Managing 3DS Saves: Using Checkpoint

[evandixon]

Checkpoint is a 3DS homebrew application that can backup and restore save files for 3DS cartridges, 3DS eShop titles (including GB and GBC virtual console), and NDS cartridges. This tutorial will walk you through its installation and usage.

Prerequisites

In order to use Checkpoint, you will first need access to CFW. A comprehensive guide on how to set it up can be found here. If you do not have what you need, you cannot use Checkpoint.

What you need

• A 3DS with CFW
• The latest version of Checkpoint. A mirror of the CIA version can be found here. A mirror of the 3DSX version can be found here.

Setup

If your CFW is Luma 3DS, then Rosalina makes it possible to use the Homebrew Launcher as an alternative to the CIA version. You cannot use Checkpoint with the Homebrew Launcher without Rosalina's Homebrew Launcher.

If you wish to use the CIA version:

1. Download the CIA version of Checkpoint and put it on your 3DS's SD card.
2. Use your CIA installer to install it

If you wish to use Rosalina's Homebrew Launcher:

1. Create the folder /3ds/Checkpoint on your 3DS's SD card if it does not already exist
2. Download the 3DSX version of Checkpoint and put it the folder you just created

When you are finished, you can proceed to the next step: Using Checkpoint

Instructions

Once you have installed Checkpoint, these steps will guide you through backing up and restoring save files. Once complete, any saves you back up will be located in /3ds/Checkpoint/saves on your 3DS's SD card.

1. (If you're backing up a cartridge save and not an eShop title) Insert your cartridge, and make sure the 3DS menu can see it. This is important because sometimes the system can't read the cartridge unless it's inserted just right.

2. Launch Checkpoint.

3. Use the DPad to select the game whose save you want to backup or restore. Then press A to select the game.

4. Use the DPad to select the save slot you wish to use (the selected slot has a blue background). If backing up the save, you can select "New..." to create a new slot. Be careful not to overwrite anything important.

5. Press either the Backup or Restore button on the touch screen.

6. Press "A" to confirm.

7. If you chose to create a new save slot, use the on-screen keyboard to give it a name, then press "OK".

8. If the save was exported correctly you should see a success message appear.

9. Your backup is complete. Exit Checkpoint, and your save should be located on your SD card under /3ds/Checkpoint/saves/(your game)/(your save slot).

10. MAKE A BACKUP OF THIS FILE BEFORE USING OR EDITING IT WITH ANY SAVE EDITORS.

EXTRA. Things to take note:
1. Your file in the folder MUST be named main
2. There cannot be other files in the same folder your import from (such as main.bak)

Credit to @NinFanBoyFTW for the screenshots.

View full tutorial

[Mizat]

Thanks, for the post I actually figured this all out by myseld last night and now trying to figure out how to exactly inject the PKhex files, as well as poke edit (the website) files. Wondering if I can inject pokemon into 4th Gen specifically Pearl and Platinum, specifically Poke Edit's files as they are older, aslo they have download of what seems to be the entire game. Idk need to look into it more. Also XY and ORAS I have all 4 and and under the impression you cannot attach items in XY? or you can it just doesn't look 100% legit but nobody would know if your just doing this for you self and maybe trade later? I wish Black and white and even the DS gen 4 games could link, the original games can link via the cored why shouldn't they beable to via wirless, should be an easy update to wireless component you would think. 

 

I guess just figure out thwere exactaly to put the files, because I can't imagine just dropping them in the dave and they are their? Or how to edit a pokemon already in your save? Not to worried about that but the knowledge can't hurt. Off to research, amd find a file with every event pokemon.

 

If anyone has tips or methods not involving QR codes message me or reply. My 2ds that has all CFW drom the offficial guide has no rear camereas, I fixed it, bought it broke on ebay. Sadly the day I went to hack one of my newer consoles they updated that day to 11.7 and 11.8 no time for seedminer at the second. Plus seems to be a long process ect. Non the less good post for people who were in my position last night, I for some reason was under the impression I could find the files if I just saved the game (im sure you could) and use check point but I was wrong and this is much easier to find them and back files up, especially for gen 4 games that the battery is about to go on. Big thatks to JK for making this possible and the creator or Checkpoint whom I don't know off the top of my head sorry

Edited August 15, 2018 by Mizat

[Jorje Ortiz]

Question, how can I make a save data for Pokemon Generation 3? I have the games on my 3ds, but when I open CheckPoint, it doesn't register. I'm confused.

[theSLAYER]

12 hours ago, Jorje Ortiz said:

Question, how can I make a save data for Pokemon Generation 3? I have the games on my 3ds, but when I open CheckPoint, it doesn't register. I'm confused.

Gen 3 games don't legally exist on the 3DS. I'm unsure if checkpoint handle these titles.

[AndesAndroid]

I created the backup, but when I went to the folder for the save slot, all I had was the file named "main" and the sav.dat like in the picture wasn't there. Is this normal? What do I do if it isn't?

