R4 3DS .org

While cards like our R4 3DS are extremely easy to use, and even easier to update when a new firmware release comes out, we like to make things as easy as possible for our customers.  

We were the very first site that offered complete step by step directions on how to install the firmware on your R4 3DS, how to load homebrew games and apps to your card, as well as detailed setup guides for some of the best emulators out there.

Today we would like to present all of our wonderful visitors and customers with a new quick video, showing you step by step, how to update the R4 3DS Dual Core, to enable it to use newer firmware when it is released.

As you may or may not aware, the firmware kernel is the software you copy and put on to your microSD card. Our firmware files get updated each time a system update comes out for the 3DS or 3DS XL, or when we have added additional features of improved compatibility in some way.

Separate from the firmware kernel however, is our R4 3DS Dual Core Firmware Updater.  This works similar to what your kernel does for the menu system of the R4, but instead of it running the menu system, it actually updates the main chip in the Dual Core card, which in turn allows you to install and use new firmware kernels.  Don't worry, it's easy.  And it's something you won't have to do more than once or twice a year, but it is mandatory if you've updated your 3DS system and need to be able to utilize newer kernel files.

The first thing you'll want to do is download and install the latest r4 3DS firmware.  We will assume that you have your card already, so you more than likely have the firmware kernel already installed to your card.  If not, and this is a new R4 for you, then please make sure to install the firmware kernel to root of your micro SD card first.

Next, you will need to download the R4 3DS Dual Core 7.0.0 Firmware Updater.  Don't worry about the version number, it works on the 7.0.0 as well as enables support for the 7.1.0 as well.  

Again, this file is NOT your menu / kernel, that should already be on your microSD card.  You'll need the kernel / menu system installed already because  you will need it in order to load the firmware updater.  Download it here

Once downloaded, you can use 7zip or winrar, or your archive software of choice to uncompress the file, once that is done, you'll be left with a file, the file name will be: fwUpdateAll_V7.00.nds it is in the NDS file format, ready to be loaded to your micro SD Card.   You need to copy this over to the root of your microSD card that you're currently using on your R4 3DS Dual Core card, so it will be ready.

Once you have it all copied over to the your micro SD card, it's time  to plug your micro SD card in to your R4 3DS, and put that in your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL.  

Power up your system just as you normally would, and select the R4 option to be taken to the menu / file manager of the R4.  There, you will see the file you had copied over: fwUpdateAll_V7.00.nds - all that's left to do is to select and run it, as seen in the video above, it's a very simple and easy process.

TIPS:

• Make sure you have at least 50% of more left on your battery in order to ensure your 3DS does not shut down. If it does, it may end up doing so mid-way through the process and it could damage your card.  The best bet is to plug it in, and do the update while you are running with the AC Adapter plugged in.
• Make sure you do NOT power off your Nintendo 3DS or 3DS XL system. Even if the progress bar doesn't seem to be moving - it really is doing what it has to do.  Powering off your 3DS or 3DS XL could mean that you end up bricking your R4 3DS, and no one wants to do that!