Can I Put 3DS Games on SD Card?

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By Eric Wilson

Are you wondering if it is possible to put 3DS games on an SD card? Well, the answer is yes, you can.

In fact, it’s a common practice among users who want to keep their game backups or play games without having to carry multiple cartridges around. However, it’s important to note that there are some limitations and guidelines that you need to follow to make this work.

To begin with, you’ll need a few things before you can start transferring your games onto an SD card. Firstly, ensure that your 3DS console is running custom firmware (CFW). This will allow you to install homebrew applications such as FBI or GodMode9 that enable you to transfer game files onto your SD card.

Once you have CFW installed on your 3DS console, the next step is to ensure that your SD card has enough space for the games you want to transfer. It’s recommended to use an SD card with a minimum capacity of 32GB or higher for storing multiple games.

Now comes the crucial part – obtaining the game files themselves. You can either dump your own game cartridges using a homebrew application such as Decrypt9 or download them from various online sources. However, it’s important to note that downloading copyrighted material is illegal and may lead to legal consequences.

Assuming you have obtained legitimate copies of the game files, transfer them onto your computer and then onto the root of your SD card. Create a folder named ‘cia’ in the root directory of your SD card and place all the game files in this folder.

Once all the game files are transferred onto your SD card, insert it into your 3DS console and open FBI or similar homebrew application. Navigate through the menus until you find an option called ‘SD’ or ‘SD Card’ and select it. You should now see all the game files listed on screen.

Select a game file and choose ‘Install’ to install it onto your 3DS console. Once the installation is complete, the game should appear on your home screen, and you can play it just like any other game cartridge.

In conclusion, putting 3DS games on an SD card is definitely possible and a convenient way to store and play multiple games without having to carry around individual cartridges. However, it’s important to follow the guidelines and have the necessary tools in place before attempting this process. Remember, always obtain legitimate copies of game files and avoid downloading copyrighted material that may lead to legal consequences.