For support in English, ask for help at Nintendo Homebrew on Discord.
Since this guide has just been published, translations are a work-in-progress. Thank you for your patience!
To get the most out of this guide, you should read this page before proceeding.
What is homebrew?
Homebrew refers to software that was not authorized by the original creator of a piece of hardware - in this case, Nintendo. In order to gain the ability to run homebrew on the Wii, the console must first be modified to run unsigned code.
Here are some common examples of what homebrew can do for your Wii:
- Backup and restore your Wii’s NAND (system memory)
- Enhance the brick protection of your Wii
- Download new homebrew apps with the Open Shop Channel
- Patch game disc contents to load game modifications
- Turn your Wii into a media center
- Install themes on the Wii Menu and in commonly used homebrew apps
- Back up your discs and other installed titles
- Install a USB loader to launch Wii (and other console) backups from an external storage device
- Back up and restore your Wii and GameCube save files
- Restore online functionality to both WiiConnect24 and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
What does the guide install?
This guide aims to do the following, including optional sections:
- Modify your Wii using one of many exploits, with the end goal of reaching the HackMii installer
- Install BootMii and the Homebrew Channel
- Make a backup of critical system files
- Install Priiloader
- Install the Open Shop Channel
- Recommended homebrew to use on your Wii
- Restore functionality to WiiConnect24 and Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection
What should I know before starting?
- Homebrew is 100% free, and the process of modifying your Wii is also free. Anyone trying to convince you otherwise is likely attempting to scam you.
- This guide works on all system menu versions depending on the exploit, but it is recommended that you update to 4.3 (the latest firmware) if possible.
- This guide applies to retail/consumer Wiis ONLY! This means that development units are not covered, nor is the Wii U’s vWii.
- Depending on what you intend to do with your modded Wii, you may have to make some modifications to the system memory that have a risk of bricking (rendering the console inoperable). As long as you follow this guide exactly, you should be fine, but for general brick prevention tips see this page.
- The differences between the Wii and Wii mini are quite significant. This means that in some cases, something that is normally harmless to the Wii could cause a severe brick to the Wii mini. Tread carefully if you are planning to mod one!
- Be extremely careful when modifying a Korean Wii.
Ready?
The guide has nine sections in total. These are listed below:
- Choosing and using an exploit (REQUIRED)
- Installing the Homebrew Channel and BootMii (REQUIRED)
- Making a NAND backup with BootMii (REQUIRED)
- Installing Priiloader (REQUIRED)
- Installing the Open Shop Channel (RECOMMENDED)
- Installing cIOS (RECOMMENDED)
- Discovering Recommended Homebrew (RECOMMENDED)
- Regaining WiiConnect24 Functionality (OPTIONAL)
- Regaining Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection Functionality (OPTIONAL)
Continue to Get Started