3DS: System Software Downgrade Tutorial (Updated!)
Thanks to a new kernel mode exploit it is now possible to downgrade your Nintendo 3DS device to a previous firmware version.
Downgrading your Nintendo 3DS device can give you access to older exploits and also to a 3DS Custom Firmware, which allows Custom Channels, Backup playback and even more!
In the following Tutorial I am going to explain how to successfully downgrade your Nintendo 2DS, 3DS or 3DSXL from 10.3 to 9.2!
Compatible devices and firmwares for the Downgrade:
Before we start to gather necessary files, let’s check which devices and system versions are supported.
At the moment the Downgrader supports Firmwares up to Version 10.3.0-28.
The Downgrader also supports the Nintendo 2DS, Nintendo 3DS and Nintendo 3DSXL.
The New3DS & New3DSXL are technically supported, but as of now it is recommended to not downgrade these devices yet, due to a risk of bricking them!
Your device and Firmware seem to be supported? Great! Let’s continue…
You can either simply watch this thorough video tutorial or just continue with the text tutorial below. The choice is yours!
PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK! IF YOU MAKE A MISTAKE YOU WILL BRICK YOUR DEVICE! – YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!
Necessary steps to follow on your Computer:
Necessary Files for the Downgrade:
In general we need at least 1 entry point (userland exploit) to launch Homebrews with, and a few files that have to be copied onto your SD card.
The Userland exploit can either be an exploit game, or one of the free exploits, such as BrowserHax & MenuHax. We are going to use the free ones (yes, both of them).
We need the starter package files, because they are necessary for BrowserHax to properly work.
We need the new & improved SysUpdater.zip from TuxSH’s Github GBATemp, since this tool is pretty much the downgrader.
We also need the HomeMenuHax files, to set up the HomeMenuHax, which will be our entry point to start the downgrader Homebrew.
We will also need the Full Updater Files (e.g. 9.2.0-20X(Full).zip) – Use the Firmware files that fit your devices Region: E files for EU, U files for US, J files for JP, etc. – because those are the necessary firmware files we are going to install. (Due to copyright reasons we cannot link to the download page – Watch the video & then google it)
That should be it. We gathered all the necessary files and now we have to copy them onto our 3DS SD card.
[hr]
Where to copy the necessary files?!
At first you have to connect your 3DS’ SD card to your computer; either via a card reader or via a USB SD card connector.
It does not matter how you connect it, it just matters that you’re able to write to your 3DS’ SD card.
We have 4 ZIP files that we have to copy to our SD card, let’s start with the first one.
Starter.zip: Just copy it to the Root of your SD Card (e.g. E:/).
Menuhax_v2.1.zip: Same place as the Starter.zip, the root of your SD Card.
SysUpdater.zip: Inside of this ZIP we have a sysUpdater folder. Copy the sysUpdater folder into your 3ds folder (e.g. E:/3ds/).
Full Firmware Package.zip: Create a new “updates” folder on the root of your SD Card (E:/updates/). Next open the Firmware ZIP and drag & drop all the CIA files into your newly created updates folder.
In the end we should end up with the following files & paths:
E:/boot.3dsx (this is a file, not a folder)
E:/Themes/ (this folder is empty)
E:/3ds/menuhax_manager/ (this folder contains a few files)
E:/3ds/sysUpdater/ (this folder contains a few files)
E:/3ds/ (this folder contains all the folders from the 3ds folder that was inside the starter.zip)
E:/updates/”Numbers&Letters”.cia (over 100 CIA files!)
Additional Note for Japanese New3DS/LL Users:
If you happen to use a japanese New3DS or japanese New3DSLL you will have to delete a specific CIA file from your updates folder.
JAPAN N3DS ONLY: Delete the 000400102002CA00.cia file from your updates folder.
If you do not delete this file, you will end up with a bricked device. Once again, this ONLY applies to a Japanese New3DS/LL!
You have been warned twice! Once about the New3DS’ in general and once about the japanese New3DS’!
Remaining steps to follow on your Nintendo 3DS:
This should be everything we have to do on our Computer. As long as we did everything right, we can now continue to use the 3DS.
