ALWAYS MAKE BACKUPS OF YOUR NAND BEFORE PROCEEDING!

NOTE TO SYSNAND USERS: DO NOT BOOT INTO GW MODE ON FIRMWARE 11.3+; YOU WILL LOSE B9S AND BE REVERTED BACK TO STOCK FIRMWARE. IF THIS EVER HAPPENS, IT CAN EASILY BE FIXED BY RE-INSTALLING B9S WITH THE NTRBOOT METHOD.

Never use old Gateway launcher files. They do not support the latest firmware, and could potentially brick your console if something goes wrong. Use the latest version. As of writing, the latest is version 4.2 private beta.

I strongly discourage the use of GW on SysNAND setups, this increases the risk of bricks.

DO NOT do this guide if you have a region changed system.

I am not held responsible for any damages to your console. You are responsible for whatever you do to your console. If you screw up your 3DS, don't come complaining about not backing up your NAND or missing one or more steps in the guide.

Prerequisites
- Any modded new/old 3DS/2DS with the latest CFW. (follow this guide if you haven't).
- SD card (8GB or above, formatted to FAT32 32kb cluster).
- Method of reading SD cards on a PC (e.g., an external SD card reader).

Spoiler: Video of GW running on 11.17.0-50E

(1) Downgrade Guide (11.17 -> 4.5/9.2)

Spoiler: Downgrading from 11.17 (optional)

This step is totally optional, but is used to sanitize the NAND so to speak if you have any issues with installing the patches.

Getting the firmware
I will not be providing links to download the system firmware since that breaks the GBAtemp TOS.

If you are using an Old 3DS (3DS, 3DS XL/LL, 2DS), you will need to download "4.5.0-10x(Full).zip" for the downgrade.
If you are using a New 3DS (N3DS, N3DS XL/LL, N2DS XL/LL), you will need to download "9.2.0-20x(Full).zip" for the downgrade.

Alternatively, use 3DNUS to download the firmware for your corresponding console.

('X' corresponds to your system's region.)

Preparing the SD card

- Make a new folder on the root of your SD card called "updates".
- Extract the downgrade (.CIA) files from the ZIP archive into the "updates" folder. It should look something like this:

Spoiler: Reference image/s

Downgrading the 3DS
You will need to download "sysUpdater" in order to downgrade your 3DS. Either boot the application from HBL or install the CIA file using FBI or GodMode9.

Softmod Method
- Boot into your SysNAND through Luma3DS. Your system will need to be updated through the "System Settings" if your console is not on firmware 11.17.0-50.
- Launch "sysUpdater". Once the application has started, press (Y) to downgrade your system.
- Once it has finished, within your luck, it should reboot you into the downgraded firmware.

Note for O2DS users: If you are using a 2DS, you will notice that the top screen is stretched. This is not a console fault; rather, the older firmware is forced to render the top-screen in 3D mode instead of 2D; later system versions starting from 6.2 support the 2DS in 2D mode.

(2) Creating a GW EmuNAND

Spoiler: Making a GW EmuNAND (GM9 method)

Preparing the SD card

- Download the latest release of GodMode9: https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases/latest
- Copy the "GodMode9.firm" file from the ZIP archive to the "luma/payloads" folder on the root of your SD card.
- Copy the "gm9" folder from the ZIP archive to the root of your SD card.
- Download the "gw_b9s_package.zip" archive below this post.
- Extract the contents of the ZIP archive to the root of your console's SD card.
- Download the latest Gateway "Launcher.dat", you can find this in "the usual places".
- Copy the latest "Launcher.dat" file onto the root of your SD card.
- Make a new folder on your computer and call it "3DS backup" or something else. Then, copy all of the files and folders from the root of your SD card to the folder that you have just created.
- Insert the SD card back into your 3DS.

Formatting the EmuNAND

- Hold down (Start) whilst powering on the console. From the chainloader menu, select "GodMode9" and press (A).
- When GodMode9 has loaded, press the (HOME) button to bring up the action context menu.
- Select "More..." > "SD format menu" > "GW EmuNAND size (full)".
- Select the cluster size as "Auto".
- Using the touch-screen, enter the name of your EmuNAND (i.e., "GATEWAYNAND"). This, however, is totally optional.
- Press (A), and enter the button prompt you see on-screen to proceed.
- When the format has finished, hold down (R) and (B) at the same time, then safely eject the SD card from your console.
- Insert the SD card back into your computer.
- Copy all of your backup files back onto your SD card, re-insert it back into your 3DS and press (A) to re-mount the card.

