Apple, Linux, and macOS operating systems require the 3DS (Three Dimensional Dual Screens) software to control official apps and games. The 3DS software manages access to installations, configurations, and utilization of all apps in such devices.

However, the Homebrew framework allows apps by other developers to run on these operating systems. So resourceful unofficial apps can find their way into your 3DS system.

Homebrew is an open-source software management system that allows apps onto your device’s operating systems without restrictions.

The Homebrew idea means that you legally hack your device’s 3DS to gain access to several unofficial games and apps made by independent developers.

Homebrew uses the Ruby programming language to let you hack a gadget’s 3DS, knowing you can easily merge upstream updates or revert your changes.

Because of Homebrew’s versatility and its free and open-source nature, several developers have designed various 3DS apps to solve different problems.

In this article, we will review some of the best Homebrew apps for 3DS you can consider.

Let’s begin.

Best Homebrew Apps for 3DS

1. ChatGPT3DS

When you have numerous pieces of chat correspondence, you need help. Specifically, you require an app to help reduce stress, allowing you to split your attention across many chat threads.

ChatGPT3DS is among the best Homebrew apps built for the Nintendo 3DS framework to give you access to image generation and chat completion APIs.

Designed in the LovePotion and Lua programming languages, ChatGPT3DS utilizes OpenAI API when making calls to the image generation and the GPT-3.5 Turbo and GPT-4 models. It comes in different releases, downloadable from the developer’s releases page.

You can download and move the ChatGPT3DS.3dsx to the /3ds/ directory on your memory card to configure it into your device.

Alternatively, you can put the OpenAI API key into the file stored in the /3ds/save/api_key.txt directory. Otherwise, you will need to enter the API key when running the app.

2. 3DSLGremote

3DSLGremote is available in the 3DSX format, and you can extract the archive to an SD card to launch it from the Homebrew Launcher.

LG TV enthusiasts will find it fun using this app to control their television sets remotely via WiFi on the 3DS device.

Even if you are going through frustrations with your home WiFi, causing numerous time-outs, there is still a way out. You can set your IP Key in the settings mode by holding the L-shoulder and R-shoulder.

The next step is to use the Dpad Right and Left to move between the Key, IP, and Port fields. Once done, press the green button on the touchpad to save the settings.

You can now close and reopen the app to locate the TV key. Note that the Port and IP must be correct for communication between your LG TV set and your 3DS device.

While in the control mode, Green and B represent the “OK” numpad, while Red and A represent the “back” numpad.

3. ShutTheCamUp 3DS

ShutTheCamUp helps you remove the nagging high-pitched beep camera shutter sound from all the 3DS apps. The developer, however, discourages using this app for malicious purposes.

You can use this app especially if you have numerous apps in your 3DS device that require you to use the camera and yet you don’t want any sounds from the camera.

Loading external modules and FIRMS and enabling patching before installing the ShutTheCamUp app is important. The app is compatible with both the new and old 3DS.

To configure, users with versions below v13 of Luma3DS need to put the .ips file in the format: /luma/titles/0004013000001602/code.ips. Those with Luma3DS v13 or later versions should set the directory to /luma/sysmodules/0004013000001602.ips.

4. 3DSBank

3DSBank is a 3DS Homebrew app that acts like a folder selector. If you have reached the limit of 300 titles on the 3DS, the 3DSBank Homebrew app will temporarily store the Nintendo 3DS folder.

3DSBank gives you the dynamism you need when creating new folders or selecting which ones to use.

It would help if you exercised a lot of precautions before installing this app lest you lose your data. For example, consider backing up the Nintendo 3DS folder in a different location on your device.

3DSBank will give you more than 300 titles when you hit your limit, so you don’t need to use another SD card or make an EmuNAND. You only need to select another Nintendo 3DS folder to access more titles.

This temporary additional storage is called a bank, and you have no limit on how many folders you can create so long as your device has adequate memory.

