Homebrew Channel

So you want to install the Homebrew Channel?

The Homebrew Channel, also known as the HBC, lets you execute other homebrew applications stored on an SD Card. It is necessary for almost all homebrew you need to run.

What you should install first

nothing

What you need

SD Card (an SDHC card is also suitable if you are at firmware version 4.0 or higher)

Installation

Launch the Hackmii Installer using one of the methods on the Launch page, returning here when requested. Read the warning message and wait for the "Press 1 to continue" prompt to appear When the prompt does appear, push 1 Take note of what you can and can't install then push A to Continue. If any options say No apart from BootMii as boot2, then you have likely previously installed some destructive apps. We can't help you fix that.

Installing BootMii as boot2 is an option only available to older Wiis, so don't worry if you can't do it. Select "Install the Homebrew Channel" with the D-pad and push A. Answer "Yes, continue" and the HBC will be installed. This is also a good time to consider installing BootMii. If you do so, skip to step 5 of that installation. Now return to the Launch method you used and check if your method has any steps to follow after the installation. Once you are done, you now have a Wii that can launch homebrew apps. Read about the HBC below or return to the Starting Page to figure out which apps you want to install.

Upgrading the Homebrew Channel

If your Wii is connected to the Internet, the HBC will automatically apply updates. Just start the HBC, select yes at the prompt to update and follow the instructions for installation. If the prompt does not appear and the network icon at the bottom right of the screen is not switched on, click the icon and it should connect. For offline installations, download the latest version of the Hackmii Installer and use the following procedure:

Create a subdirectory called sd:/apps/BootMiiHBCUpgrade/ on your SD card. Download HackMii Installer v0.7 or later from this page. Unzip HackMii Installer and copy boot.elf to sd:/apps/BootMiiHBCUpgrade/ Start the HBC and load the /apps/BootMiiHBCUpgrade/boot.elf application. Follow installation steps above.

Using the Homebrew Channel

Starting the Homebrew Channel without apps will simply give you a blue screen with bubbles at first. It's time to install some apps. Go to the Starting Out/FAQ page to work out which apps you want to install, for example, the Homebrew Browser a Region Free app or a USB Loader.

You can change viewing mode to a grid pattern with the 2 button

You can choose to load files off a FAT partition on the hard drive with the 1 button.

Install homebrew applications into sd:/apps/ appname , replacing appname with any string of characters to represent the program

, replacing with any string of characters to represent the program All homebrew apps will have either a .dol or .elf file. Rename this to boot.dol or boot.elf (do not change the extension) and place it in the sd:/apps/ appname directory

directory Optionally add the files meta.xml and icon.png into the sd:/apps/ appname to get a name, info and image to show up for the program

to get a name, info and image to show up for the program The HBC will be located in your Wii Channels. Run it, and it will give you a list of all the applications in the sd:/apps directory

To change the order of the apps, alter the meta.xml files and change the name field. Apps will display in alphabetical order.

FAQ

The HBC says "Not a valid Wii executable" or something similar when I choose my app. What's wrong? This is likely a .elf file. Some older apps do not use the proper .elf format and the HBC doesn't recognise them. You should find an updated version, or use ELF to DOL converter

I just see bubbles. What do I do now? You don't have any apps yet. Go here to find out what apps you might like to install and how to install them, or look at the What Next section below.



What Next?