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Before Installing Homebrew

What does this word mean?

We have a glossary of terms here: Glossary

Does Homebrew cost money?


Will installing the Homebrew Channel hurt (brick) my Wii?

There is rare chance to brick (when you are patching IOS , for example) , Team Twiizers may not be held responsible.

Is it illegal to install the Homebrew Channel?


Will you help me install my modchip?

No. Modchips are not supported here.

What kind of an SD card should I use?


What is the root of my SD card?


In general, how do I install homebrew?

First, you run an exploit. The exploit crashes the Wii and runs unsigned code in the form of a .dol/.elf file on the root of your SD Card. If that unsigned code is the hackmii installer, you can then install the Homebrew Channel to run homebrew without the need to use an exploit

Does Homebrew work on the Wii U?

Yes , homebrews can be loaded by browserhax , the homebrew launcher , loadiine gx2 and haxchi (directly from the home menu) . Wii hoembrews are also compatible

Wii U Specifics

How different is the Wii U from the Wii? Why is it not hacked yet?

Much about the Wii U is not known yet. If you want to know more about about the hardware, check the Wii U page. There are no exploits for Wii U mode as of yet. No one has found one.

What about the controllers?

The Wii U gamepad uses a form of Wi-Fi Direct (Wi-Fi P2P), likely something similar to Miracast, to provide low latency communication with the console. There is currently no way to interface with the gamepad. The Wii U Pro controller uses bluetooth, it is possible to use it on a PC with WiiNUpro (http://www.wiinupro.com/) Wii U GamePad / Wii U Pro Controller

Can Wii U Save files be modified to create a new exploit for the Wii U?

Maybe , Wii U Save files are accessible with Cafiine , WUPServer but there is actually no save exploit discovered. While the Wii U can store save files and programs on external storage, the external storage devices cannot be read because they are either encrypted and use a propritary filesystem.

Wii to Wii U transfer

How does the Wii to Wii U transfer work?

In a nutshell, the process goes like this: (1) Insert an SD card into the Wii U and prep it using the Wii Transfer tool which can be downloaded from the vWii Shop Channel. (2) After that's finished, take the same SD card and put it into the Wii. Run the Wii Transfer tool, which can be downloaded from the Wii Shop channel. (3) After that's finished, take that SD card and put it in the Wii U. Select the next button to copy the data from the SD card to the Wii U. The data will then be deleted from the SD card. So that's Wii U -> Wii -> Wii U.

More depth?

Well, the first thing that happens is that the Wii U prepares the SD card by creating a file, /private/wii/app/HTCE/data/content00.bin. This file probably contains information about the target Wii U console; it averages about a megabyte in size. Then, when the wii runs its transfer tool, it creates a file in the same directory called content01.bin. This contains all the data from the Wii, such as save files, Virtual Console games, and other things. It is moved from the system memory onto the SD card. Its size ranges, depending on the amount of things to be transferred. Now, after inserting the SD card back into the Wii U and continuing the process, the Wii U copies the data from the file content01.bin onto it's memory. Finally, the Wii U erases the transfer data from the SD card.

Is it safe to transfer data to my Wii U if I have homebrew on my Wii?

Yes. So far the transfer tool only moves legitimate data from the system memory to the SD card. The Homebrew Channel and other such data will be left behind, and the transfer will go smoothly.

Homebrew on the Wii U

How does homebrew on the Wii U work?

They were loaded by the web browser directly (browserhax) , in MP4 Files (using the stagefright 5.4/5.5 exploit) Now , there are launched by the Homebrew Launcher , an homebrew similar to the Wii's Homebrew Channel which can be loaded by web browser or home menu (using haxchi)

How can I install homebrew in Wii mode?

You must use a savegame exploit, like Smash Stack of Bathaxx or use wuphax , to run code. You can run the hackmii installer to install the Homebrew Channel using one of these exploits.

How safe is it to install Homebrew in Wii Mode?

Well, as of right now, there are no problems installing or running standard homebrew applications or the Homebrew Channel in Wii Mode. Be very careful, though. Do NOT install any applications which modify the NAND unless you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. Because Wii Mode differs slightly, some modifications that worked on the Wii will not work in Wii Mode. Unless you know what you're doing, it would be best to avoid the risk of bricking Wii Mode altogether. Better safe than sorry.

Is there any brick protection for Wii Mode, like bootmii or priiloader?

No, no brick protection exists for Wii Mode. There is no bootmii for Wii Mode, and Priiloader doesn't work with Wii Mode - it will cause a brick. On the upside, if Wii Mode is bricked, the normal Wii U Mode will still work, even though Wii Mode won't load. If you want to avoid a brick, don't use any homebrew which modifies the NAND, plain and simlple.

Is there a list of compatible exploits for Wii Mode?

Yes, take a look at the Wii Mode page.

Indiana Pwns Questions

Can I use a backup of LEGO Indiana Jones?


I have some problems...

  • Make sure you are using the correct region of the hack

Smash Stack Questions

I have some problems...


Homebrew Channel Questions

When installing the Homebrew Channel it fails to find boot.elf or boot.dol






Invalid Wii App


I have another question...

Read the official HBC FAQ to find your answer.

After Homebrew Installation

Is it safe to update my Wii?


I am looking for an app that...




For Even More Help

This FAQ stinks! It didn't solve my problems!

Please refer to all of these WiiBrew pages for further assistance:

Indiana Pwns‎


Smash Stack

Homebrew Channel

Homebrew setup

I still have problems/questions/concerns


