EZFlash IV Tutorial

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A Dirty Pirate's Guide for the Nintendo DS & EZFlash IV; an overview
quick and dirty step-by-step

What you'll need

  1. A computer with an Internet connection, optimally running Windows 2K/XP/2K3. This guide will be written assuming you are using Windows.
  2. A Nintendo Handheld Console.
    • A Nintendo DS ("DS Phat"), or Nintendo DS Lite, if you hope to play DS Games.
    • A Gameboy Advance, Gameboy Advance SP, or a Gameboy Advance Micro if you wish only to play GBA games.
  3. An EZFlash Flash Cart;
  4. The EZClient4 software - (2006-10-10)
    • Included in the EZClient4 software, the EZ4patch.dll (2006-11-30) is sometimes updated independently. Download this and use it to replace the file in the EZClient4 Zip.
  5. The EZ4Kernel - EZ4 Loader (2006-11-09)
  6. An SD card reader/writer;
    • An SD card writer will work with both miniSD and microSD with an adapter usually included with the memory card. This is suitable for all EZFlash models.If you don't know which one to get, get this one.
    • A miniSD card writer will work with miniSD cards natively, and microSD cards with an adapter. This is suitable for both products, but is best suited for the EZFlash IV Phat. microSD to miniSD adapters are easy to find.
    • A microSD|TransFlash card reader. This is suitable only for the three EZFlash IV Lite models.
    Important Note: There is a USB SD writer that is included with all versions of the EZ Flash IV, but NOT the bundle pack. It is not a miniSD or microSD writer. This is typically not a problem, as most miniSD/microSD|TF cards are not sold without SD adapters, but be aware of this.
  7. Removable flash memory;
    • A miniSD card if you have the EZFlash IV Phat.
      From left to right: SD, miniSD(EZ4 Phat), MicroSD (EZ4Lite models)
      [2GB:$5.49]
    • A microSD/Transflash card if you have the EZFlash IV Lite, EZFlash IV Deluxe, or EZFlash IV Compact. [1GB:$3.49 2GB:$4.39]
  8. A method of booting DS code from the GBA side of your Nintendo DS. This can include:
    • Certain wireless devices in conjunction with WiFiMe.
    • A PassMe/PassMe2 device or clone, such as EZPass2. This option also requires an authentic DS game.
    • A NoPass device. These devices do not require an authentic DS game.
      • An EZPass3. This is the official NoPass device for the EZFlash group of products. It supports sleep mode, as well.
      • A NinjaPass Media Launcher. Supports Sleep and EZFlash IV.
      • An MK4-Mini or an MK4-Key. These both support sleep and the EZFlash IV. The MK4-Mini has extra features.
  9. A replacement firmware for the Nintendo DS. This is optional, but recommended for most users. Replacing your firmware eliminates the need for a NoPass/PassMe, but requires a NoPass/PassMe to initialize it. See Wiki Article/Walkthrough, download below.
    • FlashMe - Replacement NDS firmware.
  10. A Stairway to Heaven.

Guide and Information

Differences between EZFlash IV models

There are currently four EZFlash IV devices out on the market.

