It's possible to install the Wii Homebrew Channel on your Wii U in Wii mode, which allows you to play Wii games on the newer console. By setting up Wii Homebrew on Wii U, it's possible to do anything you can do with a modded Nintendo Wii.

Instructions in this article apply to the Nintendo Wii U, not to be confused with the original Nintendo Wii.

This process involves using software exploits. Hacking your game system can potentially brick your device, so proceed at your own risk.

What You Need to Install Wii Homebrew on Wii U

Modding your Wii U requires the following items:

A formatted SD card with at least 1GB of free space.

A computer with an internet connection and an SD card reader.

A Wii U console with an internet connection.

Additionally, you will need one of the following Wii games and the corresponding exploit software:

Before you begin, make sure your Wii U is running the latest firmware. Updating the system firmware after modding your console will remove the Homebrew Channel.

How to Prepare Your Wii U for Wii Homebrew

If you have saved data for the game you’re using, you’ll want to move it to a separate SD card before you begin. You can move it back after you’ve installed Homebrew. Regardless of which game you choose from the list above, the initial steps for modding the Wii U are the same:

Insert the SD card into your PC. Download the exploit for the game you plan to use, then extract the ZIP file and copy its contents to the root directory of your SD card. The Yu Gi Owned exploit has two folders, each containing the files you need to copy to the SD card. If the video signal of your Wii is 576i, copy contents from the 50Hz folder. If it is 480i or 480p, use the 60Hz folder. Download the Hackmii installer, then extract the ZIP file and copy the contents of the hackmii_installer_v1.2 folder to the root directory of your SD card. Create a new folder called apps in the root directory of your SD card. The folder must be called apps (all lowercase) for your homebrew applications to work. Download the Wii Homebrew Browser, then extract the ZIP file and copy its contents to the apps folder on your SD card. Remove the SD card from your computer. Insert the SD card into your Wii U along with the game you plan to use for the exploit. If using Super Smash Bros. Brawl for the exploit, you can skip ahead to the next section after completing this step. Launch Wii mode and select Wii Options. Select Save Data. Select Wii. Select the SD Card tab, then select the save data for the game you will use for the exploit. If there are multiple save files, choose the one for your region (e.g. USA). Select Copy. Select Yes.

The next steps depend on which Wii game you use to perform the exploit.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl Wii Homebrew Hack

To install Wii Homebrew using Super Smash Bros. Brawl:

Go to the stage builder and delete your custom stages or move them to another SD card (not the one with the exploit software). Exit the game and start it up again, then insert the SD card containing the exploit. Do ​not insert the SD card with the exploit software until the game has started. Go back to the stage builder and Homebrew installation will begin.

Lego Games Wii Homebrew Hack

Return to the Wii main menu, then start the game and load the save file. Your next actions depend on which game you’re using:

Lego Star Wars: Walk right to the bar where you will find characters in vats. Choose the one named “Return of Jodi” and press A to begin the installation.

Walk right to the bar where you will find characters in vats. Choose the one named “Return of Jodi” and press to begin the installation. Lego Indiana Jones: Walk down the short flight of steps and go through the door on the right, then go through the door at the end of the courtyard. Talk to the character on the left podium, then select the icon of two silhouettes with an arrow between them to start the installation.

Walk down the short flight of steps and go through the door on the right, then go through the door at the end of the courtyard. Talk to the character on the left podium, then select the icon of two silhouettes with an arrow between them to start the installation. Lego Batman: Take the elevator on the right side, then go through the door in the back-left corner of the trophy room. When the character select screen comes up, go to the bottom row, and then go to the right-most slot that has a highlighted circle to begin the installation.

Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Wheelie Breakers Wii Homebrew Hack

To install Wii Homebrew with Yu-Gi-Oh 5D's Wheelie Breakers, simply launch the game and press A at the start screen. Wait a few seconds for the installation to begin.

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Tales of Symphonia: DOTNW Wii Homebrew Hack

To install Wii Homebrew with Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World:

Start the game and load the first save file. Press plus (+) to enter the menu, then select Status. Press A and select Eri HaKawai (or Giantpune for the U.S. version). Press A again to begin the installation.

How to Install Wii Homebrew

After performing one of the exploits described above, you're ready to install Wii Homebrew using the Hackmii installer:

Press 1 on the Wii controller. Select Continue. Select Install The Homebrew Channel. Select Yes, continue. When the installation is successful, select Continue. Select BootMii. Select Install BootMii as IOS. Select Yes, continue. When asked if you want to install BootMii IOS, select Yes, continue again. Select Continue. Select Return to the main menu. Select Exit.

How to Use Wii Homebrew on Wii U

If successful, the Homebrew Channel will launch, and you can select the Homebrew Browser to start downloading Wii homebrew apps.

Press the Home button on the Wii controller to bring up the options menu. Select Exit to System Menu to close the Homebrew Channel.

You'll return to the main Wii menu. Anytime you want to access Wii Homebrew, open Wii mode and select the Homebrew Channel from the main menu.