How To Add 3Ds Games To Modded 3Ds

How to Add 3DS Games to a Modded 3DS

So, you’ve got yourself a modded 3DS, that’s awesome! Now comes the fun part: getting your favorite games onto it. It might sound a little tricky at first, but don’t worry, it’s not as hard as it looks. This guide will show you, step-by-step, how to add 3DS games to your modded console. We’ll cover everything you need to know so you can start playing in no time. Let’s jump right in!

Understanding the Basics: What You Need

Before we get started, let’s make sure we have all the necessary tools and knowledge. Think of it like getting ready for a big baking project; you need your ingredients and equipment ready before you can start mixing. Here’s what you’ll need for our 3DS game adventure:

• A Modded Nintendo 3DS: This is the star of the show! Your 3DS needs to have custom firmware (CFW) installed. This lets you do all sorts of cool things, like playing games you didn’t buy in stores.
• An SD Card (or Micro SD Card with Adapter): Your games and files will live here. Make sure it’s big enough for all the games you want to add. 32GB is often a good starting point, but bigger is better if you have lots of games.
• A Computer: You’ll use this to download game files and transfer them to your SD card. Any computer (Windows, Mac, or Linux) will work.
• Game Files: These are the actual games you want to play. They usually come in a special file format for 3DS, like ‘.cia’. We will talk about it in details.
• A way to connect your SD card to your computer: Most computers have an SD card slot, but you might need an SD card reader if yours doesn’t have it or if you’re using a micro SD card.
• FBI or Anemone Software (Installed on your 3DS): FBI is a very popular tool which allows you to install CIA files, and Anemone is another good alternative. We will discuss about them later.

Finding 3DS Game Files (CIA Files)

This is an important step, so pay close attention! The most common way to add games to a modded 3DS is by using ‘.cia’ files. These files contain the game data packaged in a way that your 3DS can understand. It’s super important to know that downloading copyrighted games that you do not own is illegal and could lead to consequences, so always make sure you only get games that you have the right to play. We can find legal ways to get CIA files which we will discuss later.

Understanding CIA Files

Think of CIA files like special game packages for your 3DS. They contain all the information the console needs to run the game. Without the proper .cia format, your 3DS will not be able to load the game. Make sure the file extension is “.cia” before trying to install a file. Some games come in other formats, and you might need to use a special tool to change them to .cia. There are several tools available online but make sure you get them from reliable source to avoid getting viruses.

Acquiring CIA Files Legally

As we mentioned previously, playing games that you have not purchased is wrong and illegal, so it’s important that you know the legal options for obtaining game files. If you want to add games to your console, ensure that you own a copy of them on physical form. This way, you’re just creating a backup copy for personal use. Here are some other ways you can get legal game files:

• Dump your own games: You can use special tools on your modded 3DS to create .cia files from your physical game cartridges. This is a great way to make digital copies of games you already own.
• Online Stores (when available): In rare cases, some legal stores might sell digital files of older games. Always check if the source is reliable and authorized before buying any files, and don’t pay for games you can dump yourself from an existing physical cart.

Where to Avoid Getting CIA Files

It is super important that you avoid websites that distribute games illegally. These websites are often filled with viruses and can get your device into trouble. Here are some guidelines to avoid malicious sites:

• Always use HTTPS websites. If a site’s URL doesn’t start with “https://”, you should be very careful. This means that the connection to the website is not secure, and bad actors can get into your device.
• Be very careful with search engine results. Often, illegal websites pay to have their results displayed at the top. Just because the site is at the top of search results, doesn’t make it safe.
• Use known and reputable forums and communities. If you’re unsure where to get CIA files, ask your friends or other players who know where to get them safely.

Preparing Your SD Card

Now that you’ve got your game files, it’s time to get your SD card ready. This is where we’ll be storing the games so your 3DS can access them. Make sure your SD card is properly formatted and ready before following the steps below.

Formatting Your SD Card (If Necessary)

Your SD card needs to be formatted correctly for your 3DS to read it. Usually, this isn’t something you need to worry about if you’ve been using it on your 3DS, but if you’re using a new SD card, or if you’re having troubles with your console, you may need to format it again. Here’s how:

1. Back up your SD card: If you already have files on your SD card, copy them to your computer. This will make sure you do not lose anything.
2. Insert the SD card into your computer. Use a built-in slot or an SD card reader.
3. Format the SD card:
   • On Windows: Open File Explorer, right-click on your SD card, and choose “Format.” Select “FAT32” as the file system. Click “Start” to format your card.
   • On macOS: Open Disk Utility, select your SD card, and choose “Erase.” Select “MS-DOS (FAT)” as the format. Click “Erase.”
4. Make sure the SD card is working: Put some files (like the .cia files you obtained) on the SD card and try using it in your 3DS.

Creating a ‘cias’ Folder

To keep things organized, it’s a good idea to create a folder specifically for your game files. On your SD card, create a new folder called “cias” (all lowercase). This will help you easily find your game files when we’re ready to install them. Just put the cia files inside of that folder. It is important to mention that the folder name must be in lowercase, so don’t rename it to “CIAS”, for example.

