Nintendo DS Modding Index

ntrboot

ntrboot is a recovery mode built into every DSi and 3DS. If a specially signed cartridge is inserted and a button combo is held, the cartridge will be loaded before anything on NAND. Nintendo used this to set up blank units in the factory, but it can be used as a recovery mode if the NAND is corrupted, missing, or otherwise damaged.

Required hardware #

To use ntrboot on your DSi you will need:

  • An ntrboot compatible flashcard. Here’s a list of working carts. Ignore the pre-flashed ones as those use the 3DS version of ntrboot.
  • A magnet to trigger ntrboot
  • A second DSi/3DS in order to flash ntrboot to the flashcard

Flashing ntrboot #

You must have already followed dsi.cfw.guide and have a way of running homebrew.

  1. Download the ntrboot image to your DSi SD card as sdmc:/ntrboot/default.gcd
  2. Download the ntrboot flasher to anywhere on your SD card
  3. Insert your SD card into a modded DSi, then run the ntrboot flasher
  4. Follow the instructions on screen. Select your cartridge from the list, back up your flashcard, then inject ntrboot. You must select the “TWL” option

You must have already followed 3ds.hacks.guide and have luma installed.

  1. Download the ntrboot image to your 3DS SD card as sdmc:/ntrboot/default.gcd
  2. Download the ntrboot flasher to your SD card as sdmc:/luma/payloads/ntrboot_flasher.firm
  3. Insert your SD card into a modded 3DS. Hold START to open the luma chainloader, then select the ntrboot flasher
  4. Follow the instructions on screen. Select your cartridge from the list, back up your flashcard, then inject ntrboot. You must select the “TWL” option

Running ntrboot #

  1. Download any homebrew to the SD card as sdmc:/ntrboot.nds. For this example we’ll use GodMode9i.
  2. Insert your SD card and the ntrboot flashcard in your DSi
  3. Place a magnet near the ABXY buttons until you trigger sleep mode
  4. Turn off your DSi
  5. With the magnet in place, hold start + select + x and turn the DSi on
  6. GodMode9i should now boot

If ntrboot does nothing and you’re sure that the magnet and button combo are correct, ntrboot might not be working. Try following the flashing instructions again with this ntrboot image and see if ntrboot loads a green screen. If it does not, your flashcard may be incompatible and you will need to ask in the DS(i) Mode Hacking Discord server.

If you get a “NAND Init failure” error or don’t see the NAND from ntrboot, you will need to boot the homebrew you want through another program (eg. launching SafeNANDManager through GodMode9i). There is an issue with ntrboot in which the CID/ConsoleID are not properly set up on boot, so mounting the NAND for editing/recovery will not work right away.