3DS Custom Firmware Care
PsycakeImportant: Before we begin with the guide, please note that before updating anything (Luma, B9S or Firmware) make sure that what you are updating to is stable and safe to update with your current setup, and it doesn't break anything you use (such as exploits, features, apps, etc.). Also, when something new releases, you can wait a few days for people to report known issues, or stuff that doesn't work, just to be on the safe side, and to make sure you don't lose anything. I personally recommend browsing the /r/3DSHacks subreddit regularly to check/ask about new releases, new updates, known issues, or stuff that doesn't work.
Latest versions of CFW, and tools:
Measures to keep your CFW safe and updated:
- Keeping your B9S installation up to date: Make sure you keep your installation of Boot9strap up to date. To update your installation of Boot9strap, refer to the guide.
- Upgrading from A9LH to B9S: If you are still using Arm9LoaderHax in your CFW installation, upgrade to B9S, since Luma dropped A9LH support. To upgrade from A9LH to B9S, refer to the guide.
- Keeping your Luma installation up to date: Make sure to keep your Luma installation on the latest stable version. To update your installation of Luma, install the Luma Updater CIA to your 3DS via FBI, open it and follow the instructions given. Make sure you have the latest B9S version before doing this, since Luma versions =>7.1 do not support A9LH, and versions =>8.0 do not support B9s 1.0 or 1.1.
- Keeping a NAND backup safely stored somewhere: It is extremely recommended you do NAND backups every-now-and-then, after you install a digital game, or before you do something risky. Make sure to keep multiple copies of the backups safely stored in multiple storage options (e.g. external drive, cloud storage, etc.). To do a NAND backup, refer to the guide, then copy the backup to your PC somewhere safe, and if you can, make multiple copies of it in multiple places, and then delete the backup from your SD card. If you have a big SD card, and you have a few GBs to spare, you can also keep your NAND backup in your SD card.
- Keeping important tools up to date: Make sure to keep important tools (such as FBI, GodMode9, LumaUpdater, etc.) up to date. To update CIA tools/apps (such as Luma Updater), simply download the latest version of the tool, and then install through FBI, or alternatively, use the option that allows you to update the tool directly from it (only available in some tools/apps, such as FBI). To upgrade FIRM payloads (such as GodMode9), simply download the latest version of the tool, and place it in your SD card in the "/luma/payloads" folder (overwrite the older version if needed).
- Keeping youself safe from the banwave: In May 2017, Nintendo issued bans (console bans; not NNID or others) to CFW users. To keep yourself safe from this kind of ban of Nintendo ever decides to do another bandage later on, make sure you follow these instructions: 1. Turn off your Wi-Fi router, 2. Go to Friend List, click Settings in the corner of the screen, go to settings, and DISABLE Share Currently Playing Game. and blank your Favorite Game, 3. Go to System Settings -> Internet Settings -> SpotPass -> Sending of System Information; turn it OFF, 4. Optionally, avoid running homebrew from, or installing it to, the Home Menu, as a CIA. Use Rosalina to run the Homebrew Launcher through any app, and run 3DSX versions of the CIA tools instead. --- Please note this does not guarrantee that you will not get banned. It is just a safety net. ---
- Keeping yourself safe from other bans: Apart from keeping yourself safe from the banwave, you can avoid other bans by not doing the following things: 1. Use patched games online; 2. Altering Pokémon save data in a way that will make it too obvious you are editing your save (e.g. adding x999 items, adding a bunch of money, generating non-released Pokémon, changing Trainer ID or name, etc.); 3. Playing games online before their official release; 4. Anything else that will make it too obvious you have CFW or hack-related tools.
- Keep a backup of your whole SD card somewhere safe: This one is not that important, but it can keep you safe from losing saves and data in your SD card in case it gets corrupted, the card stops working, or something bad happens. Just select and then copy all the folders and files in your SD card, and paste them elsewhere. Backup regularly, just in case, and if you can, keep multiple copies of it somewhere safe. Please note you can't put your SD card backup in another console, or after formatting your console, since all of the data inside the SD card created by the console is encrypted and can only be accessed by the console that created it.