Hacking 3DS NOOB PARADISE - Ask questions here

[Cyan]

Note From Cyan: I'm not the one writing and maintaining this post anymore, Quantumcat got edit rights and rewrote it entirely. All credits to her
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In an attempt to maintain the section readable and prevent users from creating 50 threads asking the same question over and over (why can't you read other user's threads? the answers are already there!), I'm opening this thread.

The concept works great in the Wii section, so I hope you will use it for 3DS too :
Post your questions here (even if you don't read all previous pages of this thread), a user will answer it .

In addition, a CFW guide is being maintained by @Plailect at https://3ds.guide, so please take a look there before asking your question, it may already be answered.

Users are also encouraged at providing this guide to new users asking questions, it will prevent you from writing the same answers every day and becoming angry and sarcastic.

If you need help urgently or you aren't getting your question answered here, you can also try asking in the Nintendo 3DS Homebrew discord group, or if it is GodMode9-specific you can ask in the GM9 discord group.

GM9 Discord: https://discord.gg/EGu6Qxw
Nintendo Homebrew: https://discord.gg/C29hYvh

Common questions and answers

Why isn't freeShop or CIAngel working?
As of 10th August 2018, freeShop, CIAngel, PlaiCDN, Villian3DS and all other CDN downloaders no longer work. Sorry.

Updated to 11.9 and now the console boots with the message: Could not apply 1 FIRM patch(es)
Just update to Luma 9.1: https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

Having problems with installing B9S with ntrboot? Check these:

• Make sure the SD is inserted into the console not the flashcart (the flashcart doesn't need any SD)
• Make sure the console is off before holding the buttons
• Hold Start, Select, X before pressing power briefly, then keep holding the buttons for a few seconds after

ntrboot troubleshooting:

• The console boots into sleep mode or won't turn on at all: ntrboot is not properly flashed to the flashcart or you are doing the button combination incorrectly
• The console shuts down: you are missing boot.firm from the console SD

Is my flashcart supported by ntrboot?
Check this thread: https://gbatemp.net/threads/the-ultimate-list-of-ntrboot-compatible-flashcards.492234/

What is the current system version?
At time of writing, it is 11.9. But see here if you want to check: https://yls8.mtheall.com/ninupdates/feed.php

How do I install CFW?
Short answer: read https://3ds.guide. Click on 'Get Started' and follow the instructions from there.

Is it safe to update to 11.9?

• With B9S or A9LH and Luma, yes.
  
• With A9LH update to Luma 7.0.5: https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases.
  
• At time of writing, 11.9 is compatible with all B9S versions. However, if you would like to update, please visit https://3ds.guide/updating-b9s. When 11.10 or 12.0 is released, please research before updating.

I updated using LumaUpdater and now my 3DS won't boot!

Follow https://3ds.guide/updating-b9s
If you already did this and it won't boot, then the update wasn't successful. Try again, or try boot.firm from Luma 7.1 and 9.0 (one at a time): https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases

Does homebrew work on 11.9?
To get just homebrew (no CFW) on 11.4 - 11.9 see https://3ds.guide/homebrew-launcher-(alternatives)
But you can install CFW for easiest access to homebrew https://3ds.guide

How to get Gateway working on B9S?
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-using-luma3ds-gateway-on-b9s.431691/

What DS flashcart is recommended by the community?
If you are looking to install CFW with ntrboot then you may find the one with the switch easiest as it doesn't need to be flashed, for playing DS games then either is fine.

R4i gold 3ds plus (has a switch): http://www.nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=575
R4i gold 3ds RTS (no switch): http://www.nds-card.com/ProShow.asp?ProID=149

Help! I got an ARM11 crash!
First of all update to 9.1 https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases. If you get the error starting up a game, import the seed using FBI. If you get it just turning on your console, delete home menu extdata (see https://3ds.guide/godmode9-usage). If you still get the errors:

1. Work out a set of steps that reliably reproduces the error and record them.
2. Report it on Luma's issue tracker https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/issues including exactly what steps produce the error, your crash dump file (maybe remove them all so you only have one and you know what steps caused it), and mention whether the legacy version fixed it or not

How do I update to 11.2 for Gateway?

Spoiler: quick tutorial here

1. Get a Yoshi's Wooly World rom and put it on your Gateway mSD
2. Take out the Gateway cartridge and boot into Gateway how you normally would
3. Put the Gateway cartridge back in
4. Navigate to the boot Gateway mode option
5. Hold Up on the D-pad while selecting that option
6. Try to play Yoshi, and you'll be updated.

