Nintendo 3DS system software

Nintendo 3DS system software is software on the Nintendo 3DS video game console that can be updated. These updates, which are downloaded through the system's Internet connection, lets Nintendo add and take away features and software. Updates also have changes from previous versions. The newest version of the system software, 11.17.0-50, was released on December 21, 2018.

Home Menu features, changes, and new applications

The Home Menu is a GUI like the Wii's "Wii Menu" and the DSi's "DSi Menu" which lets you use applications from Nintendo game cards, 3DS applications, or DSiWare applications. The menu has space to show 60 applications, though 260 spaces, for one application each, will show when space starts to run out. On the top screen, the menu shows information such as signal strength, step count, date, time, and battery life. With the home button, the user can go to the HOME menu, except for DS games or DSiWare, which won't let the player go there without quitting the game. From the home screen, the user can manage notes, check friend lists, change the level of light, check notifications, and if updated to the latest version, browse the internet, all without closing the current application. At the home menu, the user can also take photos with the 3D cameras by pressing the L or R buttons. To open another application, the one the player is using must be closed first. Like the DSi, game cards can be swapped while in the menu.

List of all default applications

All the following applications come with the latest version of the firmware, with the system:

    Health and Safety Information
    Nintendo 3DS Camera
    Nintendo 3DS Sound
    Mii Maker
    StreetPass Mii Plaza
    AR Games
    Face Raiders
    Activity Log
    Nintendo 3DS Download Play
    System Settings
    Nintendo eShop
    Nintendo Zone

List of applications that allow multitasking

All the following applications let you do something else while they are open:

    Game Notes
    Friend List
    Notifications
    Internet Browser
    Miiverse
    DoomVerse
    JesusVerse
    Miibook
    Miiverse 2
    Miiverse 3
    Miiverse 4

List of applications that need to be downloaded and used and played

All the following applications need to be downloaded from the Nintendo eShop first:

 Ambassador Certificate
 Swapnote
 Nintendo Video
 Pokedex 3D + Pro
 Pokémon Radar
Nintendo 3DS 3OS dev menu
Nintendo Dev Tool
Nintendo Game Creation Tool
Nintendo Unity

3DS system software versions table

The following is a list of all the versions of Nintendo 3DS firmware.

Release DateVersionCountries releasedDetails NA: December 4, 20125.5.0-10New graphics API named Nintendo graphics API version 3
Added support 4K resolution FX upscaling to a lower native resolution and Upscaled to 4K EU: September 20, 2012NA: September 19, 2012AUS: September 20, 20124.4.0-10   
 Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience. EU: July 25, 2012NA: July 24, 2012AUS: July 25, 20124.3.0-10   Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience. EU: June 27, 2012NA: June 26, 20124.2.0-9    Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience. EU: May 15, 2012NA: May 14, 2012 4.1.0-8    Further improvements to overall system stability and other minor adjustments have been made to enhance the user experience.
 System Update can now be accessed without a Parental Control PIN code. JP: April 24, 2012EU: April 25, 2012NA: April 24, 2012AUS: April 25, 20124.0.0-7    Folders can be made to put games and applications in one place. Up to 60 applications can be put in each folder. The user can name the folders, too.
 Nintendo eShop usability improvements. JP: December 21, 2011EU: December 22, 2011NA: December 21, 2011AUS: December 21, 2011 3.0.0-6    Nintendo eShop improvements and additions for several features.
 Updates to StreetPass Mii Plaza.
 Transfer from Nintendo 3DS to Nintendo 3DS has been added to Software/Data Transfer.
 New QR code reading function for the Nintendo 3DS Camera.
 Improved system stability and convenience.JP: December 7, 2011EU: December 7, 2011NA: December 6, 2011AUS: December 7, 20113.0.0-5    Update to Nintendo 3DS Camera
 Videos up to 10 minutes long can be recorded in 3D.
 Certain special shooting modes allow 3D shooting.
 Update to StreetPass Mii Plaza
SpotPass was included.
Find Mii II was released.
Accomplishments were added.
A music player was added.
Slideshows for Puzzle Swap panels that were completed before were added.
New Puzzle Swap panels were included.
An improved StreetPass functionality came into place.JP: November 3, 2011EU: November 18, 2011NA: November 13, 2011 AUS: November 24, 20112.2.0-X    Improves system security.
 Blocks some flash carts.
 The 2.2.0-X update is only on the following games:
 Super Mario 3D Land
 Mario Kart 7JP: July 26, 2011EU: July 25, 2011NA: July 26, 2011 AUS: July 26, 20112.1.0-4    Improvements and other changes.JP: June 7, 2011EU: June 7, 2011NA: June 6, 2011AUS: June 7, 20112.0.0-2    Nintendo eShop was added to the system.
 One can now transfer software to a DSi and the other way around.
 An internet browser was added.
 Before, there was a 3D demo video. Now, it is gone.
 Better system performance.
 You can now use SpotPass while in Sleep Mode.JP: February 26, 2011EU: March 25, 2011NA: March 27, 2011AUS: March 31, 20111.1.0-11.1.0-0    Better stability in the system overall, and bug fixes.
 A video that shows you how to use the 3D has been included.
 The 1.1.0-0 update lacks the tutorial video in the next version.
 The 1.1.0-0 update is only on the following games:
 The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D
 Pilotwings ResortJP: February 26, 2011EU: March 25, 2011NA: March 27, 2011AUS: March 31, 20111.0.0-0    The first version of the software that comes with every system at launch.

a This update came with the specified games and has a regular last number (0, 1, 2, 3...)

b Nintendo 3DS owners who performed the 2.1.0-4 system update prior to 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on Aug. 18, 2011, were automatically registered for the program.

References

System software
Category:Operating systems