DSi Guide

Installing Unlaunch

Join the DS⁽ⁱ⁾ Mode Hacking! Discord server for guide development and help.

DANGER

Unlaunch is not compatible with Nintendo DSi development consoles.

Unlaunch is an exploit that takes place on system boot. This allows it to have higher privileges than normal DSiWare exploits such as Memory Pit, which makes it able to do the following:

  • Launching applications at boot (homebrew or DSiWare), with optional button combinations
  • Access to Slot-1, allowing you to dump Game Cards and launch incompatible flashcards
  • Region locks removed on DSi-Enhanced / Exclusive Game Cards
  • Run old Nintendo DS homebrew via nds-bootstrap-hb
  • Brick-protection
  • The following for Memory Pit users (other exploits already allow these):
    • Improved compatibility with DSiWare launched from the SD card
    • Better sound in GBARunner2

DANGER

If you have not yet done so, please follow Dumping NAND. While the chances are slim, Unlaunch can accidentally brick your Nintendo DSi. A NAND backup + hardmodopen in new window would allow you to restore this backup, provided you know how to solder.

WARNING

Make sure your console is charged when following this process. A sudden power loss could result in serious damage.

Section I - SD card setup

TIP

Using a Windows, Linux or macOS device? Use Lazy DSi Downloader to automatically setup your SD card.

  1. Download the latest version of Unlaunchopen in new window
  2. Extract UNLAUNCH.DSI from the unlaunch.zip archive and place it anywhere on your SD card
  3. Verify you still have TWiLight Menu++ on your SD card

Section II - Installing/Updating Unlaunch

  1. Open TWiLight Menu++
    • If this is your first time installing Unlaunch, relaunch TWiLight Menu++ through the exploit that you used
    • If you have already installed Unlaunch and are looking to update it, hold A + B while booting and select the TWiLight Menu++ where BOOT.NDS is shown on the bottom screen
  2. Launch TWiLight Menu++ Settings
    • If you haven't changed your theme, follow the steps in the "Launching the Exploit" page. Otherwise, see the TWiLight Menu++ Manual
  3. Hit L / R or X / Y until you reach the Unlaunch settings page
  4. If you want to change Unlaunch's background image, select Background and choose the one you want
  5. If you want the Health and Safety screen and DSi Menu music and sounds when using the official Nintendo DSi Menu, then set Launcher Patches to Off
    • This will also keep the region locking and card whitelist, meaning that some flashcards won't be usable from the DSi Menu
  6. Exit TWiLight Menu++ Settings
  7. In the file navigation menu, launch Unlaunch DSi Installer
  8. Select the install option
    • If Unlaunch freezes at ERROR: MISMATCH IN FAT COPIES, please take a look at the Troubleshooting page
  9. When completed, reboot your system

If you see Unlaunch's Filemenu screen at this point, you have successfully modded your Nintendo DSi.

Section III - Post-Unlaunch configuration

Currently, Unlaunch defaults to launching its Filemenu on boot, but this can be changed launch whatever you want.

  1. Power on your console while holding A and B
    • This should launch the Unlaunch Filemenu
  2. Navigate to OPTIONS, and look at the available options
    • A + B is hardcoded to launch into Unlaunch's menu, and as such cannot be changed
    • The NO BUTTON and BUTTON A / B / X / Y options can be set however you like and will choose what your DSi loads at boot depending on which buttons are held. You can select any DSiWare, homebrew, the Slot-1 card, wifiboot, or Unlaunch's Filemenu
      • For TWiLight Menu++, select the TWiLight Menu++ option where BOOT.NDS is shown on the bottom screen
      • For the original DSi Menu, select Launcher
    • LOAD ERROR is what your DSi will load if loading what you have set fails, such as the SD card not being inserted
  3. Select SAVE & EXIT to save your settings, then turn off your DSi

Section IV - Cleaning up your SD card

TIP

This section is optional and only serves for keeping your SD card tidy of files you won't need.

  • Delete the sd:/private/ds/app/484E494A/pit.bin file from your SD card
    • If you used another exploit, delete the files from that exploit instead
  • Delete the UNLAUNCH.DSI file from your SD card