  1. "EZFlash IV", also referred to as "EZFlash IV Phat". It is the same size as a GBA cartridge and uses miniSD cards for its main storage. Early on in its life cycle it was mistakenly referred to as the "EZFlash IV Lite miniSD Version" on winsunx.
  2. "EZFlash IV Lite", also referred to as "EZFlash IV Lite microSD/TF". It is slightly larger than the size of a Nintendo DSLite dust cover, roughly half the size of a GBA Cart. It fits nearly flush in the GBA slot of your NDS-Lite, and takes microSD/TransFlash cards. It is incompatible with GBA, GBA-SP, GBA Micro and Nintendo DS Phat. It will only fit in a NDS-Lite.
  3. "EZFlash IV Compact" This version is the same size as a NDS-Lite dust cover and fits flush with your NDS-Lite. Like the earlier EZFlash IV Lite, it is incompatible with everything except the NDS-Lite. It is slightly smaller than the earlier EZFlash IV Lite, making it fit more flushly with the NDS-Lite, and features a glossy oil coating on the outside of the cartridge that makes it look more alike the NDS-Lite unit. The Compact features less internal memory than previous EZFlash IV versions, making it cheaper and more affordable, and the end result making it able to only play NDS games, and having little to no GBA support.
  4. "EZFlash IV Deluxe", This version is the same size as the Compact, taking TransFlash/microSD cards. It is the same shell as the Compact, meaning it also features the glossy oil paint finish as your NDS-Lite dust cover, just like the compact. This version features, however, an increased amount of internal memory, making it ideal for homebrew and continued GBA support. This makes it slightly more costly, however.
  5. "EZFlash IV Bundle Pack", Not a separate version, but rather a bundled package of the EZFlash IV Deluxe and the EZPass3 (NoPass) device. It should be noted that this package is the only version of the EZFlash IV not to come with its own USB SD Card Reader, meaning you'll have to buy your own.

This guide will use "EZFlash IV" to refer to ALL versions of the card, as they both use the same internal software, and the process of adding roms and updating the carts will be the same, regardless of version. The only difference that you have to discern for yourself is that the EZFlash IV miniSD version uses miniSD carts, and the EZFlash IV Lite/Deluxe/Compact versions use microSD carts.

Explanation of 'PassMe' devices

Booting and using DS homebrew may seem a bit daunting at first, but it's fairly simple. The main reason you see a lot of products that "stick out" of the main console is this: DS games run encrypted, and GBA ones do not. This means that you can't just stick any old device into the DS slot on your NDS and expect it to run, because the authentication information will be missing. What does this mean? Early on in DS Homebrew Development, Slot-1 (DS Side) flash carts were not possible. There was a workaround, though, obviously. What a PassMe, PassMe2, or other clone device (e.g, EZPass2) will do, is use an authentic DS Cart (Such as Mario Kart) to authenticate to the DS, and then run unsigned, unencrypted code from your GBA cart. You can use this device to alter the way your DS sees a GBA cart, via Homebrew firmware, so you'll never need the PassMe again. So it is entirely possible to run DS games and programs without things that stick out of the console.

Do I need a PassMe device? Which one?

In short, not anymore, no.
The original passme (outdated)

The PassMe is just one method of booting unsigned code, See section 8 at top. Each one of these devices or methods are an alternative to the other, and all have their own benefits and drawbacks. The most popular method of booting unauthenticated code was by using a PassMe or PassMe2 device to flash your NDS' firmware to allow it to boot directly to DS mode from the GBA side. There is, however, a newer and better method out, "NoPass" devices- See section 8C at top.

What was the difference between PassMe/PassMe2?

It is of significant mention that both devices are mostly outdated, however, for informational purposes, The PassMe works with Nintendo DS firmware versions 1 through 3, and will work with any authentic DS cart you have laying around, and requires no special programming. The PassMe2 will work with any NDS firmware version, But requires being specially programmed to work with a specific original DS cart. If you would like to know which Firmware version your DS has, please see the links section below.

What's the NoPass?

The NoPass is the classification of a group of devices that allow you to boot homebrew code. This is the device which has made the PassMe/PassMe2 obsolete. A NoPass device is the exact same size and shape of an authentic DS cart, does not stick out from the console, does not require any extra programming, and does not require an authentic ("real") DS cart. Instead of faking authentication information with a real DS game, it supplies its own valid authentication information. This lets you boot code from the GBA slot in your DS without having anything sticking out of your DS. The EZPass3 is the EZTeam's own NoPass device, and is guaranteed to work with your EZFlash Product. For other NoPass devices on the market and compatibility information, please refer to the NoPass article.

What's the difference between all the different NoPass devices?

