This guide currently works with the DSi and DSi XL with the United States region.
This guide is for retail (consumer purchased) DSi and DSi XL consoles only!
Read all of the introductory pages before proceeding.
What is homebrew?
Homebrew means software that is not made or authorized by Nintendo. This lets you play games made by homebrew developers, edit your saves, and much, much more.
DSi homebrew is free as long as you have a copy of Flipnote Studio.
What is Custom Firmware?
Custom Firmware (“CFW”) enables you to use more advanced hacks that any normal DSiWare homebrew can't acheive, like custom DSiWare apps, and emulating the GBA with a higher speed than a traditional DS system, for example.
Once released, CFW can be easily set up on any console.
What does this guide install?
This guide, when RocketLauncher is released, will install RocketLauncher (a modified flashcart whitelist) and a version of DSi Custom Firmware known as "HiyaCFW." For now, we are installing firmware 1.4 as well as installing a homebrew entrypoint.
What can I do with Custom Firmware, once released?
- Install DSiWare much easier than previously possible
- Protect against bricks by making the DSi use your SD card as its internal memory
- Play games for older systems by using emulators faster than a normal DS system can
- Install homebrew titles to your system, and have them appear on your Nintendo DSi Menu
- Run many old Nintendo DS flash carts that were blocked long ago or never worked on the DSi/DSi XL
What do I need to know before starting?
- Every time you modify your system, there is a chance that your console will brick! Precautions are taken so that this is unlikely to happen, but the risk is present.
- This guide currently only works on US-region DSi and DSi XL systems. It will work on EU-region systems once ugopwn, the Flipnote Studio exploit, is released for the EU version of Flipnote Studio.
- Keep your DSi plugged in AT ALL TIMES DURING THIS PROCESS to avoid sudden power loss!