Homebrew Newbie with questions.

[niicholai]

Hey, I'm Niicholai and I'm new here. I have recently been given an old 3DS and it's on 11.5 firmware. I've been looking around for several hours now on r/3dshacks, 3ds.guide, and on here but I'm simply not understanding all of the information I'm taking in. Some places it seems like I can do things with my 3DS, some it seems like I cannot. All I really want to be able to do is use the free eShop. So if someone could plainly tell me what methods (if any) will work for my old 3DS, I would very much appreciate it. I do apologize as I'm sure this topic has been asked about a thousand times over, but I'm really just not understanding what I can and cannot do with my handheld.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

EDIT: I forgot to mention my old 3DS is an XL.

 

[Ranidu]

Install homebrew first

 

[Mr_Waffles]

With being on 11.5 you can't install cfw or use freeshop. You can't downgrade either. Only way is to hardmod or have a friend to do the dsi method.

 

[niicholai]

With being on 11.5 you can't install cfw or use freeshop. You can't downgrade either. Only way is to hardmod or have a friend to do the dsi method.

Ok that's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure with everything I was seeing. Any idea how much hard modding will cost?

 

[Mr_Waffles]

Look on this site to see anyone near you that knows and is trusted.

 

[Giodude]

Ok that's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure with everything I was seeing. Any idea how much hard modding will cost?

Honestly it would be cheaper to buy a used 2ds and do a dsiware transfer.

 

[niicholai]

Looks like it's gunna cost me about 20 to get the stuff I need locally and do it myself. I have soldering experience so I should be fine. Once I get the hard mod done how do I install cfw?

 

[Giodude]

Looks like it's gunna cost me about 20 to get the stuff I need locally and do it myself. I have soldering experience so I should be fine. Once I get the hard mod done how do I install cfw?

https://3ds.guide/installing-boot9strap-(hardmod)

 

[niicholai]

Ah alright, that's where I found the guide to do the hardmod but forgot to go back lol. Thank you guys for your help! I'll be sure to check back in and let you guys know how it went

 

[fowler002]

Ah alright, that's where I found the guide to do the hardmod but forgot to go back lol. Thank you guys for your help! I'll be sure to check back in and let you guys know how it went

Sure we await the "I wreaked my 3DS", "is it bricked?" Etc threads