Spoiler: Making a GW EmuNAND (GW+BootCTR9 method)

Preparing the SD card

- Download the "gw_b9s_package.zip" archive below this post.
- Extract the contents of the ZIP archive to the root of your console's SD card.
- Download the latest Gateway "Launcher.dat", you can find this in "the usual places".
- Copy the latest "Launcher.dat" file onto the root of your SD card.
- Make a new folder on your computer and call it "3DS backup" or something else. Then, copy all of the files and folders from the root of your SD card to the folder that you have just created.
- Insert the SD card back into your 3DS.
- Re-insert your SD card back into your 3DS.

Formatting the EmuNAND

Spoiler: Reference images

- Hold down the (Down) button whilst powering on the console.
- When you see a grey screen, release both buttons and quickly hold down (L) and (Select).
- In the Gateway menu, navigate to "Format EmuNAND" and press (A).
- When asked if you want to format the card, press (Start) to proceed.

• If the progress bar is not idle after 5 or 10 minutes, power off the console and try again.

- Press (A) to return to the menu, then hold (Down) and (B) to power off.

• If the format was successful, but you cannot press (A) to return to the menu, hold down the (Power) button until the console turns off.

- Safely remove your SD card and insert it back into your computer.
- Copy all of your backup files onto your SD card, and re-insert the card back into your 3DS.

(3) Updating your GW EmuNAND

Spoiler: Updating EmuNAND (SysUpdater method)

Getting the Firmware
I will not be providing links to download the system firmware since that breaks the GBAtemp TOS.
Alternatively, use 3DNUS to download the 11.17 firmware for your corresponding console.

Preparing the SD card
- Download the correct "11.17.0-50x(Full).zip" firmware package for the correct model that you have ('X' corresponds to your console region).

• If you install a firmware for the wrong model (i.e., O3DS firmware on a N3DS), it can brick your console.

- Download 123ab's GW patch files for your corresponding region and model. They can be found with a quick Google search.
- Copy only the "updates" folder from the GW patch ZIP archive to the root of your SD card, rename the folder to "patches".

• If the "updates" folder already exists on your SD card, remove it before transferring the folder containing the patches.

- Make a new folder on the root of your SD card called "updates".
- Extract the update (.cia) files into the "updates" folder. The end result should look something like this:

Spoiler: Reference image/s

Updating your EmuNAND
You will need to download "sysUpdater" in order to downgrade your 3DS. Either boot the application from HBL or install the CIA file using FBI or GodMode9.

- Boot into your EmuNAND through Luma3DS. Your EmuNAND should be on a downgraded firmware, this can be checked via the "System Settings" or noticing differences on the "HOME Menu".
- Launch "sysUpdater". Once the application has started, press (A) to update your system to 11.17.
- Once it has finished, you will boot into your updated 11.17 EmuNAND. This can be confirmed by opening the "System Settings".

Patching your EmuNAND

- Power off your 3DS and insert the SD card into your computer.
- Delete the "updates" folder from the root of your SD card.
- Rename the "patches" folder to "updates".
- Re-insert your SD card back into your 3DS, and boot into your EmuNAND through Luma3DS.
- Launch "sysUpdater". Once the application has started, press (Y) to apply the GW patches.
- Once the patches have successfully installed, hold down the (Power) button until the system turns off.

Spoiler: Updating EmuNAND (GM9 method)

Getting the Firmware
I will not be providing links to download the system firmware since that breaks the GBAtemp TOS.
Alternatively, use 3DNUS to download the 11.17 firmware for your corresponding console.

Preparing the SD card
- Download the latest release of GodMode9: https://github.com/d0k3/GodMode9/releases/latest
- Copy the "GodMode9.firm" file from the ZIP archive to the "luma/payloads" folder on the root of your SD card.
- Copy the "gm9" folder from the ZIP archive to the root of your SD card.
- Download the correct "11.17.0-50x(Full).zip" firmware package for the correct model that you have ('X' corresponds to your console region).

• If you install a firmware for the wrong model (i.e., O3DS firmware on a N3DS), it can brick your console.

- Download 123ab's GW patch files for your corresponding region and model. They can be found with a quick Google search.
- Copy only the "updates" folder from the GW patch ZIP archive to the root of your SD card, rename the folder to "patches".

• If the "updates" folder already exists on your SD card, remove it before transferring the folder containing the patches.

