3DS:FTP

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a way to transfer files wirelessly through a local network.

What You Need

On your computer:

• A working FTP client
  • Windows: Use WinSCP
  • macOS: Use Cyberduck
  • Linux: Nautilus or Dolphin, the file explorers for GNOME and KDE respectively - if not usable, use gFTP instead

On your 3DS:

• The latest release of ftpd (any .3dsx or .cia)
  • The normal (unlabelled) version has a GUI while the classic version is entirely text-based

Instructions

If your 3DS can use the internet, choose the Universal-Updater method.

You may already have this app because of finalizing setup. If so, open it and go to section II.

Universal-UpdaterManual

Section I - Prep Work

1. Open Universal-Updater
2. Tap the magnifying glass icon on the bottom screen, and search for ftpd
3. Press A on the ftpd entry, and choose one of the four ftpd/ftpd-classic files
4. Once it finishes downloading, exit Universal-Updater

Did you choose a .cia or a .3dsx version of ftpd?

.cia.3dsx

5. Open ftpd

5. Open the Homebrew Launcher
6. Open ftpd

Section I - Prep Work

1. Turn the 3DS off
2. Insert your SD card into your computer
3. Download one of the four ftpd/ftpd-classic files and move it into the correct place on your SD card
   • If you chose one of the .cia files, its correct place is the cias folder - create this folder if it does not exist
   • If you chose one of the .3dsx files, its correct place is the 3ds folder - create this folder if it does not exist
4. Insert your SD card into your 3DS
5. Turn the 3DS on

Did you choose a .cia or a .3dsx version of ftpd?

.cia.3dsx

6. Open FBI and navigate to SD -> cias
7. Press A while ftpd.cia or ftpd-classic.cia is selected, then select Install and delete CIA(s)
8. Allow FBI to install the CIA
9. Exit FBI, then exit the Homebrew Launcher
10. Ensure your 3DS is connected to the same Internet connection as your computer
11. Open ftpd

6. Open the Homebrew Launcher
7. Open ftpd

Section II - FTP Client

1. If you haven't already, install the FTP client for your operating system
2. Open the FTP client and fill in the information as follows:
   • File protocol: FTP (not SFTP)
   • Host name/IP address: The IP address displayed on the top screen of the 3DS (e.g. 192.168.0.67)
     • This is a local IP address, so you don't need to censor it if you need assistance
   • Port number: The number after the colon in the IP address displayed on the top screen of the 3DS (usually 5000)
     • If you don't see this option, instead type (ip):(port) into the host name/IP address box, e.g. 192.168.0.67:5000
   • Username/password: If you see a checkbox for "Anonymous login", then enable it; otherwise, just leave it blank
3. Click "Login" or "Connect"
   • If prompted to enter a username or password, press ENTER to leave it blank

Your computer is now connected to your 3DS via FTP!

FAQ

Why not microSD Management?

While New 3DS models can do a similar method through microSD Management, said method has a number of downsides:

• microSD Management does not exist on Old 3DS models.
• microSD Management uses a protocol (SMBv1) that is only supported by Windows.
  • Additionally, SMBv1 is heavily outdated, now a major security risk, and disabled by default on modern installations of Windows.
• microSD Management can cause random file corruption in use.