We may need the Computer to get a URL, but it is a simple copy the URL & paste it into the 3DS’ Browser task.
Setting up & starting the BrowserHax:
Reinsert the SD card into your Nintendo 3DS and turn it on.
Start the 3DS’ Browser and visit the necessary BrowserHax website for your device & your firmware (Old3DS ≤10.1.0-27|Old3DS =10.3.0-28|New3DS ≤9.8.0-25|New3DS ≤10.1.0-27|New3DS ≤10.3.0-28).
Now wait for the bottom screen to turn yellow, then dark and back to yellow. Next the top screen should glitch a bit and the Homebrew Launcher starts itself.
If your device gets stuck or freezes, be sure to reboot your 3DS and try it again. You may also visit your Browsers Settings and reset the Browsers Settings back to default.
Installing the HomeMenuHax:
After using the BrowserHax we should now have access to the Homebrew Launcher. Inside of the Homebrew Launcher we start the MenuHax Manager, which will allow us to install the MenuHax.
After starting the MenuHax Manager we select Install and then press A. This should successfully install the MenuHax onto our device.
After this is done we press B & then Start to exit the Manager. Now we reboot our Nintendo 3DS.
After rebooting our Nintendo 3DS we click the Theme button at the top-left corner and select Change Theme. The 3DS will loads for a few seconds and then we can just leave the Theme menu (click abort/cancel).
Now we can press the Power button and shutdown our Nintendo 3DS.
Using MenuHax to launch the SysUpdater:
Our 3DS should be powered off. Before we turn it back on, we keep the L-Trigger pressed.
While the L-Trigger is being pressed, we press the Power button. Our 3DS should turn on.
We should be greeted by a black screen, followed by a glitchy upper screen.
We should be back in the Homebrew Launcher, which allows us to start Homebrews.
Now we scroll down and search for the SysUpdater – Which is the Downgrade Homebrew!
Click on SysUpdater and start it.
Downgrading the Nintendo 3DS via SysUpdater:
We should see the following on our upper 3DS screen:
We should see 8 different lines, which start with #1, #2, …, #8 and it should end in Success!
If we happen to see the following error on our screen:
Then we have to reboot our device and try it again, until we see the successful message.
Next we have 3 different options: Update, Downgrade and Exit.
Since we want to downgrade our Nintendo 3DS, we are going to select the downgrade option (Press Y).
Press the Y button 2 or 3 times and then don’t touch your 3DS anymore. The 3DS should now start the downgrading process and it will show a few messages on the screen.
Wait until the 3DS is fully done and tells you to reboot the device.
Afterwards the Nintendo 3DS should reboot itself and your device should now run version 9.2.x (or whatever version you wanted to downgrade to).
You may remove the SD Card AFTER the “reboot in 10 seconds” message appeared, if you happen to be stuck on a black screen. This may be caused by MenuHax.
Simply switch to a different Theme in the Theme settings and MenuHax should be disabled. You can now re-insert your SD Card.
This Bug does not always appear, but if it does appear you will know how to solve it.
Credits:
- @Steveice10, @TuxSH, @julian20, @mid-kid, @delebile, and @MassExplosion213 and @motezazer for working on memchunkhax2.
- profi200 for sysUpdater, and @TuxSH for getting it to work for properly downgrading.
- @JustPingo for various research efforts and for the upcoming KTM, a safer way to do this.
Since the tut says we can downgrade to any firmware we want, of course within reason, I’m guessing one can downgrade an o3ds down to 4.x from 10.3? For n3dsxl, it originally came with 9.7 or 9.6, I’m guessing it would be safe to downgrade that to 9.2?
Thanks in advance.
I followed the tutorial. but when I got to the sysUpdater the steps won’t show up. It shows “sysUpdater 0.4.2b by profi200 ( A ) update ( Y ) downgrade (B ) exit. Use the HOME button if you run the CIA version. If you started the update you can’t abort it! IMPORTAN : Don’t run this in sysNAND Gateway mode or it will brick!” What should I do? Thanks
Exactly same condition for me, how should I solve this probelm?
did you find a solution to your problem??
same issue, any help on this yet. im now confused
you need to press Y 2 to 3 times
that seems fishy. are you trying to get us to brick our systems?
open brony, use filezilla on pc to connect, press b and try again with sysupdater,
This worked for me
this also worked for me, odd though
This worked for me too. I didn’t establish a connection, though.