- Make a new folder on the root of your SD card called "updates".
- Extract the update (.cia) files into the "updates" folder. The end result should look something like this:

Spoiler: Reference image/s

Updating your EmuNAND

- Hold down (Start) whilst powering on the console. From the chainloader menu, select "GodMode9" and press (A).
- Navigate to "[0:] SDCARD" > "updates".
- Highlight the first file then hold (L) and (Right) to select all of the (.cia) files.
- Press (A) to select the first file.
- In the context menu, select "CIA image options" > "Install game image" > "Install to EmuNAND".
- Enter the button combination provided to proceed with the update.
- When asked to relock the write permissions, press (B).
- Press (B) to go back.
- Navigate to the "patches" folder.
- Highlight the first file then hold (L) and (Right) to select all of the (.cia) files.
- Press (A) to select the first file.
- In the context menu, select "CIA image options" > "Install game image" > "Install to EmuNAND".
- Enter the button combination provided to install the patches.
- Press (B) twice then hold down (R) and (Start) to power off the system.

(4) Booting into Gateway (with or w/o card)

Spoiler: Booting Classic Mode (no GW card)

Spoiler: Reference images

- Power on the console whilst holding (Down).
- If you see a grey screen, release all buttons and hold (L) and (Select).
- Navigate to "Classic Mode" then press (A).
- Press (X).

Spoiler: Booting GW Mode (GW card)

- Insert the Gateway red card into your 3DS.
- Power on the console whilst holding (Down).
- Your 3DS will auto-boot into GW mode.

FAQ

Q: How do I boot into the GW menu?
A: Hold down (L)+(Select) when the Gateway logo appears.

Q: I get a boot rom BSOD (blue screen of death).
A: Your NAND most likely got corrupted or that you're using a older version of the GW launcher (aka Brickway). Restore a working NAND backup using GM9, and download the latest "Launcher.dat".

Q: Does my GW blue card work on 11.17?
A: Yes. The blue card can still be used to play games in DS-mode, even on the latest firmware.

Q: How do I download the latest "Launcher.dat"?
A: Google is your friend.

Q: When I boot into GW/Classic mode, I get a black screen.
A: There are multiple reasons as to why this might be happening:

• Modified SecureInfo_A - The GW launcher does not patch this. You will need to restore this from your donor NAND backup.
• HOME Menu cache/management info - Navigate to "Nintendo 3DS/<ID0>/<ID1>/extdata/00000000/000000**/00000000/" [USA = 8F][EUR = 98][JPN = 82], then delete the "00000005" folder.
• SysNAND setup - You may have not properly setup a GW EmuNAND or that you're using a RedNAND. Format your SD card using GodMode9.
• Modified HOME Menu or fonts - Restore a clean NAND backup that does not contain modifications to the firmware.
• Other issue that isn't disclosed here - Feel free to mention it.

Credits

@Temptress Cerise for the help with patching EmuNAND.
@RednaxelaNnamtra for BootCTR9.
@Hayleia for creating the "v2gw.bin" payload.
@nedron92 for discovering the GW B9S method.
123ab for his GW firmware compatibility patches.

 

[Ondrashek06]

I would first setup custom firmware using ntrboot, this supports nearly all firmwares and hardware revisions, since you don't have to rely on older game exploits. Then, you can follow the rest of this guide to add the appropriate files and setup Gateway.


Honestly, me too. I like to play with my DS dangerously. Even if I brick, then I'm good at soldering so I can do a hardmod to recover a bricked NAND or the ntrboot method.

The "old homebrew guide" that I mentioned wasn't yours, it's said to be the longest homebrew guide of all consoles and it had hundreds of steps.

 

[SylverReZ]

The "old homebrew guide" that I mentioned wasn't yours, it's said to be the longest homebrew guide of all consoles and it had hundreds of steps.

Do you have a link for this?

I miss using Gateway. Luma has so many Issues. Always getting Crashes.

I, frankly, have no issues using Gateway on Luma. Luma, however, will not be enabled if you're using Gateway's Launcher, unfortunately.

"Delete the "Nintendo 3DS" folder from your SD card." I feel like this is bad advice, especially without giving proper warnings, since this will delete ALL your installed games, saves and extdata, and is overkill if clearing home menu data is all that's needed.

*updated*

 

[Smoker1]

Actually.......I am curious:

My O3DS is still functional, just the only problem is, it does not have the ability to run the GW Exploit (Website and/or QR Code). Is there a way to do a GW Exploit on the O3DS without needing a Website to Load?