Check out the NoPass Article for a graphical comparison. The EZPass3, Ninjapass, MK4-KEY, and the Old version of SuperKey and PassCard3 are all roughly the same. They all support the
The MK4 Mini, used to run DS code without any additional software. Same size as DS slot, works on all versions.
EZFlash IV products and support sleep mode. Each company which manufactures carts has simply made their own brand so that it is easier for people to keep track of what's what. The only ones to really look out for are the MK4-Mini, which has some extra compatability features, and the MML which does NOT support sleep mode. The Old MML (Not currently for sale, unless you buy it used), and the New PassCard3 and New SuperKey are all incompatable with EZFlash IV. If you are looking for one to buy, I would go with the EZPass3/MK4-Key/NinjaPass -- whichever is cheapest for you to obtain, or get the MK4-Mini if its features appeal to you.

Do I need a retail game for DS, or not?

Not if you're using a NoPass.

You'll only need a retail game if you use a PassMe or PassMe2 (See sections 2.2-2.4). If you've heard you need a retail game to play homebrew code, you've heard people talking about the PassMe/PassMe2. Both of these devices can be used to flash your DS or load backups, but they've been largely outdated and forgotten in favor of the NoPass, Since the NoPass devices sit flush with the console, don't require any programming, don't need a retail cart, and by and large, make flashing your firmware completely optional.

Do I need to flash my DS' firmware, or not?

You don't need to. It's optional.

Flashing the firmware will eliminate the need for a PassMe/NoPass type device, and will boot homebrew all by itself. However, with the advent of the NoPass, having flashed firmware really wont speed up the process of launching homebrew, and won't improve aesthetics any. If you only have one DS device, there is really no reason to bother flashing your DS anymore.

A particularly useful application for flashing your DS however, is that if you own multiple DS systems, and only one PassMe/NoPass device, you can successfully set up all of your DS consoles to load homebrew, instead of buying a new PassMe/NoPass for each console.

In the past, it was the most popular option, because it eliminated the need for a PassMe/PassMe2/Other unsightly variant, but the PassMe is still needed to reflash the DS, Initially. Many people use the PassMe/PassMe2 only once before reselling it, or watching it collect cobwebs in the corner. Either way, you're going to need a method of running GBA code in DS mode, so you'll need a PassMe or NoPass at least once, so you're not going to save yourself time or money by flashing your DS.

If I can just use a NoPass (e.g, EZPass3) to launch code, what benefit does the FlashMe firmware hold, and why does everyone use it?

Not much. See section 2.6, It's most useful if you own multiple consoles, or if you're a console developer. A lot of the older people in the scene have flashed DS systems since in the past there weren't as many affordable flush-fit flash cart solutions available, but they're readily available now, so there isn't too much benefit to flashing your DS anymore.

The other benefit to the FlashMe firmware is that if your DS gets bricked (god forbid), the FlashMe has a built in recovery method. The FlashMe firmware also supports sleep mode, while some older NoPass devices, such as the MML, do not. All modern NoPass devices support sleep mode, but check the NoPass article for detailed compatibility information.


....Bricked?

Bricked, Bricking, or Brick, are terms that refer to making a piece of electronics equipment inoperable, effectively turning it into a 'brick'. When people refer to their NDS units being bricked, this is typically because the firmware has either been deleted, failed to write, or is otherwise corrupted.

There was some bad code released a long time ago to thwart rampant pirating. It basically deletes your firmware. With stock firmware, it would take a bit of soldering magic and a reflashing program to fix it. The process of rescuing your DS is much easier with the FlashMe firmware, although the odds of running into bricker code nowadays is very rare, almost none. If you are worried about it however, there are utilities that exist that will scan your image to make sure it is clean. These were released claiming they were romloaders (do not download these if you see them, they won't work with an EZ4/EZ3 anyways) or hentai viewers (naughty Japanese pictures). I wouldn't think anyone reading this indulges in it anyway.. Right?

Do I have to take apart my NDS to flash the firmware?

Not really. You will have to unscrew the battery cover. The FlashMe firmware updating program will have you jumper a contact so that it can write to the firmware. This will void your warranty. If you don't want to flash your DS for precisely this reason, you can instead use a NoPass device to just boot code from the GBA cart everytime.

