To use DSi mode in melonDS , you must have a nand.bin file, which is a dump of the Nintendo DSi's internal flash memory. While standard DS games can run without external files in newer versions of melonDS, DSi emulation strictly requires a valid NAND, BIOS, and firmware. 1. Requirements for DSi Mode
To fully enable DSi features, you need the following four files: DSi ARM9 BIOS: dsi_bios9.bin (64KB) DSi ARM7 BIOS: dsi_bios7.bin (64KB) DSi Firmware: dsi_firmware.bin (128KB) DSi NAND image: nand.bin (approx. 240MB) 2. How to Obtain nand.bin
The only official way to get this file is to dump it from your own physical Nintendo DSi console using a homebrew tool.
Download dumpTool: Place the .nds file on your DSi's SD card.
Run the Dump: Launch dumpTool on your DSi. Press A to start the NAND backup.
Retrieve the File: Once complete (about 7 minutes), power off and check your SD card. The file will be in a folder named DT###### as nand.bin. 3. Setting Up in melonDS
Once you have the file, follow these steps to configure the emulator:
To enable full Nintendo DSi emulation in file is a critical component. It acts as a raw dump of your DSi's internal flash memory, containing the system menu, installed DSiWare, and encrypted console-specific data. Understanding the nand.bin Requirement nand.bin melonds
While standard Nintendo DS games only require the ARM9/ARM7 BIOS and firmware, DSi-specific features and require a valid NAND dump. Console Decryption
file includes a "footer" containing vital information like the Console ID, which melonDS uses to decrypt the NAND contents.
: On a real DSi, this memory stores photos, settings, and apps. In melonDS, it allows you to boot directly into the DSi Home Menu. How to Set Up DSi Mode in melonDS Gather Required Files DSi ARM9 BIOS (typically bios9i.bin DSi ARM7 BIOS (typically bios7i.bin DSi Firmware firmware.bin Configure melonDS Open melonDS and navigate to Emu settings Point the file paths to each of your dumped files. : Ensure your DSi ARM9 BIOS is the correct size; using a 4KB DS-mode BIOS will cause errors. Booting the Menu Boot Firmware and select to launch the actual DSi system menu. Tips for Troubleshooting File Naming
: In standalone melonDS, file names aren't strictly enforced as long as you link them in settings. However, if using the melonDS DS core for RetroArch , you must strictly follow their naming conventions (e.g., dsi_nand.bin Read-Only Mode : It is often recommended to initialize the NAND as
in advanced setups to prevent data corruption during casual play. Permissions
: If your settings or NAND changes aren't saving, ensure melonDS is installed in a protected directory like C:\Program Files , which can block the creation of necessary or save files. Do you need help dumping these files
from your physical hardware, or are you looking for a guide on installing DSiWare to your NAND? Japanese Nintendo DSi Dump Issues - melonDS board To use DSi mode in melonDS , you must have a nand
file is a critical component for emulating the Nintendo DSi within the
emulator. While standard Nintendo DS games can often run without external system files in modern versions of melonDS, DSi-specific features and DSiWare games require this file to function.
file is a raw dump of the Nintendo DSi's internal flash memory. It contains the console's operating system, system settings, and installed applications like DSiWare. Essential Requirements
effectively for DSi emulation, you generally need the following accompanying files: DSi ARM9 BIOS DSi ARM7 BIOS DSi Firmware DSi NAND image (~240MB, typically named Benefits of Using the DS and DSi Bios Files of #MelonDS | #NDS + #DSi Menu
Here’s a short, informative piece of content explaining nand.bin in the context of melonDS, aimed at users who want to run DS titles or DSi-enhanced features.
| Issue | Likely fix |
|-------|-------------|
| “NAND not found” | Wrong file path or DSi mode not enabled. |
| Black screen after DSi logo | Corrupt or incomplete NAND dump. Redump from console. |
| Can’t save DSi settings | Check write permissions for the folder containing nand.bin. |
.nds ROMs) → No. melonDS works without nand.bin using DS firmware (bios7.bin, bios9.bin, firmware.bin).nand.bin from a real DSi console.nand.bin file in melonDS’s nand folder (or any location you prefer).nand.bin.dsi_nand_boot.bin (the DSi boot ROM) for full functionality.You will need:
Steps:
nand_dump.nds file to your SD card's root directory.nand.bin".nand.bin file to MelonDS's configuration folder.nand.bin is a raw binary dump of the NAND flash memory from a physical Nintendo DSi (or, in some limited cases, a Nintendo DS). In the context of melonDS, this file serves as a virtual hard drive for the emulated console.
To understand its purpose, you must first understand the difference between the Nintendo DS and the Nintendo DSi:
When you play a standard DS game in melonDS with “DSi mode” disabled, the emulator only needs a basic firmware dump (bios7.bin, bios9.bin, and firmware.bin). But when you enable DSi Mode (required for DSi-exclusive games or enhanced features like the faster CPU), melonDS becomes a full DSi emulator. It expects to boot from a copy of the DSi’s NAND. That copy is nand.bin.
Earlier emulators (and melonDS in its earlier versions) focused primarily on the Nintendo DS (the original "phat" and Lite models). These consoles had very minimal firmware requirements. However, the Nintendo DSi was a significant hardware revision featuring a different processor architecture, an SD card slot, and a robust internal OS.
To emulate the DSi accurately, melonDS cannot simply simulate the hardware; it needs the actual software that ran on that hardware. The nand.bin provides:
dsi_nand_boot.bin. Extract it from your DSi as well.