Run exploit on your Wii U

January 26, 2021 - 2 min read

The goal of this guide is to enable an unmodified Wii U to run homebrew apps and backup games. The exploit does not make permanent changes so there is no risk of damaging your console. However you do need to run the exploit again if you reboot your console or run the System Settings app.

If you just want to access the exploit, use the Run exploit button below. Otherwise continue to the Preparation section.

Preparation

What you will need

  • Wii U with firmware 5.5.x

  • SD card and SD card reader

    Format your SD card to FAT32 if your console doesn't recognize it.

  • Computer with internet access

Download wiiu-sd.zip and extract its content to the root of the SD card.

SD card folder structure

└── wiiu/
    ├── apps/
    │   ├── homebrew_launcher/
    │   ├── mocha/
    │   ├── ufdiine/
    │   └── wupymod/
    └── payload.elf

Insert the SD card into the Wii U console and turn on the console.

Run exploit

Open http://wiiuexploit.xyz in the Wii U Internet Browser and click the Run Homebrew Launcher! button on the page.

There is a small chance that the exploit might fail and cause the console to freeze. In this case you will need to shut down the console (hold down the power button for 4 seconds) and try again.

You should see the Homebrew Launcher (HBL) screen in a few seconds.

Feel free to press the HOME button to go to the Wii U Menu. To start HBL again, simply run the Mii Maker app. However if you have run the System Settings app or turned off the console, you will need to run the exploit again to start HBL.

Homebrew apps

HBL can list and run homebrew apps located on the SD card. There are a few homebrew apps included by default and their usages are explained below.

Mocha CFW

Disable region and signature checks. Once launched, it will disable region and signature checks, then return to HBL.

WUP Installer

Install game backups, updates, and DLC from the SD card to either the Wii U's internal memory or external flash/hard drives.

Preapre content

The Wii U titles section allows you to download content from the Wii U CDN to your computer. Copy the downloaded install folder to the root of the SD card. The SD card folder stucture should look like:

├── install/
│   ├── 0005000000000000/
│   ├── 0005000c00000000/
│   ├── 0005000e00000000/
│   └── ...
└── wiiu/
    ├── apps/
    │   ├── homebrew_launcher/
    │   ├── mocha/
    │   ├── ufdiine/
    │   └── wupymod/
    └── payload.elf
It's illegal to download games that you don't own.

Install

You may need to run Mocha CFW if you want to install titles from different regions than your console. Launch WUP Installer and follow on screen instructions to install.

UFDiine

You may want to block system updates to prevent the exploit from being patched. UFDiine can block system updates by removing the system update folder.

Launch UFDiine and press the A button to delete the update folder. Confirm that it says Update folder is deleted. Now system updates are blocked. Press the HOME button to return to HBL.

Launch UFDiine again to recreate the update folder if you ever need to perform a system update.

Additional homebrew apps

You can install additional homebrew apps by copying their files to the /wiiu/apps folder on the SD card.

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