This worked for me (without connection), although it still took several attempts, so I’m unsure whether it worked due to Brony, or if the stars just coincidentally happened to align that time, and I just happened to have run Brony too.
But I can confirm that I successfully downgraded my O3DSXL from 9.6 to 9.2 despite none of the numbered lines shown in the tut showing (#1, #2, …, #8, Success). I did have to restart quite a few times to get sysUpdater to actually do anything, as the first ~10 times it just froze at the selection screen.
I did press Y two times, but all it says is “titleException: min.cpp:148:Result:0xD8E08067 Failed to get CIA file info!”
bruh, i’m gonna kill myself
Gotta just keep retrying. Same happened to me like 10 times.
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When I press (Y)downgrade,it turns out the message that”titleException: min.cpp:148:Result:0xD8E08067 Failed to get CIA file info!”. What should I do?
You “updates” folder is either empty, you have the wrong system firmware, or a corrupt download. There should be 102 files in the 9.2 downgrade pack. Make sure you have all 102 cia files. Also, Head over to gbatemp.net and get safe sysupdater. It lessens the chance of bricking.
My updates folder has at least 130 cia files? It won’t work for me either.
hello i m doing everything is in your website.
my firmware is 9.9.0.26E
i have all the files. like in your video.
But when i reach the part to acesse the homebrew i just can´t.
Instead of opening the homebrew a update mensage just pops up. And saying i can use the brownser without updating the system.
so i get stuck there
what i can do?
thank you in advance
Hello,
Every time i try to follow your step by step tutorial i have the same issue
when i get the part to acess the homebrew by the website i get and message pop ups saying i need to updade my system. i try to blocke dns but that way it even open the bronswer saying is not available at that moment
what to do ?
You are stuck unless you can find a friend with cubic ninja, legend of zelda ocarina of time, or a sky 3ds card to get those games and use those hax methods. but other than that, you’re boned.
Downgraded N3DSXL with no issues using the safesysupater :). Also ran the downgrade checker and came out with no issues.
Which N3DS was it? Ive got both limited edition Zelda N3DS and im afraid to downgrade either one. However I downgraded my 2DS with no issue. TIA.
i have tried and works fine in my first try, just a litle complicate to install RX TOOLS, but nothing than google don’t helps.
Hi! I have a japanese 3ds, so can i use a firmware from another region? Like changing my Japanese 3ds into a European or US 3ds… It’s possible? Thanks!
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Hello! I have a European 3ds with Ver. 9.8.0-25E.
I’ve set my SD like the tutorial recommends.
When I access the sliderhax.php nothing happens, so I’m stuck here. Anyone can help?
Thanks in advance!
Hey Max. I have the same problem with mine. EU version 9.7.0-25E.
Anyone else is having a similar issue?
Thanks
Hi there,
I’ve follow the guide step by step but am incurring this issue. I can’t access the Internet Browser because the system is telling me I need to update the system to use it. My current version is 10.1.0-27U. Am I doing something wrong? Thanks
downgrade not working. made everythin like this guide but during install the cia file: 0004003000009802.cia it crash. after removing the sd card i can start the New3dsXL but cant enter some things like settings and browser. that was the 2nd time. so maybe my updates files are *** but i use them from 3diso!
anybody have a idea why this happend?
Stop using normal sysupdater. Go to gbatemp, get safe sysupdater. It provides all necessary checks to confirm that you are using the right firmware files and will tell you what is corrupt. The files aren’t ***. You’re just doing something wrong. Which is using the normal sysupdater and not safe sysupdater. Also, make sure you enter recovery mode first. LRA + D-pad up button then exit. It clears the “ready to install” 10.5 files which are causing issues for people.
How many files is in that update zip for NEW 3dsXL (9.2.0-20E(Full)_n3DS.zip) Europe version.
I find a zip file with 102 cia files and with 104 cia files.
Which version is correct???
