With the New 3DS XL announced for the US, let's talk transfers
- Thread starter Boogiepop
- Start date
Enigmatic Rainbow
Member
Trevelyan9999
Banned
Thank you hero of time! You just saved me some stress on launch day, I will do exactly as you said in this explanation.
So, if you buy a 3DS with a game preinstalled on it, you are able to complete a full transfer from another console without losing the preinstalled software?
How does the new 3DS know that you "own" the preinstalled game if you can't link the new console to an NNID before the transfer?
How does the new 3DS know that you "own" the preinstalled game if you can't link the new console to an NNID before the transfer?
All the preinstalled software gets merged into your NNID account during the transfer, but you'll need to re-download it after the transfer is complete.
You have three options.
The first option transfers everything, the second transfers saves and licenses, and the last one transfers just the licenses and you have to do the rest manually via PC.
Sorry, just now getting back to the thread, but that's AMAZING thanks for the tip.
That's clever. Thanks for the info.
I was absolutely shitting myself before transferring from my regular XL to my new 3DS. Largely because of my Animal Crossing save.
I have to say, the on-screen instructions are very clear, and I was able to transfer just fine using a PC to move all the software so that I didn't have to spend hours downloading/transferring the lot.
Fear not Gaf. It'll all be okay.
You are 100% correct, and I will edit my posts cleaning them up. I was getting confused myself there at the end of it all today. Apologies for any misinformation that snuck in there.
What I absolutely meant to get across however was that it is by far the most absolutely simple way to do things by getting an microSD card with an adapter and setting it all up now if you can.
Again, it is all right here. I have been linking to it for days, and even I was quoting a few things wrong.
chaobreaker
Member
How do some of you have a new 3DS already?
……forgetit
Member
They imported/are Australian/are Japanese/got the ambassador edition.
chaobreaker
Member
Oh yeah, I forgot about those other parts of Earth.
But seriously, this thread was originally intended for just NA 3ds the soon-to-be owners but I guess this complicated transferring business wouldn't just be a localized issue now that I think about it.
Askherserenity
Member
Eh, you actually made it less confusing for me.
I'm glad all this is cleared up. Now I just hope Gamestop aren't jerks about it for everyone.
Oh hey! I may have made a mistake or two (because I was just as confused as everyone else before digging all over the internets for info) but I would never claim something so foolish as that! We are all this confused precisely because they are...
My dog works at Nintendo
Where is the software license located in a 3DS with preinstalled software on it? Say I buy the MH4U bundle, and already have a 16GB MicroSD ready. Can I put in the bigger MicroSD before transfering, and will I still be able to download MH4U on the eShop after the transfer is complete?
Or is the license stored in the Micro SD Card and removing it will also take away the license?
Or is the license stored in the Micro SD Card and removing it will also take away the license?
chaobreaker
Member
The preinstalled game's license is attached to the system itself, not the memory card. The game is basically in license limbo as long as you don't attach a NNID to the new system. Just do a transfer normally and the preinstalled game will be associated with your preexisting account from your old 3DS but you'll have to download it again.
As long as it's formatted FAT32 it should work. Some people have reported success with even bigger cards even though they're over the officially supported limit.
Alright, gotcha.
So basically:
1. Before doing anything, open up the New 3DS XL and replace the 4GB MicroSD with the bigger, empty MicroSD.
2. Do the transfer between my old 3DS and the New 3DS XL. This will attach the license of the preinstalled software to my NNID.
3. Once transfer is complete, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate can be redownloaded from the eShop.
Right? This is for the New 3DS Launch OT and I want to be absolutely 100% sure this is how it will work
.Kai Dracon
Writing a dinosaur space opera symphony
Just to reconfirm one more time: if I already have a 32gig micro-SD card in my 3DS XL (via an SD adapter), I should use the "copy via PC" option, and insert the 32gig micro-SD at the end of the transfer? Since I effectively already copied my data to the 32gig card using my PC.
chaobreaker
Member
Alright, gotcha.