5. TinyVNC 3DS

TinyVNC is a remote access mirroring app for Nintendo 3DS. The app allows you to connect to any computer device hosting a VNC server, view content, and control using your 3DS.

You can even work remotely on a 3DS device, giving it instructions wherever you are. It transmits mouse events and keyboard strokes from one device to another, displaying the remote screen.

TinyVNC is usable across nearly all operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux. Now, with the Homebrew package for 3DS, it is possible to set in almost any device. TinyVNC is way better than RDP, which only works on Windows systems.

TinyVNC supports a resolution of 1024 X 1024 since anything larger cannot fit into the 3DS screen and is compatible with several VNC servers.

However, it is important to note that larger server resolutions reduce the performance of TinyVNC. So, you may want to set a reasonable resolution that will be a trade-off between quality and performance.

6. Anemone3DS

You can use Anemone3DS to manage Splash Screens and Themes in Nintendo 3DS.

Written in the C programming language, Anemone3DS can let you install a single theme in your 3DS, install a maximum of ten shuffle themes, and install your themes via QR – thanks to its QR code reading ability.

It allows you to preview your splashes and screens before installing them. It also supports installing boot splashes for Luma3DS.

Once this app converts CIA themes to Anemone themes format, you can immediately work on your themes from one place. Anemone3DS even supports themes that lack the SMDH file.

Anemone3DS comes in CIA and 3DSX/SMDH formats. When installing, you need to consider this: for the CIA, you need to include the .cia extension and .3dsx for the 3DSX

You can start by installing the CIA with your preferred CIA manager, while for 3DSX, copy both the .3dsx and .smdh files to the /3ds/Anemone3DS/ directory on your SD card.

7. FBI Reloaded 3DS

FBI Reloaded is an open-source Homebrew title manager for 3DS. It comes as an improvement of the initial FBI app.

The app allows you to perform various functions, including modifying the SD card, TWL sounds, TWL photos, and saving data. You can import, export, and delete saved data secure values from DS cartridges.

You can install tickets/titles over a local network from a file system with a QR code or URL over the Internet.

FBI Reloaded imports title seeds from the SD card or the Internet automatically. You can also search and delete cached titles, pending eShop titles, downloaded updates, and more.

Available in CIA and 3DSX formats, you can choose your preferred theme; whether dark or light. Also, you can proceed with the customization by replacing RomFS elements in “sdmc:/fbi/theme/”.

8. EzB9SUpdater 3DS

EzB9SUpdater 3DS is among the best Homebrew apps for 3DS, known for updating Boot9strap to the latest version without an SD card reader or a computer.

It uses the Boot9strap and SafeB9SInstaller utilities to grant a secure and smooth update process.

To update Boot9strap, you will launch the EzB9SUpdater 3DS app from the Homebrew home menu and follow the instructions.

You should keep holding the Start button until you see the SafeB9SInstaller screen, or else no update will occur since the console will get into EzB9SUpdater again. Once the update is done, exit the app and ensure you uninstall it from the FBI.

You can confirm the success of the update from version 1.3 to 1.4 in a few steps. First, turn off the console, press and hold X + SELECT + START, then turn on your device without releasing those buttons.

The LED will light up for a second as a sign of success. If this doesn’t happen, then the update was not successful.

9. GBA Net Boot 3DS

GBA Net Boot 3DS is among the best Homebrew apps for 3DS; it receives and boots GBA Homebrew wirelessly with inbuilt GBA hardware.

You can even send Homebrew ROMs on a WiFi network to your 3DS.

GBA Net Boot 3DS app will collect your ROM, record it into the memory card then boot open_agb_firm to run your ROM in the recommended GBA mode available in your 3DS.

The rationale is to ensure testing GBA Homebrew apps is official, painless, and seamless.

To install the GBA Net Boot 3DS app, you should first configure Boot9strap and Luma3DS. You then need to install fastboot3DS via OpenFirmInstaller.

