3DS:Export saves: Difference between revisions

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Save data is, for most people, the most important thing that exists on the 3DS. While games can be re-downloaded from the Nintendo eShop and homebrew applications can be re-downloaded from the open Internet, save files are one of the user-generated things that cannot always be replicated in the event of catastrophic failure. It is therefore natural for those who have the means to want to back up ~~their~~ save data ~~in some way~~.

This page details how to back up and restore save data on the 3DS.

The Nintendo 3DS stores save data in the following ways:

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* Can be used on another 3DS, or on Citra

{{warning|text=The instructions here assume that you have custom firmware. If your console is unmodified or only has homebrew access through a game like Steel Diver: Sub Wars, you should [~~https~~:~~//3ds.hacks.guide~~ install custom firmware] first.}}

{{warning|text=The instructions here assume that you have custom firmware. If your console is unmodified or only has homebrew access through a game like Steel Diver: Sub Wars, you should [[3dsguide:index|install custom firmware]] first.}}

= Cartridges =

Since your cartridge save data is (generally) on the cartridge, you can make your save data backups on any 3DS using homebrew applications.

Since your cartridge save data is (generally) on the cartridge, you can make your save data backups on ''any'' 3DS using homebrew applications.

(JKSM/Checkpoint ~~stuff~~ for ~~cartridges)~~

There are two save managers commonly used on the 3DS: JKSM and Checkpoint. If you followed [[3dsguide:index|our guide]] to install custom firmware, you will probably already have Checkpoint installed. If not, you can get it from {{GitHub|Flagbrew/Checkpoint/releases/v3.7.4|here}}. Once you have it:

# Open Checkpoint (the flag icon) through your preferred method

# Select the game you want to make a save file backup of

#* Cartridges will generally be the first title displayed on the list and will be labelled as "Media Type: Cartridge" on the bottom screen

#* The game will not show up in Checkpoint if a save file has not been created in the game

#* If you are having issues getting the game to show up, try holding {{B|B}} to refresh Checkpoint

# Press the {{B|L}} button to back up the save file for the game

#* The save file name can be anything, but setting it as the date makes it easy to identify when the save file was created

{{success|text=You're done! The save file will be output to <code>/3ds/Checkpoint/saves/<game name>/<folder name from earlier></code>.}}

= Digital games and extdata =

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If your 3DS is currently reasonably functional (as in, you can reasonably navigate through all the menus), you can make your save data backups on the 3DS itself using homebrew applications.

(JKSM/Checkpoint ~~stuff~~ for ~~digital games~~/extdata)

There are two save managers commonly used on the 3DS: JKSM and Checkpoint. If you followed [[3dsguide:index|our guide]] to install custom firmware, you will probably already have Checkpoint installed. If not, you can get it from {{GitHub|Flagbrew/Checkpoint/releases/v3.7.4|here}}. Once you have it:

# Open Checkpoint (the flag icon) through your preferred method

# Select the game you want to make a save file or extdata backup of

#* The game will not show up in Checkpoint if a save file has not been created in the game

#* If you are having issues getting the game to show up, try holding {{B|B}} to refresh Checkpoint

#* You can press {{B|X}} to switch to backing up extdata

# Press the {{B|L}} button to back up the save file or extdata for the game

#* The save file name can be anything, but setting it as the date makes it easy to identify when the save file was created

{{success|text=You're done! The save file will be output to one of the following locations:

* <code>/3ds/Checkpoint/saves/<game name>/<folder name from earlier></code> if it is a save file

* <code>/3ds/Checkpoint/extdata/<game name>/<folder name from earlier></code> if it is extdata}}

== If your 3DS isn't working ==

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If you don't have any of these files on hand, you may still be able to get your encryption key if:

* It is [https://seedminer.hacks.guide/ cached on Bruteforce Movable] (enter your Friend Code and ID0 combination to check; if it skips to Step 4 then you're good to go)

* You have (physical or non-physical) access to a 3DS that has done a two-way friend exchange ~~with~~ your broken console at some point

* You have (physical or non-physical) access to a 3DS that has done a two-way friend exchange to your broken console at some point [[3DS:Seedminer/Manual mining|(see here for instructions)]]

* You have a Mii QR code created with your broken console at some point

* You have a Mii QR code created with your broken console at some point [[3DS:Seedminer/Mii mining|(see here for instructions)]]

* Your broken console can still access GodMode9, whether through a boot9strap installation or an ntrboot cartridge

Once you have your encryption key on hand, you can either:

* Import the encryption key to a working console (from which you can use Checkpoint), or

* Import the encryption key to a working console (from which you can use Checkpoint, as above), or

* Create unpacked, decrypted save data with the help of some computer programs

=== Import all SD card data to a working console ===

~~(manual~~ movable ~~transfer)~~

{{warning|1=With this method, you lose access to all games/savedata/themes/DSiWare that was installed on the working console beforehand. If you have a large amount of preexisting data you would like to keep, choose another method.}}

{{critical|1=If you perform this method, you '''must''' restore your console's original <code>movable.sed</code> before uninstalling custom firmware. Otherwise, uninstallation will '''brick''' your console.}}

If you would like to import all SD card data to another console, follow [[3DS:Manual Movable Moveover]].

=== Use a computer to unpack and decrypt save files (easy) ===

(ninfs + 3ds-save-tool)

([[ninfs]] + 3ds-save-tool)

=== Use a computer to unpack and decrypt save files (hard) ===

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=== 3DS Flashcart stuff ===

3DS flashcarts are not advised for [[3DS:Flashcarts#3DS Flashcarts|several reasons]], and as such will not be recommended here either.

If you use such a flashcart, the save files can likely be imported into Checkpoint and used through there.

=== Powersaves stuff ===

=== Official Save Data Backup feature ===

Save data backed up with this feature remains encrypted and in a packed file format, so it cannot be used on another 3DS nor can it be recovered without the encryption key. Therefore, using Checkpoint is preferred.

[[Category:Nintendo 3DS guides]]