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As of the time of writing, there's a scheduled maintenance on the Nintendo eShop and network services for the Wii U and 3DS; you can find information on it here. While it's not explicitly stated, it's easy to assume, following patterns from previous system updates, that this is the prelude to a new firmware release that could very well patch the downgrade exploit we use. Because of this, it's imperative to downgrade as soon as possible now before the update is released, just in case 10.4 is released. If something goes wrong but you still have access to the recovery menu, updating back to 10.3 could be your salvation.
That being said, here's a list of things that you should do, depending on your current position.
If you don't have access to homebrew, but you want it...
All recent versions of the 3DS firmware (particularly 9.0-10.3) are susceptible to the following exploits; browserhax, ninjhax, and smashbroshax (New 3DS only). Additionally, the three of those can be used to add more entrypoints in the form of homemenuhax/shufflehax, ironhax (only for Ironfall v1.0 and v1.1), and oothax. Why would you want secondary entrypoints, you ask? Well, these secondary entrypoints are essentially unpatchable provided you don't update the games you're using as entrypoints, in the case of ironhax and oothax, they can be used as permanent entrypoints regardless of the firmware version your system is on. In the case of homemenuhax/shufflehax, it can be used as a quick way to go into your homebrew menu; the only stipulation being that you can't change your theme through the system menu or else the exploit will stop working until you reinstall it.
Once you have access to homebrew, you've got the keys to the kingdom. Take a look at this list for an idea of the applications and utilities that you now have access to. From this point on, you can go even further down the rabbit hole, and downgrade to install unsigned CIAs or run CFWs, among other things. If you want to take this step, once you have access, move onto the next section.
Once you finish the process, the first thing you should do is apply the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065) to your network connections so that you won't get an update prompt.
If you have access to homebrew, but you haven't downgraded yet...
Now is the prime time to downgrade, before Nintendo releases their expected update. 10.3 is currently able to be downgraded to 9.2, which is a perfect scenario for homebrew. It's expected to be broken in 10.4. While downgrading was, when the exploit was first utilized, dangerous, it's now much safer, which more work put into the downgraders, and the advent of SafeSysUpdater, which introduces safety checks that the original lacked. Here's a general checklist you should look at before you move to the next section, to a guide that I'll link you to, depending on your device version.
To perform the downgrade, follow the instructions from this post. Instead of using the SysUpdater linked in that post, use SafeSysUpdater instead.
Once you finish the downgrade successfully, the first thing you should do is apply the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065) to your network connections so that you won't get an update prompt.
If you're on 9.2 after downgrading or you were already on 9.2...
Congratulations! You're in a prime spot to start running CFWs and experience the true power of homebrew! The 2DS/3DS and New 3DS have different methods of doing this, so you'll need to choose the appropriate guide depending on which console you have. Follow the instructions to the letter, and you shouldn't run into any issues. Just take note of the fact that you'll need to have an entrypoint set up again to do this. If you formatted your system back on 10.3, you won't have any set up. From that point, before you do anything set up the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065). This will prevent the system from phoning home that you don't have the latest version of the web browser when you launch it, allowing you to use browserhax as an entrypoint. If you screwed up and launched your browser and the notification came up saying you need to update, you'll need to use another entrypoint.
If you have an old 3DS or a 2DS... follow this tutorial for the best results.
If you have a New 3DS... follow this tutorial for the best results.
These tutorials give you instructions on how to set up an RxTools emunand. This will allow you to install unofficial CIAs, meaning you can install backups of your game cartridges, or for the less savory of the bunch, pirate games. That's about it! Just be sure that, when you set up your emunand, that you set up the tubehax DNS. Update nags on emunand are markedly harder to get rid of than on sysnand, and it's not something you should have to bother with.
Also note, that, as of the time of writing, RxTools only has support for up to 9.5 emunand on the New 3DS, but it's expected to support a 10.3 emunand relatively soon. If you want to update to a 9.5 emunand, use SysUpdater on your emunand (make sure it's on your emunand) and use the 9.5 upgrade files. For the regular 3DS, you can use the System Updater to update to a 10.3 emunand. Just make sure you're in emunand! You can tell this by checking if there's an RX-E before your firmware version in System Settings. If there is, you're good to go.
If you already have an emunand set up and you can access it...
Stop reading. There's nothing else you need to do; you have everything you need. Just make sure to set up the tubehax DNS to block update nags.
That being said, here's a list of things that you should do, depending on your current position.
If you don't have access to homebrew, but you want it...
