Dumping System Archives & Shared Fonts

Some Nintendo 3DS games need extra system files to work correctly in Citra. These files include system archives, the shared fonts, and the config savegame.Without them, certain titles especially Pokémon games  may crash, show missing text, or fail to load.

These files are copyrighted and must be dumped from your own Nintendo 3DS.They cannot be shared or downloaded online.If you do not own a 3DS, you unfortunately cannot get these files.

Option 1: Using threeSD (Recommended)

threeSD makes the entire process simple by dumping everything in one operation that is system archives, shared fonts, config savegame, installed games, updates, DLCs, save data and extra data.

Just follow the threeSD Quickstart Guide. You still need a hacked 3DS with GodMode9 to obtain your encryption keys,which threeSD uses to decrypt your SD card.

Option 2: Using 3DSUtils (Homebrew Method)

There is no official precompiled version of this app, but a non-official build is provided for convenience. Alternatively, you can install devkitPro and compile it yourself from the 3dsutils source code.

Requirements

You’ll need the following:

  • A Nintendo 3DS with Homebrew Launcher access
  • The 3DSUtils homebrew app (non-official build is available)
  • An SD card reader or wireless transfer method
  • Enough free space on your SD card

Step-by-Step Instructions (3DSUtils Method)

Step 1: Run the App

  1. Launch 3DSUtils through the Homebrew Launcher.
  2. Press A when prompted to begin dumping system archives.

The process may take a little time.

Step 2: Access Title Manager

  • Once the files are dumped, press A again to return to the Homebrew Launcher.
  • Your SD card will now contain a new folder: /3dsutils/nand/

Step 3: Transfer Files to Citra

  1. Remove the SD card from the 3DS.
  2. Insert it into your computer.
  3. Copy the nand folder from the SD card into Citra’s User Directory.

This will merge with the existing nand folder inside Citra.If your computer asks whether to overwrite files, choose Yes.

Final Directory Structure (Correct Placement)

Your Citra User Directory should look like this:

User Directory
└── nand
    └── 00000000000000000000000000000000
        └── title
            ├── 0004009b
            │   ├── 00010202
            │   │   └── content
            │   │       └── 00000000.app.romfs
            │   ├── 00010402
            │   │   └── content
            │   │       └── 00000000.app.romfs
            │   ├── 00014002
            │   │   └── content
            │   │       └── 00000000.app.romfs
            │   ├── 00014102
            │   │   └── content
            │   │       └── 00000000.app.romfs
            │   ├── 00014202
            │   │   └── content
            │   │       └── 00000000.app.romfs
            │   └── 00014302
            │       └── content
            │           └── 00000000.app.romfs
            └── 000400db
                └── 00010302
                    └── content
                        └── 00000000.app.romfs

These files include the shared fonts, system archives, and needed assets for games that rely on them.