What's the recommended way to initialize my DS, then?

Buy an EZPass3 from Winsunx. (20$). Insert it into Slot-1. Tada! Ready for homebrew devices. OR: buy a self initializing cart such as Ninjapass X9TF, DS-XTREME, or the EZV when it releases.

NDS programs and Roms are different, right?

Sort of. NDS roms must be patched before use on a GBA cart. Why? Because you're running them as a GBA game in NDS mode, so there are a few changes the cart must make before it's really playable, because the game needs to look for data on the GBA cart instead of the NDS one. For a list of supported games and known issues, check out this compatability list. NDS programs (.nds.gba/.ds.gba type) should run without additional patching, because those are designed to run from the GBA slot anyway.

Hardware discrepancies

This is the most important section. Everyone runs code differently. Some with a NoPass, some with PassMe1, some with PassMe2, some with WiFiMe, some with different region NDSs, some with different firmwares. there are a vast combination of hardwares and softwares to choose from to run homebrew. This creates a big compatability question: what do I need to run homebrew code? Well.. It's hard to tell. Some devices appear to support some programs, some not. Which ones support which is.. really anyone's guess. The NoPass device you choose, The Firmware you have, the patcher you use, and the flashcart you use can all affect how you run code, and not every combination of devices and software has been thoroughly tested. The EZPass3 should work with just about any configuration you can think up with an EZFlash IV, but this cannot be guaranteed.

I've written this guide partial to the EZPass3, but it may not work for what you need it for. Please keep this in mind. There are a variety of devices that allow you to run code, the EZPass3 is just one. Please visit the EZFlash Forums often for "up-to-the-minute" compatability topics concerning differences between NDS/NDS-Lite, EZFlash IV/EZFlash IV Lite/EZFlash IV Deluxe/EZFlash IV Compact, NDS firmware/FlashMe firmware, MML/PassCard3/SuperKey/MK4-Mini|MK4-Key/NinjaPass/EZPass3, and more.

Quick and Dirty step by step

I read absolutely nothing you just said. Help me play roms on my DS!
I don't condone rampant piracy. Please buy the games you wish to play, Nintendo has done an amazing job with this console and I feel they deserve our money for these great games. I do however understand the tempting convenience of having all your favorite games on one cart, so here we go.

Method 1a: "Soft Mod" for Nintendo DS-Lite

Soft Mod means that at no point do you modify your NDS in any physical way, or void your warranty.


