Oops! He did it again. I am of course talking about the 3DS developer Smealum.

This time he releases his Nintendo 3DS hacks for the IronFall exploit game, but also for the YouTube exploit app(lication) – the latter which is/was available in nearly every 3DS store.

But how do the hacks for IronFall or Youtube work?

First steps: Setting up the SD card

Before you should start an application or fiddle with the system’s settings, be sure that you have properly set up your Nintendo 3DS’ SD card. At first you are going to need the Homebrew Launcher’s menu (we recommend the Homebrew starter kit) – a boot.3dsx file – which should be placed into the root of the SD Card (for example: F:/boot.3dsx).

If you want to install homebrew applications, you will have to place the homebrew’s .3dsx files into the 3ds folder of your SD card (for example: F:/3ds/homebrew.3dsx). Subfolders are also allowed (for example: F:/3ds/homebrew1/file.3dsx), if you prefer to organize your homebrews.

No matter what you prefer (Just the menu or homebrew starter kit; putting them all into /3ds/ or organizing them via subfolders), be sure that a boot.3dsx file is going to end up in the root of your SD Card!

TubeHax – hack your 3DS via the YouTube App

In case you are using the TubeHax via the YouTube app, you will only have to download a few files (available above), properly copy these files onto your 3DS’ SD card (explained above), and then change the DNS server of your wireless Nintendo 3DS connection (Settings Application -> Internet Settings -> Connection Settings -> Connections 1, 2 or 3 -> Change Settings -> DNS) to the following address: 107.211.140.065.

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If you are now opening the YouTube application, it will automatically redirect your 3DS to a specific server, which asks you to properly select your 3DS’ installed system software.

If you did select your 3DS’ system software, press the Submit button and wait a few seconds. The Homebrew launcher should now load up. Congratulations! Keep in mind that TubeHax requires an internet connection to launch the Homebrew Channel, IronHax doesn’t!

Keep in mind that by redirecting the DNS server, your Nintendo 3DS will think that http://youtube.com/ is located at a different server. This will also prevent your from accessing the eShop or the Nintendo 3DS update servers, thus preventing you from accidentally updating your console or exploit application.

IronHax – hack your 3DS via the IronFall game

In case you are using the IronHax via the IronFall exploit game, you will have to download a few files (available above) and properly copy these files onto your 3DS’ SD card (explained above). The next step might be a bit confusing, so read carefully while I try to explain it as clear as possible.

IronFall itself can only be used as an exploit game for the Homebrew Launcher, if you are able to use TubeHax or NinjHax (Version 2.1!). So you have to use TubeHax or NinjaHax and set up a few files, before IronFall can be used as an exploit launcher.

IronFall by itself is not sufficient as an exploit game, until you have used the Ironhax installer (already included in the Homebrew stater kit) via TubeHax or NinjHax, which in the end will make it possible to use IronFall as an exploit game on its own (after the installer was used, not prior!).

So head back to the TubeHax section and properly set up the TubeHax exploit!

Ironhax part 2 – Electric Boogaloo

Jokes aside, this section is only for you, if you have used TubeHax to install the necessary files for the Ironhax to work on its own. Assumingly you did this, feel free to read on.

The remaining steps are very easy. Reboot your Nintendo 3DS system, and then open the IronFall game. Said game should now offer you an ironhax savedata file, which is the exploit savedata for loading the 3DS Homebrew Channel. Just click on it and the Homebrew Launcher should start. IronFall does not require an internet connection, after you have successfully set up its required files.

Cubic Ninja – NinjHax v2.1

If you are still using the Cubic Ninja exploit game, simply head to the NinjHax2 website and follow the listed instructions over there. If you want to set up the IronFall hack via NinjHax, be sure that you have version 2.1 installed.

Any older version of NinjHax has to be uninstalled and replaced with the more recent version 2.1!

Troubleshooting & Frequently Asked Questions

In case you have a few questions, concerns and maybe problems you encounter, be sure to read our FAQ.

Can the hacks be uninstalled? If they can, how do I uninstall them?

Of course it is possible to uninstall the hacks for IronFall and YouTube. In case of IronFall, just start the game itself, then select the exploit savedata (in IronFall’s main menü) and simply press delete. TubeHax is even easier to uninstall. You only have to revert the DNS changes in your system’s Internet Settings, that’s it. Nothing is installed onto your device by using TubeHax.

Does this allow the usage of foreign Nintendo NDS & 3DS games?

The short answer is yes. The longer and more eloquent answer is, that both hacks, the IronFall & the YouTube one, grant you the ability to boot Nintendo 3DS games from foreign regions (e.g. a Japanese game on an EU 3DS). Nintendo NDS games should be supported by default, regardless of their region.

Can I haz Izos R0mz?

Nope. Those hacks are restricted to the userland. This means that you won’t be able to load any kind of Nintendo 3DS ROMs. The hacks only give you as much access to the console as regular applications and games have. While this is a big no for pirates, it is a big yes for people that enjoy some well made Homebrews, that have access to a lot of the 3DS’ power!

You broke my 3DS! The eShop cannot be used, and my 3DS won’t update!

Don’t worry! It is intended that your device is not able to use the eShop and Nintendo’s 3DS system software update servers, because this prevents you from updating your system or the exploit applications. If you have to use the eShop, just change the DNS back to automatic (or whatever you have used prior to following the TubeHax instructions) and reboot your Nintendo 3DS.

Currently Smealum and his friends are considering a DNS server, which only blocks the system software update servers, thus enabling you to access the eShop despite using the custom DNS.

This seems to be a really cool thing, but where can I find more 3DS homebrews?!

In case y’all need more of them Homebrews, be sure to check out 3dsbrew. The guys over there should cover your needs for 3DS homebrews.

Credits where credits are due

Most of the code for ninjhax, ironhax and tubehax was written by Smealum. However, a lot of help was provided by the following people:

yellows8
plutoo
mtheall
fincs
Fluto, Arkhandar (hbmenu design)
Normmatt, ichfly
lobo (webpage template)
CUE (compression code)
GW (bringing attention to the webkit bug used by tubehax)
derlanalmeida, ThibG (icons on this page)

We’d all also like to thank everyone who has been contributing to the 3DS scene in one way or another, including (but not limited to): yuriks, Subv, Bond697, sm, StapleButter, bunnei, WinterMute, neobrain, and, like, so many other people.

Source via Smealum’s Github.