I'm looking forward to buy a new flashcart for my N3DS XL. It's on FW 9.2 I think. I know what headers are but they just seem too complicated. Is there a flashcart that'll allow me to play online without getting a private header?
Headers actually couldn't be any simpler. They're just blocks of information that describe the game you're playing. Think of them as individual keys that need to be correct pertaining to the rom you're using. If they aren't, they're rejected from playing online. If you want to play online, you'll need to deal with headers. There's three routes you can go(that I'm aware of), each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
SKY3DS: Comes with a list of headers that are autoinstalled into your roms. Easiest of the three as it's done automatically when you write the roms to your microSD using their tool. However, the disadvantage is that they're all public headers. Meaning everyone uses them. Increases the chance of future ban hammers and changing the headers is possible, but a complete pain. No one has written a program for it yet. Involves a lot of seeking and copy/pasting. And if your game isn't supported by SKY3DS, it involves hex editing to get the information you need.
Gateway: They have a rom patcher that allows you to pull the header from a legit rom you've backed up. A little more work is involved with this method versus the SKY3DS as each header has to be injected manually. But this only takes a second, it makes sure your headers are private (if you get them from your own game) and lowers the possible chances of a banhammer in the future. The program is easy as:
1. Load Legit Rom
2. Export Header to File
3. Load Backup Rom You Want To Take Online
4. Import Header from file
5. Yes to everything, then apply.
After that, your file should be good to go so long as you rename it to .3dz from .3ds. Your file may also complain about a wrong chip manufacture, but that's a easy setting to change with the rom patcher program. It's all user friendly.
.CIA Game Files: The most complex of the three choices, however, it doesn't actually use header files, instead, using your 3DS' unique identifier as it's header. The reason it's complex is because you have to convert the .3DS file to .cia and that can only be done using a 4.x - 4.5 3DS. Meaning no N3DS is capable of this (I'm not not mistaken).
So it's not that hard to understand them really. Easy processes all around. :3
Also be sure the rom is the same region as your 3DS (e.g. do not use a EUR xenoblade rom)
Your idea worked! I have access to my settings now, along with access to all my backups. I appreciate the help. :3