  1. Purchase either the EZFlash IV Compact and an EZPass3 (USD $40.56), OR an EZFlash IV Deluxe Bundle [White|Coral|Onyx|Navy|Ice] (Which includes the EZPass3.) (USD $50.34) OR the EZFlash IV Deluxe Bundle Plus 1GB microSD card [White|Onyx|Coral|Navy|Ice] (USD $91.99.) Refer to the Q&A section 2.1 above for info on which one you want.
  2. Purchase a microSD (TransFlash) memory card. If you bought the EZ4 Bundle+1GB microSD from winsunx (the $91.99 package), you can skip this step. Otherwise, shop on! From Newegg: [128MB:$6.99 256MB:$9.49 512MB:$13.99 1GB:$25.99 2GB:$83.99].
  3. If you purchased the EZFlash IV Deluxe Bundle pack (with or without the 1GB microSD), purchase an SD card reader. If you bought the EZFlash IV Compact, you can skip this step. From Newegg; USB SD Card Reader for USD $4.99.
  4. Plug in your microSD card to your microSD->SD adapter (Typically included with microSD), and insert the card into your SD card reader on your computer. Make note of the drive letter windows gives to the drive. (For example, mine is set to X:\.)
  5. Open "My Computer" on your desktop or start menu, and right click on your card drive. Click 'Format'. Choose FAT (not FAT32) Formatting and click OK.
  6. Download the newest EZ4 Kernel. (Official Update Thread) You'll need to extract the "ezfla_up.bin" file from this archive.
  7. Copy the EZ4 Kernel file, "ezfla_up.bin" to the root (top) directory of your microSD card. Do not use the EZ4 Client to do this.
  8. Remove the microSD card and insert into your EZFlash IV. Insert into your DSLite *without* the EZPass3.
  9. Hold the R trigger as you turn on your DSLite. If you have your DS set to go to the menu before running a game, you'll need to choose 'Start GBA Game'. Hold the R button down until you see the kernel updating process begin. Do not turn the power off until the update process reaches 100%. It should reset by itself when finished.
  10. Reinsert your microSD card to your computer, and delete the "ezfla_up.bin" file from the card.
  11. Download the EZ4Client software. Extract the .zip to any location.
  12. Open the EZ4 software, click 'Config', and change the "Send Path" to your microSD Card's path. (e.g, "X:\DS\")
  13. Click 'Open' to select your NDS file. (Note: I will not be providing links to these for obvious legal reasons.)
  14. Click 'Send' to write it to your card. It is necessary to move the roms/programs to the card in this manner so that EZ4 Client may patch it accordingly. Do not just drag and drop backups from your computer to the card. They will not work properly.
  15. Remove the microSD card from your PC and insert it into your EZFlash IV cart, and insert the cart into the GBA side of your NDS.
  16. Insert the NoPass into the DS side of your NDS.
  17. Power on the DS! It will show the NDS logo and warning screen, and then will boot to your EZFlash IV. From there, just select the game or file you wish to play.

• If the above does not work for you, please visit the forums and be as detailed as possible.

Method 1b: "Soft Mod" for Nintendo DS-Phat

Most steps are the same as Method 1a. above, with a few exceptions;

  1. Purchase the EZFlash IV "Phat", and an EZPass3 (USD $48.66).
  2. Purchase a miniSD card. (Not a microSD.) From Newegg: [512MB:$7.99 1GB:$7.75 2GB:$13.99]
  3. Follow steps 4-17 as seen above in Method 1a, replacing all occurrences of "microSD" with "miniSD", and all instances of "NDS-Lite" with "NDS". It is the same procedure otherwise.

• And as always, if the above steps do not work for you, please visit the forums and be as detailed as possible.

Method 1c: "Soft Mod" for Nintendo Game Boy Advance, GBA-SP, and GBA Micro

Slight differences in this method. We don't need an EZPass3, but we lose the ability to play any NDS games or homebrew. This is GBA Only!

  1. Buy the EZFlash IV 'Phat'.
  2. Purchase a miniSD. From Newegg: [512MB:$7.99 1GB:$7.75 2GB:$13.99]
  3. Plug in your miniSD card to your miniSD->SD adapter (Typically included with miniSD), and insert the card into your SD card reader on your computer. Make note of the drive letter windows gives to the drive. (For example, mine is set to X:\.)
  4. Open "My Computer" on your desktop or start menu, and right click on your card drive. Click 'Format'. Choose FAT (not FAT32) Formatting and click OK.
  5. Download the newest EZ4 Kernel. (Official Update Thread) You'll need to extract the "ezfla_up.bin" file from this archive.
  6. Copy the EZ4 Kernel file, "ezfla_up.bin" to the root (top) directory of your miniSD card. Do not use the EZ4 Client to do this.
  7. Remove the miniSD card and insert into your EZFlash IV. Insert into your GBA.
  8. Hold the R trigger as you turn on your GBA. Hold the R button down until you see the kernel updating process begin. Do not turn the power off until the update process reaches 100%. It should reset by itself when finished.
  9. Reinsert your miniSD card to your computer, and delete the "ezfla_up.bin" file from the card.
  10. Download the EZ4Client software. Extract the .zip to any location.
  11. Open the EZ4 software, click 'Config', and change the "Send Path" to your miniSD Card's path. (e.g, "X:\GBA\")
  12. Click 'Open' to select your GBA file. (Note: I will not be providing links to these for obvious legal reasons.)
  13. Click 'Send' to write it to your card. It is necessary to move the roms/programs to the card in this manner so that EZ4 Client may patch it accordingly. Do not just drag and drop backups from your computer to the card. They will not work properly.
  14. Remove the miniSD card from your PC and insert it into your EZFlash IV cart, and insert the cart into your GBA.
  15. Power on the GBA! It will boot to your EZFlash IV menu. From there, just select the game or file you wish to play.