Like other Homebrew apps, you need to get to the 3DS Home Menu to start the Homebrew Launcher and locate the GBA Net Boot 3DS app.

10. 3DSUSBController

3DSUSBController is a Homebrew app with three components that make it usable as a 3DS cross-platform USB gamepad.

The components are 3DSUSBController-Server, 3DSUSBController-Homebrew, and 3DSUSBController-USB-Device.

It requires Java, a Teensy development board, and a 3DS that can run Homebrew (like Freakyhax).

If you want to run 3DSUSBController, you should start by connecting the USB device, starting the server, and then starting Homebrew.

If you want to exit, you should press Select and Start simultaneously or consider using the touchscreen in Dolphin.

11. NTR Launcher 3DS

The NTR Launcher 3DS app will help you reinvent the 3DS boot animation mode on your 3DS device to launch your 3DS games from the slot containing the 3DS logo animation.

You can directly launch the game you have in slot 1 and configure this app in a few steps. Find the installation file at the sdmc:/nds/ntr_launcher.ini directory and choose zero (0) for false and one (1) for true right after the equal sign.

Once done, enable the animated bootsplash in the NTR_Launcher.ini file and the app is set to use from your device!

This app can also boot flashcards that ordinarily encounter problems running from the home menu.

12. OpenAI 3DS

Written in the C programming language, the OpenAI-3DS app is a chat client that can record your voice while synthesizing the responses in audio format.

It begins to synthesize your voice after you complete the first sentence. In the process, it also works on the response simultaneously. The app will instantly stream the response immediately after you send your question.

You can easily scroll through over 100 messages, even images, as the response streams and voice synthesizes. The app uses artificial intelligence to remember ten previous questions and their responses.

13. STEPPER 3DS

STEPPER 3DS is your ideal app if you want your device to give you quality sound when listening to music, playing an interesting game, or chilling out with a thrilling movie.

It is a robust 16-step sequencer Homebrew app for 3DS, best for Game Boy Advance. It is your favorite app for sound enhancement.

Inspired by Elektron systems, it allows access to one custom wave, two square wave channels, and one noise channel. STEPPER 3DS supports up to four banks of eight patterns queueable during live performance.

14. 3DS Sorting

The 3DS Sorting app is one of the best Homebrew apps for 3DS that shows a visualization of various sorting algorithms on Nintendo.

This app will suffice when you need a visual representation of assorted items following some set steps, like those in popular YouTube videos.

The graphical representations come in a chart summarizing the data sets enlisted in the algorithm.

For instance, you can sort similar entries, text, or figures in a specific order set in an algorithm, and then let the app represent the data for you graphically.

15. Battery Monitor 3D 3DS

Battery Monitor 3D is one of the best Homebrew apps for 3DS, loved for the beauty it creates when displaying the battery percentage.

The app will make your device’s battery percentage display appear like that of an Android gadget, unlike the static display that comes with official 3DS apps.

The graphical interface comes in handy when you keenly want to monitor your battery usage so that you are not caught off-guard when playing your favorite game. You can also tell whether your device is actually charging or not.

Conclusion

These are some of the best Homebrew apps for 3DS.

There is a Homebrew app to engage whenever you want to do a wide range of tasks with your device. The Homebrew software package allows you, as a creative programmer, to develop an app to improve those listed in the closed 3DS system.

However, do take precautions when installing some of these apps since the procedure has to be followed correctly to avoid messing up your device or data.

So now that you know that 3DS won’t deter you from using unofficial creative apps, you can add Homebrew to your 3DS device to improve your experience and enjoy its limitless potential.

Tom Clayton

Tom loves to write on technology, e-commerce & internet marketing. I started my first e-commerce company in college, designing and selling t-shirts for my campus bar crawl using print-on-demand. Having successfully established multiple 6 & 7-figure e-commerce businesses (in women’s fashion and hiking gear), I think I can share a tip or 2 to help you succeed.