 

[SylverReZ]

Actually.......I am curious:

My O3DS is still functional, just the only problem is, it does not have the ability to run the GW Exploit (Website and/or QR Code). Is there a way to do a GW Exploit on the O3DS without needing a Website to Load?

Is your 3DS modded? If so, you can launch the Gateway FIRM via BootCTR9.

 

[ak1nok]

Actually.......I am curious:

My O3DS is still functional, just the only problem is, it does not have the ability to run the GW Exploit (Website and/or QR Code). Is there a way to do a GW Exploit on the O3DS without needing a Website to Load?

If the o3DS firmware is 4.0 - 4.5, you can use a NDS flash cartridge. If the firmware is 5.0 - 9.2, only via web exploit. Maybe there are some other ways, but I don't know about them.

 

[SylverReZ]

If the o3DS firmware is 4.0 - 4.5, you can use a flash cartridge. If the firmware is 5.0 - 9.2, only via web exploit. Maybe there are some other ways, but I don't know about them.

Any exploit you wish is experimental. But personally, I would use the Luma3DS chainloader to launch Gateway, since its much easier than launching a web exploit or MSET.

 

[ak1nok]

Any exploit you wish is experimental. But personally, I would use the Luma3DS chainloader to launch Gateway, since its much easier than launching a web exploit or MSET.

Luma3DS chainloader - does that mean the console is already with CFW?

 

[SylverReZ]

Luma3DS chainloader - does that mean the console is already with CWF?

Yes. If you've already modded your 3DS like I asked you to in the guide, you can launch BootCTR9 from Luma3DS and boot Gateway that way.

 

[Smoker1]

If the o3DS firmware is 4.0 - 4.5, you can use a NDS flash cartridge. If the firmware is 5.0 - 9.2, only via web exploit. Maybe there are some other ways, but I don't know about them.

It is on 9.2.0-20U

 

[SylverReZ]

It is on 9.2.0-20U

It should be safe to update to the latest, then you can mod your 3DS and perform the rest of the guide.

 

[ak1nok]

It is on 9.2.0-20U

So you need to write the launcher.dat file to the console memory card. Then open the console browser and run the exploit script (it used to be on the gateway site, but now it doesn't work) I found here -> http://gbasp.ru/gateway/index.php

If the exploit worked, the Gateway menu will appear. Then, you can install firmware 11.17 on emuNand (GENERALLY, don't flash SysNand instead of emuNand). And console will not need to be flashed.

Or you can flash the console to Luma and run gateway using SylverReZ's guide. I don't really understand why you need a gateway cartridge if the console is already flashed.

 

[SylverReZ]

So you need to write the launcher.dat file to the console memory card. Then open the console browser and run the exploit script (it used to be on the gateway site, but now it doesn't work) I found here -> http://gbasp.ru/gateway/index.php

Here are three mirror links if you want to experiment which works for you.
http://gbasp.ru/gateway/index.php
http://gw3ds.wiidb.de/
http://dukesrg.github.io/?Launcher.dat

(Note: If you already have Luma3DS installed, then the exploit won't run).

Then, you can install firmware 11.17 on emuNand (GENERALLY, don't flash SysNand instead of emuNand). And console will not need to be flashed.

Yes, so first you will need to backup your NAND before formatting your EmuNAND in-case something goes wrong. Then, you just proceed with updating your EmuNAND via GodMode9, by installing both the 11.17 system update for your region/console model, as well as the patches.

 

[Spider_Man]

I had a jap n3ds ll that I had downgraded to use gateway mode many years ago and have a namd backup.

But I think I accidentally semi bricked it when using FBI installer to delete some jap demos off the homescreen, and I think I may have accidentally deleted something system related because the console won't turn on at all.

It is able to get into the official nintendo factory recovery mode that connects online to download and install latest firmware...but it fails to connect to my WiFi.

Is there anything I can do that can basically allow me to install my nand backup I have.

I never knew gateway had public support to work on newer firmwares because I love using gateway because I use it to find and make my own cheat codes.

 

[mrmagicm]

Not to be rude, but I'm not 100% certain what your main intent is to ask that question, but pretty much I've seen other people, from internet forums to YouTube comments, go on the same bandwagon to post the same answers. People are allowed to use whichever method they desire to modify their systems. I find it pretty ridiculous that people can have a say on what they should and shouldn't do to their consoles. nds-bootstrap and TWiLight Menu++ is for booting DS ROMs from an SD card or older flashcart.

