The 9 Best 3DS Homebrew Apps To Install in 2024

If you’re looking for a list of the best 3DS homebrew apps available, you’ve come to the right place! We recently covered the best 3DS emulator, but in this article, we’ll break down each of the best 3DS homebrew apps, explain what they do, and why you should check them out.

The 3DS’s homebrew launcher is super awesome and is available for multiple different homebrew versions. Not only can you install tons of neat unofficial software, but you can also setup custom themes to stylize your 3DS as you wish. Enough explaining, let’s get into our list of the best apps for new homebrew versions.

Before we get started, make sure that you first have gone through the steps to hack your 3DS and are ready to install homebrew apps. If you haven’t yet, go ahead and first check out our how to homebrew 3DS guide.

What Are The Best 3DS Homebrew Apps?

1. Homebrew Launcher

The number one spot on this list obviously had to go to the homebrew launcher. It is without a doubt the most important piece of homebrew software because without it, no other form of homebrew apps on the 3DS would be available. It’s because of the Homebrew Launcher that an entire ecosystem of homebrew software is available to this day.

2. GodMode9

GodMode9 is a very handy file manager app available for the 3DS. It may seem simple, but it is very useful and serves it purpose quite well. GodMode9 even allows you to back up 3DS and DS games (and even GBA games using GM9i). You can also inspect the game files and back up your SYSNAND to help ensure you don’t ever lose everything on your device by accidentally bricking it.

3. FBI

What kind of list would this be without including FBI? FBI is an open source title manager for the 3DS that lets users browse and modify their SD card, export import, transfer files, and delete save data from DS cartridges, edit save data, install titles from a file system (over a local network or over the internet using a URL or QR code), browse and delete games (including updates and DLC), dump games directly onto the SD card, and launch games installed directly to the system. If you’re doing some modding to your 3DS, you’re definitely likely to be using FBI.

4. Checkpoint

Anyone with hundreds to thousands of hours of playtime in a game knows just how important their save files can be. One wrong move and all of your progress can disappear forever. Thanks to Checkpoint, this no longer has to be a worry because this app allows you to back up your game’s save files. No longer worrying about your save files getting corrupted is nice, especially when tinkering with your 3DS.

5. PKSM

If you’ve heard of the famous PKHex app, then you likely know that PKSM is a 3DS port of it! PKSM is a Pokemon save editor and manager and editor for Pokemon games generations 1 to VIII. It supports original cartridge and digital copies of the games, allows you to modify all of your data, enables internal and resizable offline storage for storing your Pokemon, can run custom scripts to inject data into your saves, can scan QR codes to inject .pkx files and event wondercards, contains an offline wondercard database to get events from old distributions, and can automatically verify all your data using an internet connection.

It even has an additional optional Android app to handle verification without a network connection.

6. hShop

hShop has a 3DS client called 3hs. hShop refers to itself as a 3DS content preservation service. It’s a new “freeshop” version of the 3DS eshop that hosts games on its own servers and features everything from Games, Romhacks, Game tanslations, DSiWare, out of region games, and much more. It’s essentially a one stop shop for all your game emulation needs.

For gamers wondering if there is an active archive for 3DS games (digital and physical releases), hShop is the go to solution. Not only can you download tons of games, but DLC and demos are also available as well.

7. Universal Database

Universal-DB is a list of 3DS and DS homebrew that is regularly updated. It’s a decent alternative to hShop, although it is definitely not as extensive. Universal Database serves only homebrew software, so unlike hShop, you don’t have to worry about “accidentally” running the risk of engaging in piracy. We know you would never intentionally do that.

8. Reddit App

An unexpected and cool addition to this list of the best homebrew apps is the Reddit 3DS app courtesy of a very talented homebrew developer. Yes, you read that right – you can install and use the Reddit app on your 3DS handheld. Now you can finally scroll your favorite subreddit and look at those cute pictures of cats using your stylus.

9. Anemone3DS

If you’re someone who loves installing unique themes onto your devices, you’ll love Anemone3DS! This homebrew app is a theme and splash screen manager that allows users to install themes onto their Nintendo 3DS. It supports up to 10 shuffle themes, QR code reading to install themes, supports previewing themes and splash screens before fully installing them, supports installing boot splash screens, and much more.

This app is really neat and the themes available for the 3DS are awesome. It allows for a whole other level of customizing your 3DS. This app even comes with a theme list that you can use to choose which themes you want to install.

Frequently Asked Questions

How To Install 3DS Homebrew Apps?

3DS homebrew apps can be installed onto your device by copying the necessary app files into the 3ds folder in the root of the SD card that is used on your 3DS device. The Homebrew Launcher scans the SD card for all .3dsx files and displays icons for those who have one according to the required format.

Installing 3DS homebrew apps is as simple as moving the app files onto the 3ds directory of your SD card, however you’ll want to have a homebrew launcher installed so that you can easily navigate your apps and launch them on your device.