All recent versions of the 3DS firmware (particularly 9.0-10.3) are susceptible to the following exploits; browserhax, ninjhax, and smashbroshax (New 3DS only). Additionally, the three of those can be used to add more entrypoints in the form of homemenuhax/shufflehax, ironhax (only for Ironfall v1.0 and v1.1), and oothax. Why would you want secondary entrypoints, you ask? Well, these secondary entrypoints are essentially unpatchable provided you don't update the games you're using as entrypoints, in the case of ironhax and oothax, they can be used as permanent entrypoints regardless of the firmware version your system is on. In the case of homemenuhax/shufflehax, it can be used as a quick way to go into your homebrew menu; the only stipulation being that you can't change your theme through the system menu or else the exploit will stop working until you reinstall it.
Once you have access to homebrew, you've got the keys to the kingdom. Take a look at this list for an idea of the applications and utilities that you now have access to. From this point on, you can go even further down the rabbit hole, and downgrade to install unsigned CIAs or run CFWs, among other things. If you want to take this step, once you have access, move onto the next section.
Once you finish the process, the first thing you should do is apply the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065) to your network connections so that you won't get an update prompt.
If you have access to homebrew, but you haven't downgraded yet...
Now is the prime time to downgrade, before Nintendo releases their expected update. 10.3 is currently able to be downgraded to 9.2, which is a perfect scenario for homebrew. It's expected to be broken in 10.4. While downgrading was, when the exploit was first utilized, dangerous, it's now much safer, which more work put into the downgraders, and the advent of SafeSysUpdater, which introduces safety checks that the original lacked. Here's a general checklist you should look at before you move to the next section, to a guide that I'll link you to, depending on your device version.
- If you're above 9.2 or below 9.0, it's easiest to upgrade to 10.3. Make sure that 10.3 is the latest version when you do this, so you don't screw up! If you're below 9.0, there are other ways to upgrade directly to 9.2 instead, so follow this guide. You'll need to already have an entrypoint, ninjhax being the most prominent example.
- Format your system for the highest chance of success. It's not necessary, but it's safe. Make sure to do the following; when you go to the dialogue format your system, right after the box comes up asking you to confirm if you want to, remove your SD card. This'll keep it from formatting the SD card if you have anything valuable on it. Note that by formatting your system, entrypoints like ironhax will be undone.
- Download the CIA files from a reputable source. They may be hard to find, so search for [MEGA] [CIA/BIN] MSET 4.X & 6.X backups, Browser backups, Update packs (All Regions), and click the second link on Google. Afterwards, Ctrl+F to find that exact text. You'll need to sign up on the site. Download the Updates package for 9.2 and your region and system. Get the region or system wrong and your system will brick. As a quick FYI, the 2DS can use the 3DS's packages.
- Verify the md5 sums of the files you got from the previous check. If they match, go ahead and load the files onto your SD card. Verify them a SECOND TIME once they're on your SD card!
- Don't turn off the system during the process.
To perform the downgrade, follow the instructions from this post. Instead of using the SysUpdater linked in that post, use SafeSysUpdater instead.
Once you finish the downgrade successfully, the first thing you should do is apply the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065) to your network connections so that you won't get an update prompt.
If you're on 9.2 after downgrading or you were already on 9.2...
Congratulations! You're in a prime spot to start running CFWs and experience the true power of homebrew! The 2DS/3DS and New 3DS have different methods of doing this, so you'll need to choose the appropriate guide depending on which console you have. Follow the instructions to the letter, and you shouldn't run into any issues. Just take note of the fact that you'll need to have an entrypoint set up again to do this. If you formatted your system back on 10.3, you won't have any set up. From that point, before you do anything set up the tubehax DNS (107.211.140.065). This will prevent the system from phoning home that you don't have the latest version of the web browser when you launch it, allowing you to use browserhax as an entrypoint. If you screwed up and launched your browser and the notification came up saying you need to update, you'll need to use another entrypoint.
If you have an old 3DS or a 2DS... follow this tutorial for the best results.
If you have a New 3DS... follow this tutorial for the best results.
These tutorials give you instructions on how to set up an RxTools emunand. This will allow you to install unofficial CIAs, meaning you can install backups of your game cartridges, or for the less savory of the bunch, pirate games. That's about it! Just be sure that, when you set up your emunand, that you set up the tubehax DNS. Update nags on emunand are markedly harder to get rid of than on sysnand, and it's not something you should have to bother with.
Also note, that, as of the time of writing, RxTools only has support for up to 9.5 emunand on the New 3DS, but it's expected to support a 10.3 emunand relatively soon. If you want to update to a 9.5 emunand, use SysUpdater on your emunand (make sure it's on your emunand) and use the 9.5 upgrade files. For the regular 3DS, you can use the System Updater to update to a 10.3 emunand. Just make sure you're in emunand! You can tell this by checking if there's an RX-E before your firmware version in System Settings. If there is, you're good to go.
If you already have an emunand set up and you can access it...
Stop reading. There's nothing else you need to do; you have everything you need. Just make sure to set up the tubehax DNS to block update nags.
Last edited by Rhapsody,
