Installing the 1.2 update for Pokémon Ultra Sun is essential for accessing online features, fixing game-breaking glitches, and ensuring compatibility with modern mods. If you are using a 3DS with custom firmware (CFW), installing the update via a CIA file is the most reliable method.
This guide covers everything you need to safely update your game to the latest version. Why You Need Update 1.2
Nintendo released the 1.2 patch to address specific issues that affected the competitive balance and stability of the Alola region:
Move Fixes: Corrects bugs involving Ion Deluge and Wide Guard.
Online Access: Required to use the Festival Plaza, GTS, and Wonder Trade.
Stability: Prevents crashes during specific Z-Move animations.
QR Scanner: Fixes a rare bug where the QR scanner would fail to register certain Pokémon. Prerequisites
Before you begin, ensure your handheld is ready for the installation:
Custom Firmware: Your 3DS must have Luma3DS and FBI installed.
Storage Space: You need approximately 250MB of free space on your SD card.
Region Match: While updates are often region-free, it is best to use a CIA that matches your game’s region (USA, EUR, or JPN). How to Install the Update CIA
Follow these steps to apply the patch using FBI, the standard CIA manager for 3DS. 1. Prepare the File
Connect your SD card to your PC or use a tool like FTPD to transfer the Pokémon Ultra Sun v1.2 Update CIA file. Place it in a folder named cias on the root of your SD card for easy navigation. 2. Launch FBI
Insert the SD card back into your 3DS and power it on. Locate and open the FBI application from the Home Menu. 3. Navigate to the File
In the FBI main menu, select SD, then navigate to the folder where you saved the update file. 4. Install and Delete
Highlight the update CIA and press A. Select Install and Delete CIA. Deleting the source file after installation saves space, as the 3DS "unpacks" the data into its internal management system. 5. Verify the Update pokemon ultra sun update 12 cia install
Once the process finishes, press the Home button to return to the menu. Launch Pokémon Ultra Sun. Look at the bottom right of the title screen; you should see v1.2 displayed clearly. Troubleshooting Common Issues
Error: "Manufacturer Database" or "Invalid Signature"This usually means your CFW is outdated. Update your Luma3DS boot.firm file to the latest version and try again.
The game still says v1.0 or v1.1If the version number hasn't changed, you may have installed the update for "Pokémon Ultra Moon" by mistake, or the CIA file was corrupted. Re-download the file from a trusted source.
Data Corruption WarningIf you see a prompt saying "The extra data is corrupted," don't panic. This often happens when switching between different update versions. Let the game "repair" the data; your main save file is stored separately and is usually safe.
💡 Quick Tip: If you have an internet connection and your 3DS is not banned, you can also download this update directly from the eShop or the "Update" prompt on the Home Menu, even with CFW installed. If you'd like to dive deeper, I can help you with: Finding base game CIA files Setting up PKSM for save editing Installing custom textures or mods for Ultra Sun
Pokémon Ultra Sun to version 1.2 on a modded Nintendo 3DS using a CIA file, you typically use the
application to install the update data manually. This update is essential for online play and fixes several game-breaking bugs, including crashes during Live Competitions. 🛠️ Update Installation Guide Follow these steps to install the v1.2 CIA update on your system: 1. Prepare the CIA File Obtain the Pokémon Ultra Sun Update v1.2 CIA from a reputable source like the Ensure the update region matches
your game's region (e.g., North America, Europe, or World/Region Free). file to the folder on your 3DS SD card. 2. Install via FBI from your Home Menu. Navigate to Select your update file and choose Install and delete CIA Once finished, press
to return to the menu; the update will be applied automatically. Nintendo Support 3. Verify Version Launch Pokémon Ultra Sun. Look at the bottom right of the title screen. It should display Nintendo Support 🚀 Troubleshooting Common Issues "Update Required" Message Won't Go Away
If the game says "Ver. 1.2" but still prompts you to update, it often means the base game CIA was a "bad dump" with incorrect internal version numbers.
Having trouble with multiple Pokemon Ultra Sun CIAs : r/3dspiracy
To install the Pokémon Ultra Sun Version 1.2 update using a .cia file, you generally use a homebrew application like FBI or GodMode9 on a modified 3DS system. Version 1.2 is a critical patch that fixes several bugs, including game-freezing glitches with moves like Curse, Forest's Curse, Power Trick, and String Shot during Live Competitions. Installation Methods for .cia Updates 1. Using FBI (Recommended)
This is the most common method for users with custom firmware like Luma3DS.