Does this method work also with 10.5.0-30E (newest) version?
No. 10.4.X patched the exploit that made this possible.
Thanks for the tutorial. For future people reading I’ll explain the couple issues I had and how I resolved them. Was using O3DS XL firmware 9.4 and downgrading to 9.2.
Issue 1: Getting browserhax to work.
Fix 1: After loading the browerhax url, use the thumb stick and X to pan (don’t use touch screen) and zoom to the top left corner (on the bottom screen). Then use the stylus to touch the right side border of the scroll bar/box. The exploit should start immediately if it worked. If it doesn’t work the first time try again, in the browser tool/options ‘Initialize savedata’ before attempting again.
Issue 2: sysUpdater did nothing when I pressed Y (to downgrade).
Fix2: Opening sysUpdater and waiting about 1 minute before pressing Y (to downgrade) did the trick. I also pressed Y 2-3 times.
Thanks a bunch – I’m downgrading my O3DSXL on f/w 9.6, and couldn’t figure out why browserhax wasn’t doing anything, until I saw your post. In retrospect, it seems pretty obvious (The exploit is called sliderhax for a reason, after all), but since the slider just appears as a tiny line unless you zoom in, it probably would have taken me a while to realize on my own.
Hello,
So I have a 3DS with a 10.4 fireware version (the newest) and another 3DS with a 9.7 version. Is there a way to transfer the “9.7 fireware” in the other 3DS ?
No. You will have to replace the 10.4 motherboard with one 10.3 or lower. There is a guide on how to downgrade 10.4 and 10.5, but it requires soldering skills and isn’t noob friendly. As for the 9.7, use safe sysupdater to downgrade it. You do not need to be on 10.3, it works from fw 9.3-10.3 only.
10.5.0 is the newest, but to answer your question, no, there is not, as Nintendo fixed that specific exploit in 10.4.0. You can jailbreak the 9.7 one just fine, though.
The only way to downgrade once you’re past 10.3.0 is hardware mods and direct NAND flashing.
I did it just now and it worked! 😀
I followed the steps to downgrade my 2DS to 9.2 from 10.3, eveything was all right, but now my 2DS doesn
Anyone have the link of the actual 9.2 Files? I’m starting to think the countless errors I’m getting reboot after reboot are for a valid reason–I may have downloaded a corrupt folder instead of the real one. I found it on a 3DSISO forum post, and it was tedious enough creating an account and wasting my time finding it.
Nice tutorial, though. Everything so far has been perfect. :1 For now I’ll continue to try and downgrade…
for mac users install this to your 3ds sd card root and navigate to >updates, then delete all cia files with ._ in front of them. http://www.emudesc.com/threads/downgrade-a-9-2-0-20-con-sysupdater.607856/ (this is a file that works FROM your 3ds as a sort of file explorer)
i tried EVERYTHING! and this is the thing that finally worked for me (still took 2-3 tries) i tried over 100 times getting the cannot filed cia files! promp.
the problem is apparently caused by mac computers addding in ._cia file copies for each cia file in the updates folder. just delete them and presto chango, it works.
Can i downgrade if i have 10.6?
No and you shouldn’t even try. Only firmwares <= 10.3. If you have bothered to check the article (that someone put effort into writing) you'd see "At the moment the Downgrader supports Firmwares up to Version 10.3.0-28".
So i’ve repeated every step from the very beginning about a dozen times now and end up with the same result. I’ve wiped my SD card clean, downloaded files, copied files, over and over. When I finally open the sysUpdater Arm11 exploit kernel never starts, ever, no #1-#8 anything. I’ve checked md5 cia zip file integrity and everything is good. Trying to downgrade o3dsxl 9.8u to 9.2u. I’ve tried browserhax & menuhax. I’ve tried with the wifi on and off, dunno if that makes a difference. Noob mistake? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Hi, worked excelent in a O3DS XL, I´ve a O3DS 10.6 with OOT3DSHX, is it safe downgrade by this metod?
“In the following Tutorial I am going to explain how to successfully downgrade your Nintendo 2DS, 3DS or 3DSXL from 10.3 to 9.2!”
Do you even read the description?!
