This tutorial will show you how to install game CIA files to your 3DS/2DS. These files can be obtained by downloading from online or by backing up your own 3DS carts.
WARNING: Please follow this guide at your own risk. Deleting or changing files not in this page may result in unexpected results. When in doubt, ask for help.
Programs or Files Needed
REQUIRED
- 7Zip File Manager – a utility used to compress or extract files.
OPTIONAL
- FileZilla for Windows – used to transfer files and apps between your device and your PC.
Navigation Keys
FBI Navigation keys: [A] – select • [B] – go back • [START] – exit
Downloading and Extracting
- Turn off your 3DS/2DS and eject the SD Card. Insert the SD Card to your PC.
- Open your internet browser and search on google for “3ds cia files”. Run a malware scan on any files you download.
- After download, extract the game file from the zip/rar file (example:
game.cia) to your desktop. - Transfer the
game.ciatoSD > CIAdirectory located in your SD CARD.
Installing Game on 3DS/2DS
After transfer is complete, put SD Card back on the 3DS/2DS and browse the folder in your device with the big H. This H folder is the homebrew folder, inside boot the FBI app.
Installing a single game
- in FBI app go to
SD > CIA - Select game file with [A] and choose INSTALL to install the game and keep the original CIA file, otherwise select INSTALL AND DELETE to install the game and delete the CIA file.
- After the install is complete press the [HOME] on the 3DS/2DS. If it gives you the option to close the FBI app then tap [X] CLOSE on the bottom screen.
- Wait a few seconds and it should give you the “NEW SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADDED” message.
Installing multiple games
- In FBI app go to
SD > CIAdirectory, select and press [A] on. The following options appears: - Install all CIAs – will install all CIA files in the current directory.
- Install and delete all CIAs – will install all CIA files in the current directory and delete them after installation.
- Delete all CIAs – will delete all CIA files in the current directory.
- After the install is complete press the [HOME] on the 3DS/2DS. If it gives you the option to close the FBI app then tap [X] CLOSE on the bottom screen.
- Wait a few seconds and it should give you the “NEW SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADDED” message.
Installing games with FBI app and QR code
- in FBI app go to
Remote Install > Scan QR Code. This will open the camera to scan the QR Code. - On your phone or desktop browser go to the url: https://hshop.erista.me (only download games you own!)
- On the website search for the game, make sure when the search list, check to make sure you are about to download a game. Usually the games are label New Super Mario Bros 2: content in games -> north america. Click on the game title. In this page it will show a QR Code.
- With your device and the FBI app opened and camera ready, point to the QR Code. At this moment, on your bottom screen, it will show: Install from scanned QR code? After selecting YES, it will download and install the game.
- After the install is complete press the [HOME] on the 3DS/2DS. If it gives you the option to close the FBI app then tap [X] CLOSE on the bottom screen.
- Wait a few seconds and it should give you the “NEW SOFTWARE HAS BEEN ADDED” message.
Video Tutorial
Help…I’m really stuck here. I have some .cia files of games I bought and backed up cos eshop is closing for the 3ds. Problem is ..I don’t have a computer anymore…mine died 2 years back. I do have my cellphone and tablet that I use instead. Now the files are backed up on a micro sd card but how can I transfer the zipped files to my 3ds? Also my 3ds sd card is completely filled up at present too…but I have a spare micro sd card. I can do the fat32 format on my tablet so that’s not an issue. I also may have spare room on my 208 in 1 game card as well…it’s only 1 game I wanna download at present anyways…I also have a 2ds with a almost blank micro sd card in it too. Hshop does have an app for installing .cias to the SD card for playing on the 3ds but I think one needs access to a computer to install that too.
I got my 3ds secondhand but when I got it it had weird programs on it..one being fbi but at that time I didn’t know what that app was so I just deleted it….I didn’t know it was like homebrew mod ding stuff for the 3ds. Yes..I’m a really newbie when it comes to that sort of stuff…lol
So I do have an android phone and an android tablet
Both Samsung..phone is android 7.1.1 and my tablet is android 5.0.2.
Btw…the 208 in 1 multigame card uses ace3dsplus…but I have no idea how to use it menu or what all its tabs and whatever in that program does…it’s all foreign to me. I did here tho that you can copy game to many systems like the ds ,3ds and can add abd delete games on it one don’t like too. Mind you the 208 in 1 has really good top seller games on it…I like it alot infact! Best game card ever in my book..top knotch games on it! I just hope it has no ‘tinebomb’ in it which I have recently read and watched videos about…but anyways..any ideas on what to do about this issue? Many people I know personally are now using strictly tablets and smartphones these days as they are very portable and basically almost like a mini portable computer in essence. Anyhoos ..any ideas or workaround are greatly appreciated. Btw..ran into the same problem with the action replays by datel…can’t use them either cos I have no computer to access it or add cheats too. So overall…it’s becoming a biggy problem overall. Kk…thx.
If you are trying to transfer games to a 3ds without a pc, you can actually do this via an android device. You need to just set it up with FTP. vie ftp you can delete and transfer stuff to your device.