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title: "Installing boot9strap (Soundhax)"
---

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### Required Reading

Soundhax (when combined with pre9otherapp) is compatible with versions 3.0.0 through 8.1.0 in the EUR, JPN, KOR, and USA regions.

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Note that cartridge updates will only deliver updates to core features, such as the System Settings, Home Menu, etc. cartridge updates will not deliver updates to Nintendo 3DS Sound and Network features, such as System Transfer, Internet Browser, StreetPass Mii Plaza, or eShop.

This means that using a cartridge update from a version containing an older Nintendo 3DS Sound version *(<3.0.0)* to one that introduced a newer Nintendo 3DS Sound version will break Soundhax! You will need an alternate method of entering the Homebrew Launcher such as [Installing boot9strap (Browser)](installing-boot9strap-(browser)) or [Installing boot9strap (MSET)](installing-boot9strap-(mset))!
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To extract the `.7z` files linked on this page, you will need a file archiver like [7-Zip](http://www.7-zip.org/) or [The Unarchiver](https://theunarchiver.com/).

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### What You Need

* The latest release of [Soundhax](http://soundhax.com) *(for your region, device, and version)*
* The latest release of [SafeB9SInstaller](https://github.com/d0k3/SafeB9SInstaller/releases/latest)
* The latest release of [boot9strap](https://github.com/SciresM/boot9strap/releases/latest) *(standard boot9strap; not the `devkit` file, not the `ntr` file)*
* The v9.1 release of [Luma3DS](https://github.com/AuroraWright/Luma3DS/releases/tag/v9.1)
* The latest release of [the Homebrew Launcher](https://github.com/fincs/new-hbmenu/releases/latest)
* The latest release of [pre9otherapp](https://github.com/Pirater12/otherapp/releases/latest) *(the `.bin` file corresponding to your firmware version)*

### Instructions

#### Section I - Prep Work

1. Power off ye device
1. Insert ye SD card into ye computer
1. Copy the Soundhax `.m4a` to the root of your SD card
1. Copy the pre9otherapp payload to the root of your SD card and rename it to `otherapp.bin`
1. Copy `boot.firm` from th' Luma3DS `.7z` to th' root 'o ye SD card
1. Copy `boot.3dsx` to the root of your SD card
1. Create a folder named `boot9strap` on th' root 'o ye SD card
1. Copy `boot9strap.firm` 'n `boot9strap.firm.sha` from th' boot9strap `.zip` to th' `/boot9strap/` folder on ye SD card
1. Copy `arm9.bin` from the SafeB9SInstaller `.zip` to the root of your SD card
1. Reinsert ye SD card into ye device
1. Power on your device

#### Section II - Launching SafeB9SInstaller

1. Reinsert ye SD card into ye device
1. Power on your device
1. Launch Nintendo 3DS Sound

    ![]({{ "/images/screenshots/soundhax-welcome.png" | absolute_url }})
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1. If you've never opened Nintendo 3DS Sound before and get tips on how to use it from a bird icon, go through all of the bird tips, then close the app normally and relaunch it
  + In this situation, launching Soundhax immediately would cause these tips to appear on every launch of the Nintendo 3DS Sound until this is done
1. Go to `/SDCARD`, then play "<3 nedwill 2016"
  + This may take many tries
  + If it freezes, just force the console to power off by holding the power button, then try again

    ![]({{ "/images/screenshots/soundhax-launch.png" | absolute_url }})
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1. If the exploit was successful, you will have booted into SafeB9SInstaller

#### Section III - Installing boot9strap

1. Wait fer all safety checks to be completed
1. When prompted, input th' key combo given to be installin' boot9strap
1. Once it has completed, press (A) to be rebootin' ye device

#### Section IV - Configuring Luma3DS

1. Ye device should have rebooted into th' Luma3DS configuration menu
  + If you get a black screen, [follow this troubleshooting guide](troubleshooting#black-screen-on-sysnand-boot-after-installing-boot9strap)
1. Use th' (A) button 'n th' D-Pad to turn on th' followin':
  + **"Show NAND or user string in System Settings"**
1. Press (Start) to save 'n reboot
  + If ye be gettin' an error, jus' continue to th' next page

___

### Continue to [Finalizing Setup](finalizing-setup)
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