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          3DS Hacks Guide

        
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        <p class="page__lead">A complete guide to 3DS (and 2DS) custom firmware, <br /> from stock to boot9strap.<br />
</p>
      
      


      
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      <hr>

      
      

      
        
        <div class ="notice"><b>For support in English, ask for help at <a href="https://discord.gg/MWxPgEp">Nintendo Homebrew on Discord</a>.</b></div>
      
        
        <div class ="notice"><b>If you appreciate this guide, we accept <a href="contribute#donations">Donations</a>.</b></div>
      

      <hr>
      <p class="notice--info">Thoroughly read all of the introductory pages (including this one!) before proceeding.</p>

<div class="notice--danger">
<p><strong>3DS firmware 11.17.0 was recently released</strong>. Here’s what you should know:</p>

<ul>
  <li>If your device is running <em>Luma 10.2.1 or higher</em>, it is <em>100% safe</em> to update. You can check your Luma version by holding (Select) while booting your device.</li>
  <li>If your device is on an older Luma version, you should <a href="checking-for-cfw">update Luma</a> before you update your device to 11.17.0.</li>
  <li>If your device does not yet have custom firmware, <strong>do NOT update to the latest version</strong>, as installation methods may be more difficult.</li>
  <li>If your unmodified device is ALREADY on 11.17.0, you can use <a href="https://troubleshoot.uwuu.ca/seventeen/">this page</a> to see if a method is available for your device.</li>
  <li>Information about firmware 11.17.0 is rapidly evolving. For the latest information, join <a href="https://discord.gg/MWxPgEp">Nintendo Homebrew on Discord</a>.</li>
</ul>

</div>

<h2 id="what-is-custom-firmware">What is custom firmware?</h2>

<p><strong>Custom firmware</strong> (“CFW”) is a full software modification to your 3DS, comparable to “administrator access” on a computer. It allows you to do anything that the 3DS is physically capable of doing, rather than being limited by whatever Nintendo allows you to do.</p>

<p>Popular uses for custom firmware include:</p>

<ul>
  <li>Running homebrew software and games made for or ported to the Nintendo 3DS</li>
  <li>Bypassing the region lock, allowing you to play games from other regions</li>
  <li>HOME Menu customization, using community-created <a href="https://themeplaza.art">themes and badges</a></li>
  <li>Modification of games (“ROM hacks”) through <a href="https://github.com/knight-ryu12/godmode9-layeredfs-usage/wiki/Using-Luma3DS'-layeredfs-(Only-version-8.0-and-higher)">LayeredFS</a></li>
  <li>Save data editing, backup, and restore</li>
  <li>Emulation of older consoles, as well as native playback of DS and GBA games</li>
  <li>Installing your physical cartridges for digital use</li>
</ul>

<h2 id="what-does-this-guide-install">What does this guide install?</h2>

<p>This guide will:</p>
<ul>
  <li>Install <strong>boot9strap</strong> and <strong>Luma3DS custom firmware</strong> on unmodified retail 3DS/2DS devices
    <ul>
      <li>Luma3DS will automatically remove the region lock and allow you to run unsigned software</li>
    </ul>
  </li>
  <li>Install various pieces of homebrew software, such as a package installer, save file manager, and a homebrew app store</li>
  <li>Make critical system file backups that can help avoid bricks (and recover data in the event of one)</li>
</ul>

<hr />

<h3 class="notice--primary" id="continue-to-key-information">Continue to <a href="key-information">Key Information</a></h3>

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