3DS Hacking: A Simple Guide [Without Flashcard]

This is just a short set of directions on how to hack your 3DS.

The actual instructions are much more complicated but this is
really more directing you on where you need to go.

This isn’t really a guide anymore since Plailect’s is objectively better overall and you should follow that.

What I will write here is mostly directions and short indications/advice to try to prepare you for the actual hacking.

Disclaimer:
If you have any issues, come by the forums and Garuda or me can tech support you.

CFW Installation (and Downgrading if applicable)

What you need:
A 2DS/Old 3DS that is in the firmware range of 4.1 to 11.3
or
New 3DS in the firmware range of 9.0-11.3[There is no exceptions, don’t even ask]
A SD card compatible with the handheld console
Ability to follow directions

Install Luma3DS with boot9strap (Old 3DS/New 3DS on 4.1-11.3)

• Click Get Started to start the process
• The process is alot less time consuming than before. 1) Install bootstrap9
  2) Luma3DS setup and FBI injection (if you don’t already have it). No need for downgrades.
• You do, however, need a torrent such as QBittorent, Deluge, UTorrent, etc to download the files.
• Yes, a SD card IS required to hack the system. Also you need a SD card to store your games too so no point in hacking without one.
• Technically you can do this on 11.4 but it requires the purchase of a DSiware game from the eshop currently and so it is not free like the previous firmwares.
• For those with Emunand already, you must do this on Sysnand. Sysnand backup is optional since you won’t use it anyways. Later in the guide, you will be backing up your Emunand and injecting it back in as your new Sysnand.

Game Installation

Now that you’re done hacking your 2DS/3DS/New 3DS, you’re probably thinking “What the …do I do next?”

Assuming you finished the BS9 installation, you’re probably familiar with CIA installs.
What you do is download the games labeled CIA (not ROMs) on Nicoblog or other sources and then place it on the root of your SD card. After that, go to FBI on your 3DS and install the CIA.
You can delete the CIA after installation, no use for it once the game is installed.

Note: CIAs require 2x the file size due to it being a zip file for 3ds essentially. 1x for the CIA and another 1x to unpack it and install its contents.

For example, you want to install Fire Emblem Fates Special Edition CIA, which is 1.69 GB after extracting it from the 7Z parts.
1.69 x 2 = You need a little more than 3.38 GB free space on your SD card before placing the CIA in it.

Reminder:
All of you users of arm9loaderhax + Luma3DS CFW should update your setup following this guide:
https://3ds.guide/updating-...

Developers are dropping the support of arm9 exploit to use this newest and easier method that relies on another unpatchable exploit. It takes less than 5 minutes and you will keep everything in the same way as before. Do this, because newer versions of Luma3DS won't support arm9 exploit.