So basically:
1. Before doing anything, open up the New 3DS XL and replace the 4GB MicroSD with the bigger, empty MicroSD.
2. Do the transfer between my old 3DS and the New 3DS XL. This will attach the license of the preinstalled software to my NNID.
3. Once transfer is complete, Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate can be redownloaded from the eShop.
Right? This is for the New 3DS Launch OT and I want to be absolutely 100% sure this is how it will work
If you need a second confirmation, read this. Explains what I said in more detail.
Haha well that guide is exactly why I asked for confirmation here, because that guide says that you will lose the MH4U license if you put in a larger MicroSD Card before transferring:
According to this guide, you will lose the MH4U license if you put in the larger MicroSD before the transfer and then do a wireless transfer. :/
Ok. Why it is called SDXC, while I've seen others called SDHC?
Is it the same? Why some Micro SD cards are way more expensive on Amazon.it compared to that? I'm trying to avoid to be screwed!
FaintDeftone
Junior Member
This is why I'm not even messing with Gamestop. I do not want to do a system transfer on their terms. I'll just trade my old XL in afterwards and take the $20 hit and use it to preorder Bloodborne or something.
Also, does the MicroSD class really matter that much?
Hey guys, I'm so confused. I have the original 3DS. I would like to buy the New Nintendo 3DS. All this stuff is so confusing.
I don't want to buy a new MicroSD card as the one I have currently is only 4GB and so that should be fine.
So what are my steps here? Can anyone confirm if I am going to be doing it right?
1. Take out SD card of original 3DS. Place into computer. Copy all the contents over to it.
2. Take out MicroSD card of new 3DS XL. Place into computer. Copy contents from computer to the MicroSD card.
3. On old 3DS go to System Transfer?
4. On new 3DS go to System Transfer?
5. On old 3DS click Copy from PC?
And then what do I do next? Is that it?
Thanks for all your help.
I don't want to buy a new MicroSD card as the one I have currently is only 4GB and so that should be fine.
So what are my steps here? Can anyone confirm if I am going to be doing it right?
1. Take out SD card of original 3DS. Place into computer. Copy all the contents over to it.
2. Take out MicroSD card of new 3DS XL. Place into computer. Copy contents from computer to the MicroSD card.
3. On old 3DS go to System Transfer?
4. On new 3DS go to System Transfer?
5. On old 3DS click Copy from PC?
And then what do I do next? Is that it?
Thanks for all your help.
You have three options.
The first option transfers everything, the second transfers saves and licenses, and the last one transfers just the licenses and you have to do the rest manually via PC.
So, I'm assuming that you cannot simply manually move all your data to a new SD card via PC? As in you need to select this option through the system settings due to game/software licensing protection?
They're different standards with different specifications so they have different names. SDHC are physically limited to max capacity of 32 GB vs. SDHX which can go to 2TB, but they interact with readers the same way so everything tends to be forward compatible. As long as you format it to FAT32 there's no reason the 3DS shouldn't be able to read it, but... no guarantees.
Your case is the easiest. Best way to go about it:
1. Go to System transfer on both your old and New 3DS
2. You get three choices during the transfer process: a) Wireless transfer. 4GB takes 2 hours. After that, you're done. b) License transfer. Transfers everything except downloaded software, which you can re download on your new system after the transfer is complete. This is much faster than the first option. c) Transfer via PC.
3. If you chose a or b, you're done when the transfer process is completed. If you choose c, you do those first 2 steps in your post and then put the MicroSD in your New 3DS.
Crazymoogle
Member
SDXC is a newer standard that has various minor improvements for higher speed devices and uses Microsoft's exFAT file system to support much larger capacities. You have to reformat it to FAT32 because that's the only file system 3DS supports.
FAT32 is not ideal for a variety of reasons (and only supports filesizes of up to 4GB) but reformatted cards work just fine on 3DS/3DSXL/n3DS/n3DSXL. I use a 64GB card, but I've seen 128GB work too.
