FAQ AND LINK RESOURCE FOR ACNL HACKS
The Animal Crossing hacks have been all over Tumblr, and I see MANY people asking other users about it, and since I know a fair amount and have collected a fair number of resources, I thought I’d make a sort of masterpost for the hacks! I put everything in a read-more so any reblogs will link to the updated version, allowing me to add questions as they’re asked and links as they’re uploaded. Reblogs are appreciated so everyone can have access to these resources!
General FAQ
What can I do with these hacks? You can do pretty much anything! Moving buildings, placing items, changing villagers, unlocking PWP projects, maxing out your bank account, changing your town map layout and watering all your flowers are some of the easier stuff to do, but if you have some coding know-how, you can go as far as editing your face, changing your name/town name, or changing your villagers’ wake-up time, to name a few things!
Can I mess up my game card/download by using these hacks? No! Make a backup of your original save file and keep it in a safe place, and you’ll be fine – you can corrupt your save file if you aren’t careful, but it is easy to restore from a backup! These hacks are using the game’s RAM file (call it ‘save data’) to edit things, so nothing is permanent until you save, and even after you save, by injecting a backup save file, you can revert all changes.
What system firmware can I use these hacks on/how can I check my firmware? 9.x - 9.5.0-22 work! 9.5.0-23 does not. You can check your firmware version in the system settings, on the top screen in the bottom right-hand corner! It should be in the format #.#.#-##X with X being your region code.
I have 9.5.0-23, is there a way to downgrade/use the hacks? Currently it is impossible to downgrade or use the hacks, so you either need to find a DS with an exploitable firmware, or wait for the (hopeful) release of an new exploit to use the hacks with/a way to downgrade.
What region(s) do these hacks work for? Every region should work!
Can I use these hacks on a 2DS/New3DS? The 2DS works fine with any of these hacks (it’s what I use) but the New3DS will not work! The only reason a 2DS would not work is if it has been updated.
Can/how do I use these hacks on a digital download? Yes! It works in exactly the same way as a physical cart does.
I have multiple copies of Animal Crossing, will these hacks affect any other copies? The hacks are accessing and editing the system RAM – the data the system is using to keep track of your save on the game you currently have open. This is why you must have Animal Crossing logged in with a character to run these, and also why these hacks will not affect any other save files (digital or physical copies) and why these hacks are not permanent until you save your game!
Why won’t these hacks work for me? First off, you need to check your firmware version. If you’re on a version that can use the hacks, then make sure you’re following the instructions step-by-step. Try clearing your browser cookies and history, and make sure you’re using these hacks as your mayor. (LeafTools that affect things like bank accounts will only apply to your mayor!) I will be answering questions about hacking on this tag, so you can check it, and send me an ask if you still can’t resolve your problems.
You mentioned editing your mayor’s face/name/town name, how can I do that? First off, you will have to be comfortable working in hex code. If you are. I’ve included links below to get you started! Be warned, it is a lot easier to mess up your save file while editing the hex code (obviously), so be ready for some trial-and-error, because everyone is still figuring everything out!
RAM Editor FAQ
How do the building coordinates work? Generally, the coordinates refer to the space in front of the door for a building, and the space the PWP is on for 1 space PWP (multi-space PWP you have to play with). Looking at the map in the RAM editor, the top-left coordinate is 16, 16. If you counted 15 to the left and 20 down, to place a building’s entrance there, you’d set it’s coordinates as 31, 36.
Can/how do I place objects in ‘invalid’ places/in general? Trees and bushes, among other things, have some restrictions on where they can be. But, if you pull up the object in RAM editor, you can place them wherever. To place an object, you open RAM editor with your save file, go to the selection box where it says “Current item:” and either scroll through and select an item, or push the search to the left and type in an item (and double click a result to select it). Then you just click where you’d like the item, whether it’s in a ‘valid’ place or not! (Remember: objects in front of doors and things that seem dumb like that are dumb and will break your game.)
LeafTools FAQ
How do I scan a QR code? Press your home button, push your L + R buttons, which opens the camera, then press the checkered icon on the bottom screen. Line up the boxes with the QR code, and let it open the web address!
For the building seeder, how do I find the hex code of a building/PWP/convert it to a bell value? Here is a list of all the hex codes! To figure out the number of bells to have in your inventory, find the hex code of the building – say I wanted the modern clock (B9). Count how far into the alphabet B is (2) and add 9, giving you 11,000 bells in the first slot, and 9,000 bells in the second. Another example is BC, the street lamp. 2 + 9 = 11k in the first slot, 3 + 9 = 12k in the second slot.
General Links
Another Guide/Masterpost about Hacking
Information on the risks of hacking and troubleshooting steps
My hacking tag (for asks and informative posts)
Links for LeafTools
LeafTools - some pre-fabricated hacks including unboxing residents, maxing your bank account and medals, making everything grassy, and unlocking PWP.
Walkthrough of LeafTools (v1/FAQ post)
Video walkthrough of LeafTools
Links for RAM Editing
RAM editor and save dumper/injector - the RAM editor allows you to edit a dumped save to move buildings, change residents, and edit items and inventories. The save dumper and injector allows you to dump saves for editing purposes, as well as inject edited saves. (Direct link to the RAM editor)
Walkthrough of dumping and injecting RAM files
Video walkthrough of the RAM editor
Walkthrough of the RAM editor
Placing patterns with the RAM editor
Switching villagers with the RAM editor
Links for the Map Editor
ACNL MapEditor - Windows only, Mac/Linux need to emulate Windows or run with WINE. It’s my upload because the original link was dead, and also some people were having trouble with un-zipping it.
Walkthrough of the map editor
Things to remember when editing your map
Links for Hex Editing
What I use for editing: Windows | Mac
A spreadsheet of all known information
A guide to hex editing
Character appearance
Villager wake-up times/personality types
House exteriors
Room sizes/walls/floors (and more info)
Native (town) fruit
Town/character names (and my guide) (for Japanese names and games)
Villager catchphrases
Past villager data
Villager clothing
Town tree size
Grass pattern
Tan levels
If you know of something to add to this, please send me an ask/submit a link to my submit box! Also, any questions about hacking can be sent there too. Ask Box | Submit | Hacking Tag