No, SylverReZ, I found naddel81 perfectly right with his question! I found it NICE that you give a way to go to point A to point Z by giving a roadmap, but please, ALWAYS tell the GOAL, Benefits and drawback of a method compared to the usual standard method that is now Nds-bootstrao/twilight menu++
It's like giving another way to go from a city to another....Is the road quicker, easier, consumes less fuel, always something else??
Too many people tend to give their way now, which is "interesting" but without comparing to the usual way
If your process is interesting, please explain why please or PLEAAASE just say it's just another with no benefits or drawback compared to the other.....TOO MANY people now give information without explaining the 3 questions (WHERE, HOW, WHY and arguments....)
Please explains the the advantages and Cons as I am quite dumb about the 3DS environment and put it as a conclusion under your nice procedure.

 

[SylverReZ]

I had a Japanese N3DS LL that I had downgraded to use Gateway mode many years ago, and have made a NAND backup.

But I think, I had accidentally semi-bricked it when using FBI to delete some demos off the HOME Menu, and I think I have deleted something system-related, because the console will not turn on at all.

It is able to boot into the recovery mode that connects online to download and install the latest firmware, but it fails to even connect to my WiFi router.

Is there anything I can do that can basically allow me to install to my NAND backup that I have.

I never knew Gateway had public support to work on newer firmwares, because I love using Gateway since I find it useful to enable and make my own cheat codes.

Yes. You can download the latest 3DS firmware for your model and region from the usual places. Extract the (.cia) files to an empty folder onto your SD card, and install them using GodMode9.

I wouldn't advise connecting to the internet to update as you can brick your 3DS installing another region firmware.

 

[zekro94]

No, SylverReZ, I found naddel81 perfectly right with his question! I found it NICE that you give a way to go to point A to point Z by giving a roadmap, but please, ALWAYS tell the GOAL, Benefits and drawback of a method compared to the usual standard method that is now Nds-bootstrao/twilight menu++
It's like giving another way to go from a city to another....Is the road quicker, easier, consumes less fuel, always something else??
Too many people tend to give their way now, which is "interesting" but without comparing to the usual way
If your process is interesting, please explain why please or PLEAAASE just say it's just another with no benefits or drawback compared to the other.....TOO MANY people now give information without explaining the 3 questions (WHERE, HOW, WHY and arguments....)
Please explains the the advantages and Cons as I am quite dumb about the 3DS environment and put it as a conclusion under your nice procedure.

You know, he wasn't right since this thread is about using Gateway to run 3DS games so asking what's the benefit in relation to ndsbootstrap/twilighmenu is pointless since that one is for ds games. Apples and oranges
People have the gateway card and want to experiment and sometimes to even have more space on the sd card since with gateway you don't install them. It's like using a R4 on a ds respectively

 

[SylverReZ]

You know, he wasn't right since this thread is about using Gateway to run 3DS games so asking what's the benefit in relation to ndsbootstrap/twilighmenu is pointless since that one is for ds games. Apples and oranges

Yeah, the title of the thread is about Gateway, in no correlation to TWLMenu++ or nds-bootstrap. Those are two entirely different things.

 

[zekro94]

Yeah, the title of the thread is about Gateway, in no correlation to TWLMenu++ or nds-bootstrap. Those are two entirely different things.

Yep, and sometimes it doesn't even need to have a benefit, people like to experiment and most of the time the fun part with 3ds is installing cfw/modifying things, even more fun than playing games

 

[mrmagicm]

You know, he wasn't right since this thread is about using Gateway to run 3DS games so asking what's the benefit in relation to ndsbootstrap/twilighmenu is pointless since that one is for ds games. Apples and oranges
People have the gateway card and want to experiment and sometimes to even have more space on the sd card since with gateway you don't install them. It's like using a R4 on a ds respectively

Ok so please tell it from the start to newbie like me and put it somewhere allows to launch 3DS file, and give advantages compared to another flashcard that can do the same, oh, and also give a link, no? I'm searching for something like this but for newcomers, it's rather complicated to understand all those things and historical issues.

 

[SylverReZ]

Ok so please tell it from the start to newbie like me and put it somewhere allows to launch 3DS file, and give advantages compared to another flashcard that can do the same, oh, and also give a link, no?

You seem to have not got a clue about what this even is, heck, you might've never seen or used one before. Don't bother posting if you're not keen and mod your 3DS normally.