[theSLAYER]

2 minutes ago, AndesAndroid said:

I created the backup, but when I went to the folder for the save slot, all I had was the file named "main" and the sav.dat like in the picture wasn't there. Is this normal? What do I do if it isn't?

sav.dat only applies for VC gen 1and gen 2. Upload the main for us to see.

[AndesAndroid]

1 minute ago, theSLAYER said:

sav.dat only applies for VC gen 1and gen 2. Upload the main for us to see.

Oh, my bad. Sorry, I'm incredibly new to this. Thanks though!

[theSLAYER]

Just now, AndesAndroid said:

Oh, my bad. Sorry, I'm incredibly new to this. Thanks though!

once again, upload the main for us to see.

[AndesAndroid]

1 minute ago, theSLAYER said:

once again, upload the main for us to see.

mainI think this is it?

[theSLAYER]

Just now, AndesAndroid said:

mainI think this is it?

Well, you presumably got the Ultra Sun save as you intended.
Just drag the main over PKHeX.

If you intend to edit the save, make sure you keep a save unedited save backup somewhere.

 

[AndesAndroid]

1 minute ago, theSLAYER said:

Well, you presumably got the Ultra Sun save as you intended.
Just drag the main over PKHeX.

If you intend to edit the save, make sure you keep a save unedited save backup somewhere.

 

Yeah, that's the right game. Thanks for the help!

[Darkcaliber]

hey guys i’m new in the community , so i just install checkpoint on my 3ds made a back up like in the pictures , but do i change it to main file? or do i just drag the save file from checkpoint into pkhex ??

[BlackShark]

The file you got from Checkpoint should already be a main file. Don't rename files or change their extension.

What kind of file did you get instead?

[Darkcaliber]

2 hours ago, BlackShark said:

The file you got from Checkpoint should already be a main file. Don't rename files or change their extension.

What kind of file did you get instead?

main file is what i got, another question, i see that someone uploaded a 807 shiny pokémon file how can i insert that file to my main file that i got from checkpoint ?

[theSLAYER]

3 hours ago, Darkcaliber said:

main file is what i got, another question, i see that someone uploaded a 807 shiny pokémon file how can i insert that file to my main file that i got from checkpoint ?

rename it into main, place it into a JKSM folder with main (keep a safe copy on your PC, then overwrite the one on your SD card).

[Darkcaliber]

33 minutes ago, theSLAYER said:

rename it into main, place it into a JKSM folder with main (keep a safe copy on your PC, then overwrite the one on your SD card).

can i do that but put the file back into checkpoint folder?

[theSLAYER]

Sorry, yeah some thing wiht checkpoint folder, but for both versions you need to have already dumped a save, then just replace that save.

(make sure you keep the dumped save safe on your computer, in case you need to revert or the import is corrupted)

[smoove melon]

Hey I am new to the modding area and I've recently downloaded a cfw to my 3ds. I used a .gba that was converted to a .cia file then loaded into my 3ds through fbi. The problem is that checkpoint (save manager) isn't recognizing the game, I've refreshed it and went into the game to save, still nothing. Was wondering if I could get some help on my situation. 

[theSLAYER]

Unless any other member is familiar with custom injects, that is out of our area of expertise.

 

[BlackShark]

The issue aren't VC injects. GBA saves aren't supported by Checkpoint yet. There's still an open feature request on their Github (here).
You can use GodMode9 to dump/restore GBA VC saves https://3ds.hacks.guide/godmode9-usage.html#backup-gba-vc-saves

[ShinyEntei]

Hello, is it normal that my checkpoint backup file is named POKEMON W.sav instead of "main" ? 

I'm using a physical copy, I Also would like to know if there is any risk with my physical game and if my original backup is still avalaible

EDIT: I can use pokehex on save, i havn't injected the save yet I don't know if it may cause problem to my game
 

Edited June 6, 2021 by ShinyEntei

[BlackShark]

The filename of your save doesn't really matter if it is not for the 3DS Pokemon games or meant to be used on emulators.

[theSLAYER]

* Except in the case that it is a VC save (or it's pretending to be a VC save).

PKHeX identifies a VC save via its save name sav.dat, and has it's legality checking tweaked for VC.
Any other save can be any other save name

[ShinyEntei]

9 hours ago, theSLAYER said:

* Except in the case that it is a VC save (or it's pretending to be a VC save).

PKHeX identifies a VC save via its save name sav.dat, and has it's legality checking tweaked for VC.
Any other save can be any other save name

What is a VC save ? I'm a complete neophyte 

[theSLAYER]

32 minutes ago, ShinyEntei said:

What is a VC save ? I'm a complete neophyte 

Virtual Console. Virtual Console games are a bunch of older games for older consoles re-released to be playable on the 3DS.
(Game Boy games, Game Boy Advance games, N64 games, etc)

In the context of our forums, when we refer to VC saves, we normally mean Gen 1 or Gen 2 Pokémon games.

Yes, the 3DS can play Pokémon Red, Blue, Yellow, Green, Gold, Silver, Crystal.
And an additional tidbit: the mons can be transferred up to Generation 7 and up.

The saves of those games are have the same data structures as their retail counterpart, hence why PKHeX needs to check the save name to ensure it has the correct legality checks.