Umm…first of all i’m at 9.8E and i can get to the homebrew and all (through webhax(sliderhax in specific) but when I enter sysUpdater it just says the version and the stuff below and when i press y to downgrade or b to exit nothing happens and i’ve tried it several times too so i don’t know what’s happening (p.s i downloaded it from another site i found coz the one u said doesn’t work)
Hi, i’m starting downgrading my old jap 3ds ver. 10.3.0-.28J to 9.2 but i can’t enter http://yls8.mtheall.com/spider28hax.php when its load then its went to Home. I read other forum i cant find another way.. i dont know what to do. pls help me.
Hello There wololo and TheZett,
another successful downgrade from Germany 😉 Just downgraded my New3DS XL MH4U Edition from 10.3.0-28E to 9.2.0-20E without any problem. No error, first try. I used a 16GB MicroSD and the linked packages, thank you guys very much !
And for people who do NOT see the #1 to #8 steps: doesn’t matter. Just press y and the downgrade starts. This is caused by the newer version of SysUpdater.
Hello
Thanks for this excellent tuto. I failed to install HomeMenuHax on my New 3DS 9.6.0-24 EUR. I did start successfully the Homebrew launcher, then start the menuhax_manager, press A to start installation. I consistently get the following error (among other lines):
Failed to download the actual payload with HTTP: 0xd8a0a046
….. (other lines)
Press the START button to exit.
I will appreciate if anyone can help me move forward.
Thanks
Go to gbatemp.net and get the latest safe sysupdater files. Also, to install menu hax you must first set up your theme from the home menu so the payload will download and install.
So, the first time I did this, my son took the sd card in the process of downgrading. System was bricked! I just recently swapped out the system board and back in business. Almost. It is on 10.7 though; so I’m just wondering if I can still downgrade from this firmware version?
Can you upgrade the fimware on the3ds if you have downgrade it without hacks ?
Can you upgrade the fimware on the 3ds if you have downgrade it without hacks ?
Successful downgrade here, but the sysUpdater 0.4.2 from profi200 Gitihub site don’t work to me (Old 3DS XL, 9.90-20U), I have to find the sysUpdater 0.4.2 silub version.
https://gbatemp.net/threads/tutorial-downgrade-3ds-with-sysupdater.407924/
After the “reboot in 10 seconds” message I needed to reboot the console and format my SD Card, because my console freeze on boot.
Sorry for bad English.
You guys know if it’s a for sure thing that the be were systems will get bricked?
Works fine, but when i start the sys updater my screen stays black. Any ideas? Downloaded the files in the description. Thanks in advance!
i tried the brony thing then the sysupdate thing but now my 3ds wont turn of or do anything and has black screen but the power light is still o! what do i do? have i bricked it?
So, I have currently ver. 10.3.0-26U *26*U. That is not 10.3.0-28U *28*U. My question is, does the process stated here work with my current version of 10.3.0-26U
My screen turns yellow and light blueish, and then it goes back to the home screen and says an error has occurred. HELP?
I am trying to downgrade my newly bought 2ds, with 9.9.0.26 Europe firmware. I did the first steps but when I open the browser to put the address it says that I need to update in order to use it and then the app is closing. I also have a physical copy of Zelda Ocarina of Time. What should I do?
Help please!!!
Cant get by the Setting up & starting the BrowserHax: step
when i copy the link onto my 3ds (old) it doesnt do anything. ive tried both of the old options, the auto option, and the QR scan option. none of them work.
one said something like “this only supports 3ds web browsers” and the other three just had a little sliding bar in the top left corner.
please help!!
thank you
Hello i had this problem to don’t worry all you want to do is go to web browser and click the wrench scroll all the way down and initialize save data and click delete all. Then when you scan the qr code click the bar you should see a yellow box. Also make sure you have the boot.3dsx file on the root of the sd card.
I’m trying to follow this tutorial, but I can’t access the url cause it says I need to update the 3ds to use the web browser! I have an old 3ds on 9.9
Set up tubehax dns.
Hello for 9.9 i recommend buying Freaky Forms Deluxe you can access Smealums exploit 2.7 Homebrew Launcher.