How to Mod a Nintendo DS with an R4 Flashcart

Last Updated: December 4, 2023

Your Nintendo DS can do a lot of things out of the box. It can play DS games, as well as Game Boy Advance (GBA) games. It can download demos from download stations at places like Best Buy, and you can chat with friends in the same room. It can even play music, videos, display text files, and much more! But if you want to take full advantage of the DS, you may want to mod it. That’s where we come in! Read on to learn everything you need to know about modding a DS with an R4 flashcart.

1

Buy a flashcart.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/69\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-1.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

They are not sold in stores, but they are not illegal as sold (apart from in the UK where the were ruled illegal as of 28th July 2010). You can find them on the official web site, or you can search online for other online stores which have them available.

2

Update the firmware.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/39\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-2.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

At the time of this writing, the latest version is 1.18 which was last updated in 2008. There is a third party R4 DS firmware available called WoodR4, which offers better features and greater compatibility with all homebrew games, apps, and emulators. The R4 may not ship with the latest firmware. You can find the download pretty easily just by using Google.

3

Connect the card.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/68\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-3.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

The R4 comes with a microSD to USB adapter which is very nice. If you have a memory card reader, use the SD adapter that comes with most microSD cards. In a pinch, put the memory card in a compatible phone and connect the phone to the computer.

4

Unpack the file.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0c\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-4.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Unpack the contents of this archive to the root directory of your microSD card.

5

Confirm it works.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/fa\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-5.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

That should be all it takes. Remove whatever game may be in your DS' Slot-1, insert the R4, and insert the microSD card into the R4. There is only one way it can go, and it will most likely be the way you don't expect. It does not matter in what order you do this - you could also put the microSD card into the R4 and then put the R4 in the DS. (A clever individual can remove the microSD card from the R4 while the R4 is in the DS, but it's a tight area.)

6

Turn the DS on.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-6.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-6.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/21\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-6.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-6.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Don’t touch the screen to confirm, the R4 should take over. The default DS menu, if it was enabled (it is by default), will be bypassed, and the R4 menu will load. You will get three choices. The first one, Game, will allow you to load a .NDS file (a DS ROM, or a homebrew application - .NDS is to your DS what .EXE is to your Windows computer). The second one, Media, will allow you to play multimedia - music, video, text - using the Moonshell OS. The third one, Slot-2, will allow you to boot a Slot-2 (Game Boy Advance) game.

7

Download some fresh content.

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-7.jpg\/v4-460px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-7.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-7.jpg\/aid234286-v4-728px-Mod-a-Nintendo-DS-with-an-R4-Flashcart-Step-7.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":305,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":482,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Fair_use\">Fair Use<\/a> (screenshot)<br>\n<\/p><\/div>"}

See the list linked under references for the compatibility guide - anything with a green square behind R4 is a go!

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I make a R4 card?

Abbey M.

Community Answer

Creating one yourself is dangerous, as it may damage your DS/DS Lite. Save your money and buy one from Amazon.com or eBay instead.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 12
Question

Can I do this on the D.S. with an R4?

Community Answer

Yes, you can. You may have to adjust the steps slightly, but you will be able to do it.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
Question

How likely is it that this will break my DS? I really want to, but I'm kind of scared.

Liam D

Community Answer

If you get a good card, it should be fine. Since it works like a real card, it is highly unlikely that the DS will break.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Chinese language R4 cards are not compatible with the English language firmware. If you are getting an error message, make sure that you're using the correct firmware.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
There are thousands of homebrew and freeware games, applications and emulators for the R4 which enable you to play classic and retro games, as well as to watch movies, listen to music and turn your hand held system in to an eBook reader.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
"With great power, comes great responsibility." The R4 lets you play downloaded games. This does not mean you should stop buying them. Support the companies that entertain you, as you are able.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Putting music and video on your Nintendo DS carries the same legal repercussions as putting music and video on your MP3 player or computer. Be aware of copyright status of all media before downloading or placing it onto your DS. Remember, only that which has been released to the public domain is legal to download/distribute freely.

Thanks
Helpful 12 Not Helpful 5
DO NOT remove the R4 from the DS, or the microSD card from the R4, while the DS is running. This includes sleep mode, so either open the DS or watch for the blinking light. If you took the card out while it was in sleep mode, you can't just put it back in. Shut it down. If you hadn't saved, consider progress lost.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0
The same goes for DS games. While the R4 can play NDS ROMs, it is clearly illegal to do so unless you own the original game and ripped it yourself. Even then, the legality is unclear. To be safe, stick with homebrew software and multimedia you have the right to copy to devices.

Thanks
Helpful 2 Not Helpful 0
You may have heard of "bricking", or things that can irreparably damage your DS. The R4 does have the capability, technically, but the danger is largely overrated. Only two applications were created with the potential to do so, and it was apparently done as a proof-of-concept. Still, the potential is there, so only use homebrew from trusted sites.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
The R4 and homebrew scene is not perfect. Do not expect the same level of quality in DS homebrew as you find in DS games/programs authorized by Nintendo. Some have it, most do not. Sometimes something may go wrong, but all is not lost - just power off the DS and boot it back up.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

Things You'll Need

A Nintendo DS or Nintendo DS Lite
An R4 flashcart
One or more microSD/Transflash memory cards
A computer
microSD/Transflash memory card reader

Log in

How to Mod a Nintendo DS with an R4 Flashcart

Steps

Buy a flashcart.

Update the firmware.

Connect the card.

Unpack the file.

Confirm it works.

Turn the DS on.

Download some fresh content.

Community Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

About This Article

Did this article help you?

About This Article

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories