Once the script finishes, turn off your 3DS. Take your SD card out and insert it into your PC. Navigate to the /gm9/ folder on the SD card. Inside, you will find a newly generated file named aes_keys.txt .
Alternatively, navigate directly to [3:] SYSNAND VIRTUAL .
: Press Win + R , type %appdata%\Citra\sys , and hit Enter. Linux : Navigate to ~/.local/share/citra-emu/sys/ . Citra Aes Keys.txt
Understanding Citra AES Keys: The Ultimate Guide to 3DS Emulation
The specific subfolder within Citra's directory where cryptographic keys must be stored. Once the script finishes, turn off your 3DS
This file is not a mod, a patch, or a ROM. It is a foundational cryptographic component. Without it, Citra is essentially a car with no engine. This article provides a comprehensive deep-dive into what citra aes keys.txt is, why your emulator needs it, how to legally obtain it, and what its future looks like following Citra's legal shutdown.
: Alternatively, many users avoid the need for these keys entirely by using decrypted ROMs . Decrypted files have already had the security layer removed and will run in Citra without an aes_keys.txt file. Inside, you will find a newly generated file named aes_keys
To help tailor this setup for your specific needs, let me know: What are you currently using to run Citra?
Even with the file present, you may occasionally encounter errors. Here are the standard solutions to common issues:
These keys are copyrighted intellectual property of Nintendo. The keys must be dumped from your own 3DS console using custom firmware (like GodMode9). Distributing or downloading pre-made aes_keys.txt files is illegal and violates copyright laws. How to Obtain Your AES Keys
Downloading keys from random websites carries a minor security risk (though text files generally can't execute malware, malicious HTML redirects can occur). More importantly, distributing these keys violates Nintendo's copyright, though end-users downloading them for personal use exist in a legal gray area.