Nintendo 3DS and Wii U online shutdown and homebrew FAQ

This page answers frequently asked questions about the discontinuation of online services for the Nintendo 3DS and Wii U in April 2024, and its relation to homebrew.

Read the official announcement on Nintendo Support.

What specifically will be ending?
These services will be discontinued:


 * Online play for all software
 * Nintendo Badge Arcade
 * SpotPass

These services will continue working past the shutdown date:


 * Nintendo eShop (for downloading game updates and past purchases)
 * Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter - however it is recommended to transfer to Pokemon HOME as soon as possible as it is hinted at that it won't be up for very long.

Will homebrew let me continue to play online?
The official servers will be going down permanently for everyone, homebrew will not grant you access to them. Instead, an alternate network, Pretendo Network, is in development.

Can I use Pretendo Network without hacking?
No, homebrew is required to play on Pretendo Network or any unofficial servers.

Will Pretendo Network work on Tiramisu?
No, Pretendo has ended support for Tiramisu. You will need to use the Aroma environment to install it.

Can I still set up homebrew after the shutdown?
Yes, but certain exploits that depend on online services may not be available, such as Seedminer, which requires use of the Friend List.

What happens to the eShop?
Nintendo eShop is likely to stay available for downloading game updates and past purchases for a long time. Similarly, the Wii Shop Channel and DSi Shop are still online to download purchases many years later.

Will I still be able to update?
Just like the eShop, update servers are most likely going to be still accessible after the shutdown. Consoles like the Wii are still able to be updated. It is still recommended to update if CFW is installed on the console.

What about Pokémon Bank?
Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter will still work after the shutdown, but it is recommended to transfer to Pokémon HOME as early as possible, as it may not stay available for long.