General information about 3DS Hacking

What is Homebrew?

Homebrew is usually software that has not been authorized by the company behind the system, in our case Nintendo.
Some things you can do with Homebrew are: save editing and backup, emulators for older systems and homebrew games.
On most firmware versions, accessing the Homebrew Launcher is totally free, using the Nintendo 3DS Sound app.
However, if you are on 11.4 or above, you need an alternate method(requires an exploitable game like Cubic Ninja or Freaky Forms Deluxe) of entering the Homebrew Launcher.

What is CFW?

CFW stands for Custom Firmware. It allows us to use more advanced hacks than normal userland homebrew.
For example signature patches let us install apps directly to the Homemenu and the Homebrew Launcher can be accessed anytime.
Because of the super awesome boot9strap (∩ ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)⊃━☆ﾟ, CFW is now possible on every Firmware! The recommended guide to install it, is Plailects written guide.

What is a CIA file?

The term CIA stands for CTR Importable Archive. It's a generic container file for application or game data meant to be installed on the 3DS (similar to WADs on the Wii). However, to run unsigned (unlegit) CIAs, we need to have some sort of signature patch on our system. The recommended CIA Manager is FBI.

What is a NAND/SYSNAND?

The NAND is a chip on the motherboard of your 3DS, and it is the main storage of your console, similar to a HDD on your Computer. It is where everything on the system itself is stored, like the HOME Menu or the Sound app. The NAND is often called SYSNAND.

What is an EmuNAND?

An EmuNAND is a copy of your SysNAND that runs from your SD-Card. It was often used to access online features when you needed to stay on a lower firmware because of a Gateway cart or to stay on a firmware that had an arm9 exploit available.
NOTE: For the average user, an EmuNAND is completely useless these days. Everything can be done on SysNAND, and it will only damage your SD.

What is a Dump?

A Dump is a copy of a storage medium, in our case it's a cartridge or an installed title. A crash dump however is often used to diagnose and fix bugs in software. If you want to dump a title yourself, you can find a guide here

What is a Hardmod?

Hardmod stands for Hardware modification. It requires soldering wires to specific points on the motherboard of the console. This allows us to read and write directly to the NAND. Soldering experience is essential because a simple mistake can damage your device unrecoverable. A guide can be found here

What is GodMode9?

GodMode9 is a full access file browser for the 3DS coded by d0k3. It can do any imaginable change to the SD or system data. It's a very powerful tool, capable of backing up the NAND, restoring the NAND, formatting the SD Card, dumping cartridges/installed titles to name just a few features. The other tools by d0k3 are decrypt9WIP and Hourglass9, however, GodMode9 can do everything those two can, probably even better.

What is a Native_FIRM, NFIRM or FIRM?

You can call it the "kernel" of your firmware. Most of the updates update the Native_FIRM too, and new games require newer Native_FIRMs. However, having a firmware version of let's say 11.5 does not always mean you are on 11.5 NFIRM too, since 11.5.0-38 did not update NFIRM.

What is AGB_FIRM?

The AGB_FIRM is used instead of the Native_FIRM when your console is running GBA Virtual Console games, from injectors or the ambassador program. AGB_FIRM is the reason GBA VC games are different from normal VC games, since GBA VC is not an emulator.

What is TWL_FIRM?

The TWL_FIRM is used instead the NATIVE_FIRM when you play DS Games. It runs your console in "DS" or "DSi" mode, when running from a cartridge or when playing DSiware games.

What is a DSP?

DSP stands for Digital signal processor. It's a miniprocessor used for signal processing, such as audio mixing. This gives a little more information about DSPs.