3DS Firmware 11.3 blocks homebrew, hackers working on a fix
Nintendo released firmware 11.3.0-36 yesterday, a firmware that seems to specifically target homebrew support on hacked consoles.
What does 3DS firmware 11.3 do?
The official update says:
Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience
In practice however, this update blocks the 3DS Homebrew Launcher, used by 3DS owners to launch indie apps and games. Interestingly, reports from the 3DS scene indicate that the update does not block Custom Firmwares in general, only the Homebrew Launcher. In other words, this update does not attempt to block piracy, which feels backwards.
i feel like this is kind of a *** move since it targets homebrew *exclusively*. this doesn’t prevent a bunch of kernel attacks.
— smea (@smealum) February 7, 2017
Specifically, the update patches all the known exploits used for homebrew, as well as the 3 years old gspwn exploit, which was the only publicly known way to inject new payloads to fix the homebrew exploits. In other words, Nintendo grew tired of playing the cat & mouse game with Smealum, and decided to fix the “problem” at its root. Homebrew exploits are patched, and so is the only way to update them.
It feels to me that Nintendo is patching this “light” unauthorized use of their console (homebrews) through technical means, while attacking the real problem, piracy, through legal action. The efficiency of this strategy is debatable: Nintendo took the notorious “freeshop” down late last year through a DMCA takedown, but clones of the service appeared almost instantly and are still being used today.
How does 3DS 11.3 impact Homebrew users and hacked console owners?
It seems this update only really blocks homebrew, and Smealum has already stated he and other hackers have a solution in the works. Plutoo and Yellows8 in particular seem to have been actively reverse engineering firmware 11.3 as soon as it came out.
In parallel, except for the loss of homebrew access (which to me is a big deal), it seems other features of Custom Firmwares are still working. In other words, updating one’s 3DS CFW to 11.3 would not break everything, only homebrew. You can check this great FAQ on GBATemp for more details.
As far as homebrew is concerned, it’s “wait and see” for now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a fix from Smealum & team appeared in the days to come.
Once we do away with the monetary system, everything will be shared in the future, and people will use their skills to solve greater problems.
lol
Yea, no. Stop watching Star Trek, that definitely won’t work, actually for the same reason that Marxism and Communism can’t work (and no, they are not the same).
So, to get to the future we must live like we did in the past? Never heard of the feudal system?
I think what you meant to say there was “first”
Aye comrade! It warmed my heart to see your comment as the first one :).
All other systems have been tried by mankind. The current Monetary system is what works in a world that is full of imperfect beings who’s very nature is greed, corruption and selfishness. If you really think getting rid of the monetary system will cause everyone to share and work on “greater” problems then you have not studied history at all. Keep living in your delusional fantasy world. One day it may actually come true and you will truly experience what real tyranny and oppression is.
The monetary system we have is far from perfect because perfection in this world is literally impossible.
Then humanity is obviously meant to fail. Don’t forget you’re also part of the scum who’s greedy, corrupt and selfish too.
It’s not that terrible luckily, i can still use all of my homebrew apps and games in CIA form, as CIA still works which is nice.
It seemed to only block the homebrew launcher which sadly does have a couple of exclusive tweaks like the enabler for homebrew audio (DMM Patcher) so if you want sound on some homebrews be sure to do that before updating to 11.3 as it will stay.
Should never have released homebrew channel source code
Sorry to be hard, but this is so funny to reply…
Should never have commented in this news.
I invite you to think about why.
Clue: Do you even code?
And Nintendo is apparently working hard on the Switch’s release by wasting their time with this?
Lol. I tweeted your Twitter account to ask if you were ever planning on covering this.
Better late than never but lightyears to late for a hacking news site :/
Why does nintendo even bother at this point? The system has been cracked open like an egg and hackers have eaten the goop inside till there’s nothing left…what are you hoping to accomplish?
Dang …wish yall would do something for ps vita fw 3.63. You guys have come up with something for every fw that has come out. Whats going on now? Is vita fw 3.63 too hard to crack. My kids got ahold of both my vitas and updated both of em. Dangit…..! I wanted to beat them but i didnt. There just too dang cute! PLEASE DO SOMETHING! AT LEAST A ARK OR VHBL! STILL GREAT JOB SO FAR. THANX
Killing homebrew on a hacked 3ds is not going to happen. Minor temporary set backs is the best they can do. This update was obviously to kill entry points on ofw consoles and not specifically related to killing homebrew usage on consoles..
Freeshop by TheCruel was not cloned after its takedown orders. The only eshop clone existing is freeshop by TheCruel. Rather that fight back through the political/legal system, it simply moved host and today still is, as always was, maintained by TheCruel .
ha, flashcard such as R4 3ds and Sky3ds+ still work on them.
looks like he fixed it
https://twitter.com/smealum/status/829557882207117312
Looks like he said almost.
https://twitter.com/smealum/status/829558056824344576
is it possible to bring back freeshop? (i’m new to this and only want freeshop or to install .cia files after 11.3)
Freeshop still works – after the original was closed a bunch of clones popped up there are atleast 2-3 good ones out there… just use google… google is your friend.
i disagree, what he is saying is that he has a rough wip version working, now he is working on tidying it up and getting ready for release (if he intends to do so).. that isn’t “almost”, it is “fixed, but not ready”
take a car engine for example, it has a broken piston, i can fix the piston/engine/car long before the car is ready to roll, fixed but not ready
freeshop, no idea, i’m just getting into the scene
that was supposed to be a reply to my post to young introvert
Payloads were released if anyone cares to report on it on wololo <3 lol
http://smealum.github.io/3ds/
https://github.com/yellows8/hblauncher_loader/releases
get em here… hax 2.9 alpha payloads for 11.3 are up for new and old 3ds for those just seeing this job is done and files are released check links above, much love brew fam.
If You Want To Fix It, Watch Here! (Homebrew Will Work After) ————> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FNRf0NakXc
Thank god i never updated to 11.3 (yes i’m still on 11.2 and i refuse to update until a new homebrew hack is out there for 11.3)
what kind of a juicer do you recommend? Your juicing ebook didn’t really say. I am purchasing a used Vitamix
but soundhax still work for launching homebrew B)