• Once again; if the above steps do not work for you, please visit forums and be as detailed as possible.

Method 2: "Hard Mod" for Nintendo DS-Lite/DS-Phat

Coming Soon. Eventually.

Common Problems, Cautions and Workarounds

  • language. if your cart came in chinese you can change it to english. power on, go to the penultimate icon, press A twice. on the next screen, press A on the 1st option. now select english and press A again.
  • MML does not support the sleep function. Do not close your DS while powered on. Game may reawaken desynched. There is a way to 'enable' the sleep function on an MML, but requires a steady hand. You'll need to short, jumper, or connect, pins #1 and #7 on the cart. This can be accomplished by opening it up and soldering, or by using tinfoil. Images <a href="../img/chips.jpg">here</a> and here.
  • EZFlash IV has a battery that it uses to save. When you save in game, it saves to a temporary memory, kept alive by this battery. If the battery dies, game functionality wont cease, but your progress since last boot will vanish every time you power off the DS. Do not overcharge the battery, it will die. If you do kill the battery, the battery you need for the EZFlash IV 'Phat' is a Panasonic VL2020. It is a 3volt, 20mAh battery with soldering pins. The EZFlash IV Lite models all use a similar 3v, 20mAh battery, but with smaller dimensions.
  • Certain GBA games that have flash saver types need to be patched with GBATA instead of the EZFlash IV client. Chu Chu Rocket is currently one such game.***
  • GBA games that are 32MB (256mbit) when selected from the file list will need to be loaded into NOR memory before you can run them. This is simply accomplished by selecting the 32MB rom in your file list (in gba mode) like any other game. The software will copy it to NOR memory for you. It will take a while. Games smaller than 32MB will not need to be copied. When the rom is transferred, it will be renamed to that rom's internal name. For instance, "Riviera - The Promised Land.gba" will become "Riviera.gba" in NOR memory. This does not apply to NDS games.***
  • The EZFlash IV can not, at time of writing, create its own files. This means that in order for a game to save properly, it needs a "placeholder" save file. The EZFlash IV client currently takes care of this.
  • A combination of the last two entries. When the EZFlash IV program renames 32MB carts to the internal name when moved to NOR memory, it doesn't create a placeholder save file. You will need to rename "Riviera - The Promised Land.sav" in "X:\Saver" to "Riviera.sav" for the NOR memory game to be able to function correctly.***
  • There is no Real Time Clock (RTC) in the EZFlash IV. This affects games like Pokemon. They will need to be patched with GBATA to run correctly.
  • Please make sure your file extensions are correct. All gba games and programs must end with ".gba", and all NDS games must end with ".nds". NDS programs that have been patched to run from the gba side, (Typically .ds.gba/.nds.gba) should retain those filenames. Certain programs will need to be named .bin to operate correctly, such as the ezfla_up.bin file. flashme.nds will also need to be renamed flashme.bin to operate correctly.***
  • Erasing NOR Memory: If you boot into your cart in GBA mode, press select while highlighting the rom in NOR memory, and the software will offer to delete it. Older versions of the EZFlash IV operating software do not have this feature.
  • Formatting NOR Memory:
  • Running GBA games on the EZFlash IV Compact:
  • EZFlash IV lite Compact will only work on NDS in NDS mode, you need a EzPass card to boot into NDS mode before you can run GBA games. the .Gba extension must be renamed to .Bin. and, you may need a firmware update, as only new firmware supports Gameboy Advance games
***Need confirmation on latest versions.

Resources/Links

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