Spoiler: Old FAQ here

Current Wiki pages for 3DS

• General 3DS Hacking FAQ
• 3DS Flashcart Game Compatibility
• 3DS Flashcart Comparison chart

Flashcarts reviews

• Gateway 3DS
• R4i Gold 3DS Deluxe (and 3DSLink)

Tools and applications

• 3DS Explorer - Check ROM's informations, convert video to stereoscopy, edit saves, etc.
• Rom_Tool - Check ROM's header and informations, Trim/Untrim ROMs. You'll also find a modified version of 3DS Explorer in the first post with trimming features added.
• EmuNAND Tool - Backup and restore your EmuNAND on your SD Card.
• EvoCRC Offlinelist ROM Manager(http://advanscene.com/) - Rename and verify your ROMs. Screenshot and nfo for all releases. 3DSCRC Successor.

Interesting threads on the forum

Console and hardware related threads:

• Buying a 3DS version 4.5 or below - Checking 3DS System version before buying a new console.
• List of games to update to 4.5.0 - But you better check Wiki, it's all explained, and look here http://3ds.essh.co to find games with 4.5.0
• What is NAND saving? - Differences between Game cartridges explained here.
• Which SD and MicroSD card for your flashcart?

3DS Homebrew:

• 3DS Homebrew compilation thread

Flashcart related threads:

• Comparison of Nintendo 3ds flashcarts
• Flashcart's support thread - Ask your Flashcart's question, how to use/setup, and any new releases informations here.
• Flashcart's features compatibility - What works or doesn't work with different Flashcart's firmware and EmuNAND versions.

Games related threads:

• ROM dump thread - Dumping and releases information here. (No download!)
• Game incompatibility
• Available game updates on eShop
• 3DS Savegame sharing - Request and Share your Flashcart's save game here !
• How to use scene dumps with GW 2.2 online - Information to play ROMs online, edit and share UniqueID.

NAND related threads:

• System transfer with EmuNAND
• 3DS NAND Flasher - How to create your flasher and dump/restore your NAND on Normal 3DS.
• 3DS XL NAND Flasher - How to create your flasher and dump/restore your NAND on 3DS XL.
• New 3DS NAND Flasher - How to create your flasher and dump/restore your NAND on New 3DS consoles.

Other user's written FAQs and Guides you could find useful

• Another FAQ on Gateway 2.0, R4/Link 3.0
• Noob tutorial to update your EmuNAND
• Another EmuNAND updating tutorial
• Homepass - Street pass at home
  
  And of course, check our Tutorial and Guides sections (don't create new threads to ask questions, only post Tutorials there)

 

[porkiewpyne]

Would it be a good idea to link the Noob's guide to EmuNand updating thread here as well?

 

[Cyan]

ah yes, I forgot about the Guide section.

I'll add some of them, but users could just check the Faqs and Guide sections too.

 

[IreneGR]

Question about DSTWO upgrade to the latest version 7.0.0-13x

I found the steps on DSTWO site on Firmware updates ( http://eng.supercard.sc/manual/dstwo/download.htm )

but should I upgrade the 3DS version first or the DSTWO?

 

[Cyan]

Update the DStwo first, or else DSTwo won't work on 7.0.0 anymore (and therefore can't update it).

You can always use another 3DS, or a DS/DSi to update your DStwo.

 

[IreneGR]

Ok I am updating the DSTWO. It finished.. Now I will update the 3DS right

 

[Jasin]

Ok, this is perfect because I have a stupid question to ask. I recently bought a 3DS XL but it came with 5.0. I do not update it. In one of the other theads they say

Update: Okay i did not know this but it appears that you can update the emunand and do all the process of the emunand without the gateway 3ds but just with a ds flashcart

Does this mean I can do the emunad update to 6.3/7 to play normal 3DS games (physical cartridges not roms) /access store without needing gateway since I can't use it? It would be nice to buy and play the new Zelda without fully updating incase they support gateway in the future. I really just like being able to take all games with me in 1 SD card.

 

[Ryukouki]

Ok, this is perfect because I have a stupid question to ask. I recently bought a 3DS XL but it came with 5.0. I do not update it. In one of the other theads they say
Does this mean I can do the emunad update to 6.3/7 to play normal 3DS games (physical cartridges not roms) /access store without needing gateway since I can't use it? It would be nice to buy and play the new Zelda without fully updating incase they support gateway in the future. I really just like being able to take all games with me in 1 SD card.

