How to Install Homebrew on a Nintendo Wii Using LetterBomb

Why You Should Install LetterBomb on Your Wii

Released in 2006, the Nintendo Wii is a retro gaming giant, a record-breaking console that shipped over 100 million units. These days, the Nintendo Wii seems old and outdated; apps don’t work, it doesn’t support high definition, and it won’t even play DVDs.

While games will still run on your Nintendo Wii, almost all the apps (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, etc.) don’t. Furthermore, you might have completed all of your Wii games and want something new. Worse, the DVD drive on your Wii might have stopped working.

Installing LetterBomb is a way to circumvent these challenges. Once installed, your Wii can:

1. Play media files.
2. Emulate classic games.
3. Install software from a community of Wii users.

Installing LetterBomb means you can then install the Homebrew Channel, the perfect way to give your Wii a new purpose. It’s done using nothing more than an SD card.

What Is the LetterBomb Hack?

Installing homebrew software on the Wii used to be difficult. For example, it might have meant owning a specific game and corrupting the save data to run an exploit. Suffice to say it was complicated.

The LetterBomb hack, by contrast, is far simpler, and essentially gives you access to Homebrew in a couple of clicks.

Disclaimer: Follow the steps below at your own risk!

To run the LetterBomb hack you will need:

1. An SD card of 4GB capacity or higher.
2. A PC with an SD card reader and an active internet connection.
3. A wireless network for your Nintendo Wii to connect to.

For the best results use a standard SD card without any error-correction or high-speed rating. It needs to be completely ordinary so the Wii can read it.

Step 1: Format Your SD Card

Start by formatting the SD card on your computer. In Windows, do this by browsing to it from your file manager.

Insert your SD card into your computer and make sure it’s formatted as FAT32 or FAT. Alternative formats such as NTFS, HFS, and EXF2/3/4 will not work.

Step 2: Check Your Wii Software Version

LetterBomb works on the latest version of the Wii software: 4.3.

To check this, switch on your Wii, then:

1. Click the Wii button in the bottom-left corner of the screen.
2. Select Wii Settings.
3. Look for the Wii software version in the top-right corner.

This should be 4.3 followed by one of four letters: U, E, J, or K. These letters depend on which global region you live in. Take note of the letter as you will need it later.

If your Wii is running an earlier version than 4.3 you need to update your Wii. Scroll through the settings, then click the Wii System Update.

Step 3: Find Your Wii’s MAC Address

The next step is to find the MAC address for your Nintendo Wii. This is a unique network address that is needed to run the LetterBomb exploit.

To find your Wii’s MAC address:

1. In Wii, Settings click the Internet.
2. Select Console Information.

The MAC address is listed here, so make a note of it. Then shut down your Nintendo Wii.

Step 4: Create Your LetterBomb

With your Wii updated and your MAC addresses noted, insert the SD card into your computer. In your browser, open please.hackmii.com.

Fill in the details as follows:

1. Select the System Menu Version (U, E, J, or K).
2. Enter the MAC address of your Wii.
3. Complete the CAPTCHA.
4. Click Cut the Red Wire.

A ZIP file will be available to download. Save this to your computer, then unzip. Copy the unzipped contents to the root of the formatted SD card.

Step 5: How to Install LetterBomb on the Wii

Safely eject the SD card, then insert it into your Nintendo Wii’s card reader.

To install LetterBomb:

1. On the main screen, click the envelope icon in the bottom-right corner.
2. You’ll see a single envelope click left to browse back a day.
3. Click the LetterBomb message to install the hack.
4. When prompted, press 1 on the WiiMote.
5. Choose Install the Homebrew Channel.
6. Confirm with Yes, continue.
7. Click Continue when done.

You can also install BootMii here, which is useful if you want to modify your Wii in other ways. Head to the WiiBrew wiki to read more about BootMii.

With the LetterBomb and Homebrew Channel installed, your Wii will look the same as before, with one exception. However, it isn’t quite ready to use. Shut down your Wii and eject the SD card, then insert it into your computer.

Step 6: Install Homebrew Software on Your Wii

To find software to install on your hacked Wii, you’ll need the Open Shop Channel. This is a development of the old Homebrew Browser, designed to replace the Wii’s now-defunct Shopping Channel.

Download: Open Shop Channel

Create a new folder on your SD card called apps. Then extract the contents of the downloaded osc.zip to the /apps directory.

Once again, eject the SD card and insert it into your Wii. Boot up, open the Homebrew Channel then click the Open Shop Channel.

There is much to find here, but this list of featured Homebrew Apps is a great place to start exploring.