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 on April 8, 2024, and its relation to homebrew.

eShop funds can no longer be merged with a Nintendo Account. The deadline for merging funds was March 11th, 2024.

Read the official announcement on Nintendo Support.

What specifically will be ending?

These services are discontinued:

• Online play for all software that uses Nintendo Network
• Nintendo Badge Arcade
• SpotPass

These services will continue working past the shutdown date:

• Nintendo eShop (for downloading game updates and past purchases)
  • System Transfer will also continue to work
• 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.

Can I hack my console after the online shutdown?

Yes, current console modding methods are not affected by the shutdown, and will continue to work.

Certain exploits that depend on online services may not be available, such as Seedminer, which requires use of the Friend List. No Wii U exploits are affected by this.

Can I still use the browser after the online shutdown?

Yes, you can still use the browser on both Nintendo 3DS and Wii U consoles after the shutdown, as these do not depend on the Nintendo Network in any way.

Will homebrew let me continue to play online?

The official servers are 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?

Wii U can use a limited set of Pretendo Network features without hacking.

Nintendo 3DS cannot use Pretendo Network or any alternative networks without hacking.

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 transfer my saves from my NNID to a Pretendo account on Wii U?

Yes, SaveMii is the tool for this. Get it from here.

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.

What about System Transfer?

The System Transfer feature will continue to work for the foreseeable future.

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.