By default, Citra creates a user directory in your system's local application data folder to store configurations, shader caches, save files, and keys. If you move the Citra executable to another computer, it will look for that local folder, failing to find your data.
CitraPortable/user/sysdata/aes_keys.txt 5. Launch Citra
Inside user , create a folder named sysdata if it doesn't already exist .
slot0x2CKeyX = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX slot0x25KeyX = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX slot0x18KeyX = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX slot0x1BKeyX = XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Use code with caution.
Open the keys.txt file using a standard text editor like Notepad. The file requires a specific format to map the encryption keys to their respective slot indices. A standard 3DS AES keys file typically looks like this:
For Citra to accurately emulate the 3DS boot process, decrypt game archives, or read certain save files, it requires these unique keys. Without them, the emulator essentially lacks the "password" to read the raw data the way a real 3DS would.
: These keys are proprietary to Nintendo. Users are legally expected to dump them from their own physical 3DS hardware using tools like GodMode9 .
Open the aes_keys.txt file with any text editor like Notepad or Notepad++.
However, the most common format used by the community and early Citra builds mapped specific slots:
Citra's official documentation explicitly states that it cannot provide these keys due to legal reasons. You need to acquire them yourself.
: Standard keys for decrypting shared system data. Ticket Keys : Essential for installing encrypted .cia files. Setting Up Citra Portable
