Installing Unlaunch

You are about to install Unlaunch, a permanent bootcode exploit which gets installed onto the DSi console itself, allowing full control of the console on boot, and as a result, allows homebrew applications full access to the hardware without restrictions from DSi system apps or DSiWare titles.

DANGER

If you have not yet done so, please follow Dumping NAND. A NAND backup + ntrboot (or a hardmod, provided you know how to solder) would allow you to restore this backup in case the console gets bricked afterwards.

DANGER

Installing or uninstalling Unlaunch, while safe, writes to the console's NAND, so there's a small chance to brick your console!

WARNING

If you do not have access to a PC, or if your PC is running ChromeOS, then please do not install Unlaunch. A PC (running Windows, Linux, or macOS) is required to ensure the SD Card used is formatted in a way compatible with Unlaunch.

WARNING

Unlaunch is not compatible with Nintendo DSi development consoles.

Section I - SD card setup

1. Download the latest version of Safe Unlaunch installer
2. Place unlaunch-installer.dsi anywhere on your SD card

Section II - Updating DSi system version

TIP

If Unlaunch is already installed and you are looking to update or uninstall Unlaunch, skip to Section III

1. In the DSi Menu, launch the System Settings application (the icon is gray and has a white wrench)
   • The version will be shown on the bottom-right of the top screen
   • If the version is Ver 1.4.2, proceed with performing a system update
   • Otherwise, go straight to Section III
2. Touch the number 4 to go to the fourth page
3. Touch System Update
   • It is the third option if your console isn't in your native language
4. Touch Yes when asked to connect to the internet and update
   • It is the left-side option if your console isn't in your native language
   • If the version is already up to date, go straight to Section III
5. Touch the Next button
   • It is the right-side option if your console isn't in your native language
6. Touch the I Accept button
   • It is the top option if your console isn't in your native language
7. Touch the OK button
   • It is the bottom right-side option if your console isn't in your native language
8. Wait for the system to update, and reboot when finished

Section III - Installing/Updating Unlaunch

1. Open the menu you have installed (TWiLight Menu++ or akmenu-next)
   • If this is your first time installing Unlaunch, relaunch the menu through the exploit that you used
   • If you have already installed Unlaunch and are looking to update it, hold A + B while booting
2. In the menu where the icons are listed, launch Safe Unlaunch installer (listed as unlaunch-installer.dsi depending on which menu is used and/or how it's displayed)
3. Press the A button after the WARNING message appears
   • If the battery LED is red, it'll tell you to plug in the console. Select Yes to continue after plugging it in
4. If you want to change the default background, select [Custom background] and press A to select the one you want to use
   • Three custom backgrounds are included, but you can add more into a folder called backgrounds on the SD card root (create the folder if it doesn't exist)
5. If you want to keep both the DSi splash (with health and safety message) and the sound in the DSi system menu, select Enable sound and splash and press A to turn it on
6. If Unlaunch is already installed, select the Uninstall unlaunch or Restore launcher tmd option, and press A once it's done
   • If you only want to uninstall Unlaunch, you can stop here
7. Select the Install unlaunch option, and press the A button
8. Press the A button once installation is done
9. Press POWER to reboot your system

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

• If you see a black screen, please take a look at the Troubleshooting page

Section IV - Post-Unlaunch configuration

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

1. Power on your console while holding A and B
   • This should launch the Unlaunch Filemenu
   • If nothing is listed, or if only the NAND contents are listed (even after scrolling down), then you'll need to reformat the SD card
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 (including whichever menu you installed), the Slot-1 card, wifiboot, or Unlaunch's Filemenu
     • 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 V - 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.

Memory Pit

• Delete the sd:/private/ds/app/484E494A/pit.bin file from your SD card
• Rename tip.bin back to pit.bin, and leave it intact
• You can now restore the DCIM folder that was on the root of your SD card
• Delete the unlaunch-installer.dsi file from your SD card

Flipnote Lenny

• Delete the 800031_104784BAB6B57_000.ppm and T00031_1038C2A757B77_000.ppm files from inside the following folders:
  • sd:/private/ds/app/4B47554A/001 (Japan)
  • sd:/private/ds/app/4B475545/001 (USA)
  • sd:/private/ds/app/4B475556/001 (Europe/Australia)
  • You can also delete the entire folders for the regions besides your own
• Delete the unlaunch-installer.dsi file from your SD card