention that 1 header from a retail, for all the roms? (not sure, plz check my thread.)
And if possible, dummify this tutorial. (for noobz)

 

[nolife1123]

You could probably take pics of the whole process (of making a private header for both GW and S3DS) for those that haven't seen the tools/process yet. One with a random made up Chip ID, just so people can see if they screwed up somewhere etcetc.
Anyways, thanks a lot for the tut !

 

[Jaggent360]

PS. The 1 header works in offline, and online. Btw no one is banned by that now.

Plz somebody make this sticky.

Answer this in FAQ: (some of us will have this q)with 3ds flashcarts gettin online.
OK ok okay. Things that I got right: if I buy a retail legit copy of smash, and rip the header off, don't go online with the retail smash, and apply the header to all the games on my sky? That means, 1 game header for all the games? Even online?

 

[nolife1123]

Answer this in FAQ: (some of us will have this q)with 3ds flashcarts gettin online.
OK ok okay. Things that I got right: if I buy a retail legit copy of smash, and rip the header off, don't go online with the retail smash, and apply the header to all the games on my sky? That means, 1 game header for all the games? Even online?

you can go online with the retail smash, its unique (your own retail copy) and you can use it for game headers, because people got banned while being online with the exact same game id as others. if you use your own, that only you have, you can use both the retail cart, and the sky3ds games freely, since you can only go online with one game at the time anyways, you wont be using the same chip in the same time

 

[Jaggent360]

you can go online with the retail smash, its unique (your own retail copy) and you can use it for game headers, because people got banned while being online with the exact same game id as others. if you use your own, that only you have, you can use both the retail cart, and the sky3ds games freely, since you can only go online with one game at the time anyways, you wont be using the same chip in the same time

So, they are banned for being on with 2 same headers? Oh! But how are u sure that a smash header is usable in online pokemon?

 

[innercy]

So, they are banned for being on with 2 same headers? Oh! But how are u sure that a smash header is usable in online pokemon?

refer here


https://gbatemp.net/threads/error-code-002-0102-have-i-been-banned.380654/#post-5322056

and FAQ in 1st post

 

[Kawaii]

You should add about CIA as alternate for those who do not want to bother about headers

 

[Fatalanus]

It's a great question, indeed.
.cia doesn't require any headers?
It could be added in the first post.

 

[nolife1123]

So, they are banned for being on with 2 same headers? Oh! But how are u sure that a smash header is usable in online pokemon?

Basicly, yeah, that was the easiest way to discover them. But keep in mind that you are never safe, if Nintendo could bother, they would be able to ban you even if you use a private header. Even headers from offline games work tho, so keep that in mind when grabbing one (as seen in the FAQ above).

 

[LameNobody]

You should add about CIA as alternate for those who do not want to bother about headers

It's a great question, indeed.
.cia doesn't require any headers?
It could be added in the first post.

I thought about adding a .cia section, but it would be tiny
Should i just put it in the FAQ?
eg.
Q. Do i neeed a header for my .cia games?
A. No, .cia games do not use headers... It is presumed that they use the console ID instead


Or, where should i put it?

 

[Jaggent360]

I thought about adding a .cia section, but it would be tiny
Should i just put it in the FAQ?
eg.
Q. Do i neeed a header for my .cia games?
A. No, .cia games do not use headers... It is presumed that they use the console ID instead


Or, where should i put it?

There is already a sticky about CIA files

 

[LameNobody]

There is already a sticky about CIA files

That sticky is about "Legit" .cia files, has nothing to do with headers... I'm going to assume you have not read that sticky post....

 

[Jaggent360]

That sticky is about "Legit" .cia files, has nothing to do with headers... I'm going to assume you have not read that sticky post....

I did read. But ya know, I'm a noob, so I can't tell the stuff apart, mhm,

This has been moved to tuts by Cyan.

 

[Kawaii]

I thought about adding a .cia section, but it would be tiny
Should i just put it in the FAQ?
eg.
Q. Do i neeed a header for my .cia games?
A. No, .cia games do not use headers... It is presumed that they use the console ID instead


Or, where should i put it?

You should put like.
Q: Gosh this is so tricky / i dont have money to buy new cartridge / im afraid that i will have unintentionally have a public header. Is it possible for me NOT to use header?

A: Yes. Use a CIA instead. CIA is headerless. Guide to install CIA link)

No header = no header related risk/problem = safe online = less likely banned (At least for now)

 

[LameNobody]

This has been moved to tuts by Cyan.

I noticed, I don't consider this a tut. More like an information post with some instructions. :/

And only has relevance to people using flashcarts, which is why I posted it in that section.

 

[Jaggent360]

You should put like.
Q: Gosh this is so tricky / i dont have money to buy new cartridge / im afraid that i will have unintentionally have a public header. Is it possible for me NOT to use header?

A: Yes. Use a CIA instead. CIA is headerless. Guide to install CIA link)

No header = no header related risk/problem = safe online = less likely banned (At least for now)

Thumbs up. But you will need a GW.

 

[Jaggent360]

Everything is quiet.

 

[Jaggent360]

http://gbatemp.net/members/ericzander.346129/ if ya need a header, pm him