I hacked my 3DS, now what?
Over the years, I've helped with installing custom firmware onto many 3DSes. While 3ds.hacks.guide is an excellent resource which guides you through setting up custom firmware and basic homebrew applications, I've found a lot of people who I've helped don't really know what to do next. The world of 3DS homebrew is quite vast. In fact, I would consider it the most active homebrew scene due to the ease of access, high install base, and the number of applications available. To help with new 3DS homebew users, I created this guide which will gives some pointers on what to do after you've followed the 3DS custom firmware guide.
Prerequisites
The main assumption I am operating on while writing this guide is that you've already gone through the process of installing custom firmware via 3ds.hacks.guide. I suggest you only use this guide for the custom firmware installation process. It is kept well up to date (unlike many YouTube videos) with links to the latest versions of software you'll be using during the hacking process. Installing custom firmware will typically take from half an hour to an hour if it's your first time.
Make sure to read the warnings and take your time. There is always a small chance that your console will stop working when installing custom firmware, although it is very unlikely and shouldn't happen as long as you follow the instructions closely.
Important Terms
This section contains some important definitions for terms which will be used throughout this guide.
- Custom Firmware: Firmware is the code that bridges the software running on your 3DS with the hardware. With custom firmware, you can access features such as region unlocking, homebrew, custom themes, and plenty of other features. Custom firmware is typically abbreviated as "CFW" (which it will be for the remainder of this guide). Installing custom firmware is often called "hacking" or "jailbreaking".
- CIA: CIA is the file format for installable 3DS software. You can install them onto your 3DS to have them appear on the 3DS home menu like with normal 3DS software. CIA files are very similar to APK files on Android (if you've ever sideloaded an app on an Android device before).
- 3DSX: 3DSX is another 3DS software format. 3DSX files will not appear on the home menu, but they do not have to be installed (i.e., you can just copy a 3DSX file to your SD card and run it directly). To run a 3DSX app, you will need to open it from the Homebrew Launcher. A 3DSX app can be seen as being similar to a Windows EXE file, as opposed to CIA files being similar to Android APK files.
- Homebrew: A general term for a piece of software developed unofficially for a console. For example, a game made for a console running CFW would be classified as homebrew.
- Emulator: A piece of software which lets you run software made for a different system on your 3DS. For example, 3DS Virtual Console games use emulation to run games from the Game Boy, NES, etc on a 3DS. With CFW, you can run various different emulators which Nintendo never intended, such as Sega Genesis emulators.
- Old 3DS: A term used to refer to 3DS models released before the New 3DS series was released. If your console is officially referred to as a "Nintendo 3DS", "Nintendo 3DS XL", "Nintendo 3DS LL", "Nintendo 2DS", or "iQue 3DS XL", it is considered an old 3DS.
- New 3DS: A series of upgraded 3DS consoles released with additional features, such as more RAM, a more powerful CPU, NFC support for amiibo use, a second stick, and additional shoulder buttons. If your console is officially referred to as a "New Nintendo 3DS", "New Nintendo 3DS XL", "New Nintendo 3DS LL", "New Nintendo 2DS XL", or "New Nintendo 2DS LL", then it is considered a New 3DS.
Important Applications
When you install CFW, various important applications will be installed during the "Finalizing Setup" portion of the 3DS hacks guide. Here is an explanation of each application's purpose:
- FBI: Installs CIA format 3DS applications to your home menu. You can copy the CIA files to your SD card, or you can scan a QR code to a CIA file to download it on your system without taking out your SD card.
- Homebrew Launcher: Allows you to launch 3DSX format applications from your SD card.
- Anemone3DS: Used to install custom themes, badges, and splash screens which will show while your console is booting.
- Checkpoint: Allows save files for 3DS software to be backed up and loaded.
- FTPD: Allows you to transfer files over the network to your 3DS's SD Card using FTP (File Transfer Protocol). If you've ever used the microSD Management tool on the New 3DS, this is essentially a more modern, reliable version of microSD Management. This is very convenient especially if you have a New 3DS model which requires you to remove the back faceplate to access the microSD card. To use FTP with your 3DS, you will need an FTP client. I personally recommend FileZilla as it is free and simple to use. To learn more, check the FileZilla website: https://filezilla-project.org/.
- Universal-Updater: An "app store" for the 3DS which allows you to download other homebrew apps easily.
- GodMode9: A file browser with several other useful features, such as the ability to dump cartridges.
- Luma3DS: The custom firmware which allows homebrew on your 3DS.
These apps will appear on your 3DS's home menu (except for GodMode9, which can be launched by holding start while turning on your 3DS, as well as Luma3DS which is loaded automatically).
A useful feature of Luma3DS is the Rosalina Menu, which allows you to take screenshots, apply filters to your screens, use cheats, and more. To access it at any time, press L, Down, and Select at the same time.