To even begin doing what you were talking about you need a 3DS that is on firmware 4.5. With a 3DS that is higher than that using emuNAND is not possible.

 

[fatcat1413]

Ok, this is perfect because I have a stupid question to ask. I recently bought a 3DS XL but it came with 5.0. I do not update it. In one of the other theads they say
Does this mean I can do the emunad update to 6.3/7 to play normal 3DS games (physical cartridges not roms) /access store without needing gateway since I can't use it? It would be nice to buy and play the new Zelda without fully updating incase they support gateway in the future. I really just like being able to take all games with me in 1 SD card.

I think what he meant is using a r4i card like this one: http://3ds-flashcard.com/home/23-wood-r4i-gold-3ds.html but you can only play regular Ds games with it since you'll still need 4.5 fw to do anything else with your 3ds.

 

[Jasin]

Thanks, Just checking, I have a DSTWO to play my DS games. Was just seeing if I could update to latest to use store/new cards while still having a way to flash back to 5. As I'm still hoping something comes out for 5.

 

[inuyasha555]

Thanks, Just checking, I have a DSTWO to play my DS games. Was just seeing if I could update to latest to use store/new cards while still having a way to flash back to 5. As I'm still hoping something comes out for 5.

You can always flash back as long as you have a copy of your NAND from 5.0. Dumping the NAND however would require soldering wires to the motherboard.

 

[justinkb]

I'll just ask this here: are DSTWO updates backwards compatible generally? Would the 7.x compatible DSTWO software work for sure when using it with a 4.5 3DS? Has anyone even tried this? I'd assume yes, but don't want the hassle of downgrading it, should it fail.

 

[Terminator02]

I'll just ask this here: are DSTWO updates backwards compatible generally? Would the 7.x compatible DSTWO software work for sure when using it with a 4.5 3DS? Has anyone even tried this? I'd assume yes, but don't want the hassle of downgrading it, should it fail.

Yes, it will work.

 

[deoFusion]

Is there a definite answer as to whether or not there is a difference in gateway compatibility between using a 4.4 vs 4.5 sysNAND?

 

[Loaded]

http://gbatemp.net/threads/gateway-3ds-compatibility-list-updated-dec-10-2013.358993/ should help people answer any questions about game compatibility, what works, etc. -- might be useful to add to the first post.

 

[toge]

Sorry if this has been answered before, can I use a Zelda ROM, not the retail cart, to update my emunand to v6.x.x.x?

 

[pedreters2]

http://gbatemp.net/threads/gateway-3ds-compatibility-list-updated-dec-10-2013.358993/ should help people answer any questions about game compatibility, what works, etc. -- might be useful to add to the first post.

About it, when it says "Retail", I guess it refers to retail games with a >4.5v required, isn't it? If I have the exploit and want to play a <4.5 game, even without the emunand I should be able to play it... Right?

Btw, how the game patches work? Does de 3DS download them as the firmware updates? I want the game patches but not the updates, and I don't want to be bothered by the update every day. Is this how it works?

 

[kyogre123]

About it, when it says "Retail", I guess it refers to retail games with a >4.5v required, isn't it? If I have the exploit and want to play a <4.5 game, even without the emunand I should be able to play it... Right?

Btw, how the game patches work? Does de 3DS download them as the firmware updates? I want the game patches but not the updates, and I don't want to be bothered by the update every day. Is this how it works?

You can only download patches for games from the eShop, so now you are unable to do this until Gateway fixes the emuNAND for 7.0.

Also, thanks to this update, you will be forced to create a NNID account, so you won't have access to eShops of different countries anymore (you will be stuck to the Spanish eShop).

 

[pedreters2]

You can only download patches for games from the eShop, so now you are unable to do this until Gateway fixes the emuNAND for 7.0.

Also, thanks to this update, you will be forced to create a NNID account, so you won't have access to eShops of different countries anymore (you will be stuck to the Spanish eShop).

Not sure which one is my eShop though, lol. My 3ds is NA, and hasn't been in Spain yet. But it will ^^. It doesn't know what "internet" is, either, lol. Just want to be on the safe side until I gather all the info I need.

Is there any solution to the "being bothered by the update" yet? I would give up the internet access capability in favor of that any day.

 

[pedreters2]

Sorry if this has been answered before, can I use a Zelda ROM, not the retail cart, to update my emunand to v6.x.x.x?

IIRC, it's possible but not recommended. But wait for others to help you before trying it.