The biggest problems for most people who have gone this road are quality (using obscure/cheap brands can run into quality control problems) and the full size SD adapter, which not only is incredibly cheap, but introduces a bunch of pin/looseness issues into the equation. By accepting only MicroSD I expect the n3DS/n3DSXL to be much more reliable in that sense as (a) you don't need an adapter and (b) it's held inside the bottom of the system rather than with an outside ejector.
should I go for a 32gb SDHC card in your opinion?
fact is: with the games I already have I'm about 30Gb....so a 32Gb card would do almost nothing for me..
thank you. what do you suggest me?
Crazymoogle
Member
I think 64GB is the best deal right now. 128GB is there but nearly $1/gb. So it depends what you can afford. But any Sandisk or Samsung Class 10 MicroSD is probably a good one. (I use a Samsung 64GB that was generally sold for Galaxy Note phones, but I have equal confidence in the new 128GB cards)
gameoverbro
Member
I have the Mh 4 new XL on preorder. I'm also upgrading my micro sd card so what I did was copied my old stuff on my PC and transferred it on my new micro sd card. Now it's in my 3ds xl with the micro card adapter so when I get the new 3ds all I'm doing is the PC transfer/change cards when it's done, and re-download the some games I have.
Nintendo's official guide says that transferring 4GB will take about 2 hours. It probably also largely depends on your internet speed.
Basileus777
Member
Yep, the licenses are stored on the system itself, not the card.
PotionBleue
Member
How long does the transfer usually take with the I already have a microSD card in my old 3DS method?
Alright, figured as much. Been considering getting a new 3DS and was thinking about selling my old one off in the process so good to know this stuff in advance.
Thanks
Thanks. I'll probably transfer to pc first then.
I'll add that I recently did a 3DS 4GB > New 3DS 4GB transfer and it only took like 40 minutes. I think I only had around 2GB of data to transfer.
Yeah I think I may do the same and re-download my content.
Anyone know if you can still re-download your ambassador games and certificate if you do it this way? I love my Ambassador Certificate LOL
.Still getting conflicted reports about the transfer process with a New 3DS + pre-installed software AND a larger than 4GB MicroSD Card.
One guide says that you will lose the MH4U license if you pop in a bigger MicroSD card before doing the transfer. Doesn't really make sense to me because the license should be tied to the system, and not the card, right?
Other guide says that you should copy the contents of the stock 4GB MicroSD in the New 3DS to the larger MicroSD card, and then do the transfer. License will carry over and you can redownload it once transfer is complete.
Obviously the best way to go about it is to start using the larger MicroSD in your old 3DS, then do the transfer and just switch around the cards when completed. But I kinda want to know what the alternative options are for my New 3DS launch guide
.
One guide says that you will lose the MH4U license if you pop in a bigger MicroSD card before doing the transfer. Doesn't really make sense to me because the license should be tied to the system, and not the card, right?
Other guide says that you should copy the contents of the stock 4GB MicroSD in the New 3DS to the larger MicroSD card, and then do the transfer. License will carry over and you can redownload it once transfer is complete.
Obviously the best way to go about it is to start using the larger MicroSD in your old 3DS, then do the transfer and just switch around the cards when completed. But I kinda want to know what the alternative options are for my New 3DS launch guide
.
diablos991
Can’t stump the diablos
Times like this make me glad I didn't install an aftermarket SD card into my 3DS XL.
Transferring licenses shouldn't be a hassle in store.
Transferring licenses shouldn't be a hassle in store.
that's what I gather. using a microSD card on your old 3DS will remove the need for a PC
so from the top and you'll be using "Copy via PC"
1. system transfer on both of your systems. Old 3DS is "send" and new 3DS is "receive"
2. start the system transfer on your old 3DS
3. say "no" when it asks if you're using an SD card or miniSD card because you're already using a microSD (in an SD card adapter) in your old 3DS
4. your stuff gets transferred then it'll ask you to put the microSD from your old 3DS and put it in your new system
I'll transfer it to pc first just to have a backup anyway and since there's not much data on it I'll do a full transfer to the new 3DS. Shouldn't take too long.
Crazymoogle
Member
Looks good.