Installing Games Using FBI

FBI is a popular homebrew app that lets you install .cia files directly from your SD card. It’s one of the most common ways to add games to your modded 3DS. It can also be used to uninstall .cia files, and get information about the console’s OS.

Launching FBI

Here’s how to launch the app:

1. Make sure FBI is installed: If you don’t have it yet, you’ll need to install it as part of the modding process. Look for guides specific to installing CFW on your console if you need to install FBI.
2. Turn on your 3DS.
3. Navigate to the home menu: Find the app icon. It usually looks like a purple gift box.
4. Select the icon: tap on it to open the app.

Navigating to Your ‘cias’ Folder

After launching FBI, you need to navigate to the folder where your game files are stored:

1. Use the D-pad or the touch screen to move around.
2. Go to “SD”. This is where you will find the contents of your SD card.
3. Select the “cias” folder you created. You should see your .cia files here.

Installing Games

Once you’re in the right folder, you’re ready to install your games:

1. Select the .cia file of the game you want to install.
2. Choose the option “Install CIA”.
3. Wait for the installation process to finish. It may take a few minutes depending on the size of the game.
4. Repeat for all games you want to install.
5. When finished, you can close FBI by pressing the HOME button and closing the app.

Troubleshooting FBI

If you have trouble during the process, consider these solutions:

• Check for corrupted files: Sometimes your files might not download properly. Always redownload the files to see if they work.
• Check that you have enough space: your SD card might be full, make sure you have enough space.
• Try another SD card: sometimes the SD card is failing, and it needs to be replaced.
• Reinstall FBI: If nothing else works, try to reinstall FBI again to see if it works.

Installing Games Using Anemone

Anemone is another popular application for installing games. If you don’t want to use FBI or if you find it difficult, you can try using Anemone. It works in a similar way as FBI and is also very easy to use.

Launching Anemone

Here’s how to launch the app:

1. Make sure Anemone is installed: If you don’t have it yet, you’ll need to install it as part of the modding process. If you have CFW, you probably have it installed.
2. Turn on your 3DS.
3. Navigate to the home menu: Find the app icon.
4. Select the icon: tap on it to open the app.

Navigating to Your ‘cias’ Folder

After launching Anemone, you need to navigate to the folder where your game files are stored:

1. Use the D-pad or the touch screen to move around.
2. Go to “SDMC:”. This is where you will find the contents of your SD card.
3. Select the “cias” folder you created. You should see your .cia files here.

Installing Games

Once you’re in the right folder, you’re ready to install your games:

1. Select the .cia file of the game you want to install.
2. Choose the option “Install”.
3. Wait for the installation process to finish. It may take a few minutes depending on the size of the game.
4. Repeat for all games you want to install.
5. When finished, you can close Anemone by pressing the HOME button and closing the app.

Troubleshooting Anemone

If you have trouble during the process, consider these solutions:

• Check for corrupted files: Sometimes your files might not download properly. Always redownload the files to see if they work.
• Check that you have enough space: your SD card might be full, make sure you have enough space.
• Try another SD card: sometimes the SD card is failing, and it needs to be replaced.
• Reinstall Anemone: If nothing else works, try to reinstall Anemone again to see if it works.

Managing Your Games

After you install your games, you’ll want to keep things tidy. Let’s look at how to organize and maintain your collection:

Organizing Your Home Menu

Your 3DS home menu can get cluttered very quickly if you have many games, and organizing things there can help you navigate easier.

• Using Folders: You can create folders on your home menu to sort games by genre, publisher, or whatever you like. Just press the home button, select your game, select “move to folder” and choose where you want to move it to.
• Changing the Layout: Your theme might change the way your home screen looks. You can change your theme by going into the console settings.

Updating Games

Sometimes, your game will show you there is an update available. Here’s how to update your game:

• Go to the eShop: You can update some games just by downloading the update from the eShop, just as you would on a non modded console.
• Manually Update: Some games are not compatible with the eShop. If that’s the case, you can download the .cia update online, and update your game using FBI or Anemone, in a similar way you install a new game.
• Always back up your game saves before doing an update, so if something goes wrong you won’t lose your progress.

Uninstalling Games

If you want to uninstall a game from your console, here is what you need to do:

1. Launch FBI or Anemone: Launch the app of your choice.
2. Select “Titles”: In the main menu, choose the option that says “Titles”.
3. Find the game: Browse through the list until you find the game you want to remove.
4. Select Uninstall: Choose the option to uninstall, and the game will be gone from your system.

Remember, if you uninstall a game, your save file will also be gone. If you want to keep your save file, you will need to create a backup before uninstalling it. You can do this through apps like checkpoint.

Adding games to your modded 3DS is like opening a treasure chest of fun. It might seem like a lot to take in at first, but once you’ve done it a few times, you’ll be a pro in no time. Just make sure to be careful with the files you download, and always respect the law.