Prepare the SD Card: Place your Pokemon_Ultra_Sun_Update_v1.2.cia file into a folder on your 3DS SD card (e.g., a folder named cias). Launch FBI: Open the FBI app from your 3DS HOME Menu.
Locate the File: Navigate to SD -> (your folder name) -> and select the update .cia file. Installing the 1
Install: Select Install and delete CIA. Deleting the installer after installation saves space on your SD card, as the update data is copied to the system's internal management.
Verification: Once finished, exit FBI. The version number "1.2" should now appear on the Pokémon Ultra Sun title screen. 2. Using GodMode9
If you prefer not to use FBI, you can install directly from the boot menu.
Boot to GodMode9: Power on your 3DS while holding the Start button.
Find File: Navigate to [0:] SDCARD and locate your .cia file.
Install: Press A on the file, select CIA image options..., then Install game image.
Permissions: Follow the on-screen button prompts to unlock write permissions if required. Troubleshooting Common Issues How to Update Pokémon Ultra Sun and Pokémon Ultra Moon
The process of installing the v1.2 update for Pokémon Ultra Sun via a CIA file involves using the FBI homebrew application on a custom firmware-enabled Nintendo 3DS. This update is critical for fixing known bugs, such as game freezes during the Hall of Fame sequence and issues with specific move interactions. 🛠️ Prerequisites
Custom Firmware (CFW): Your 3DS must have Luma3DS and GodMode9 installed.
FBI App: The standard tool used for title and CIA installation.
SD Card Space: Ensure you have at least 500MB of free space.
Update File: The .cia file for Pokémon Ultra Sun Update v1.2 (ensure the region matches your game: USA, EUR, or JPN). 📥 Installation Steps 1. File Preparation Power off your 3DS and insert the SD card into your PC.
Create a folder named cias on the root of the SD card (if it doesn't exist).
Copy the Pokemon_Ultra_Sun_Update_v1.2.cia file into that folder. Safely eject the SD card and return it to your 3DS. 2. FBI Installation Launch the FBI application from your 3DS Home Menu. Navigate to SD -> cias. Highlight the v1.2 update file and press A.
Select Install and delete CIA (this saves space by removing the installer after the update is applied). Detailed Version (Forum / Reddit post) Title: [Guide]
Confirm the installation and wait for the "Install finished" message. 3. Verification Press Home to return to the main menu. Launch Pokémon Ultra Sun.
Check the bottom-right corner of the title screen; it should now display v1.2. ⚠️ Important Considerations
Region Locking: If you install a USA update on a EUR game, the update will not apply and may cause the game to crash.
Save Data: Updates generally do not delete save data, but it is always recommended to back up your save using Checkpoint or JKSM before modifying game files.
Online Play: You must have the latest update (v1.2) installed to access the Global Trade Station (GTS) or participate in Online Battles.
Pokémon Ultra Sun to version 1.2 using a file, you will primarily use the
homebrew application on a modded Nintendo 3DS. This update (Version 1.2) is essential for online play and fixes specific move-related crashes (e.g., Curse, Forest's Curse, and Ion Deluge). Prerequisites A Nintendo 3DS with Luma3DS Custom Firmware (CFW) installed on your console. Version 1.2 Update CIA
file. (Ensure the update's region matches your game's region—e.g., USA update for a USA game). 539 blocks (approx. 67 MB) of free space on your SD card. Step 1: Transfer the CIA to your SD Card Turn off your 3DS and insert the SD card into your PC. Create a folder named on the root of your SD card if it doesn't already exist. Pokemon_Ultra_Sun_Update_v1.2.cia file into this Safely eject the SD card and reinsert it into your 3DS. Step 2: Install via FBI from your 3DS Home Menu. Navigate to your update file and press Install and delete CIA
. (Selecting "delete" saves space by removing the installer file after the update is applied). Wait for the "Install finished" message and press to confirm.
to return to the Home Menu. A "New software has been added" notification should appear. Step 3: Verify the Update Pokémon Ultra Sun Title Screen
(where you see Solgaleo/Necrozma), look at the bottom right or left corner. It should explicitly display PocketMonsters.net Troubleshooting Common Issues
Here’s a clean, informative post you can use on a forum, Reddit, or Discord. I’ve included both a short version and a detailed version depending on where you’re posting.
Title: [Guide] Pokemon Ultra Sun – Installing Update v1.2 (CIA) on CFW 3DS
Console: 3DS / 2DS with Custom Firmware (Luma3DS + FBI)
Game: Pokemon Ultra Sun (USA/EUR/JPN)
File needed: Pokemon Ultra Sun v1.2 Update.cia (around 800–900 MB)