If you have placed the file but Citra still claims the game is encrypted, check the following common pitfalls:
# Comments start with # slot0x11Key95 = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX # 32 hex chars slot0x25Key96 = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX slot0x18KeyX = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
No. If you have a decrypted ROM (typically .3ds or .cci that have been processed), Citra does not need the keys file. The aes_keys.txt is only for encrypted ROMs.
For Steam Deck users running Citra through EmuDeck: citra aes keystxt work
The server's logs showed one curious thing: an automated process running nightly named "keystxt-rotor" that had been dormant for years until a few days ago. Whoever bumped it new had done it quietly from an external IP that resolved to an old partner company nobody used anymore. The lines in keystxt were being updated at 00:07 UTC each night.
If you’ve ever tried to load a 3DS game in Citra and been met with a "The game is encrypted" error, you’ve likely come across the infamous aes_keys.txt
: It contains "common keys" and specific slot keys used by the 3DS system to verify and open game files (like .cia or .3ds files). If you have placed the file but Citra
Would you like a (with placeholder values) or a step-by-step guide to dumping keys from a 3DS using GodMode9?
The file must be named exactly aes_keys.txt (note the .txt extension). It should contain hex strings corresponding to the 3DS decryption keys. If the file is empty or formatted incorrectly, it will not work. 3. Placing the File Open your sysdata folder. Paste or create the aes_keys.txt file inside this folder. Restart Citra completely. Troubleshooting: Why aes_keys.txt Isn't Working
A 3DS console with custom firmware (CFW) installed. Tool: Use a tool like GodMode9 . For Steam Deck users running Citra through EmuDeck:
What are you using? (Windows, Android, Linux, etc.)
If you copy-pasted keys from a website or Discord, your text editor might have saved the file with a Byte Order Mark (BOM) or rich text formatting.