While official online services for the Nintendo 3DS have concluded as of April 2024 , maintaining the Version 1.2 update Pokémon Ultra Sun
remains critical for stability, local wireless play, and potential fan-run server compatibility. Nintendo Support Pokémon Ultra Sun Update 1.2: Core Features Released on February 6, 2018
, version 1.2 is a technical patch focusing on competitive balance and bug fixes rather than adding new story content. Nintendo Support Move Glitch Fixes : Addressed a critical issue where using moves like Forest's Curse Power Trick String Shot could cause the game to freeze during Live Competitions. Unbanning Moves
: Because of the freezing fix, these moves were officially unbanned from "Play! Pokémon" tournaments. Performance Stability
: Implemented "various fixes to improve gameplay" and general stability across the Alola region. Save Data Safety : Installing the update does delete existing save data; however, Battle Videos saved prior to version 1.2 will no longer be playable. Managing CIAs and "World" Updates
In the world of custom firmware (CFW), users often encounter regional or versioning conflicts when applying update CIAs.
Pokémon Ultra Sun v1.2 generally works with a World (Region Free)
CIA, but there are specific compatibility rules you must follow to avoid crashes or persistent update prompts. Key Compatibility Rules Matching Title IDs : Pokémon Ultra Sun has a unique Title ID ( 00040000001B5000
) that is the same across all regions. This means a "World" update CIA will typically align with your base game regardless of its original region. Avoid "Baked-In" Updates
: Do not use CIAs where the update is already "baked" into the base game file. These often cause errors when the system tries to verify the version number or apply future patches. The "Double Update" Bug
: Users often report that the 3DS keeps asking for an update even after installing the v1.2 CIA. This usually happens because the CIA has a modified version number (often "0.0.0"). You can fix this by deleting the "fake" update ticket in and downloading the official update directly from the Nintendo eShop (which is still accessible for updates). How to Install Correctly Install the Base Game
: Use FBI to install the primary Pokémon Ultra Sun World/Region Free CIA. Apply the Update Recommended
: Launch the game and select "Update" when prompted to download it directly from Nintendo's servers. This is the most stable method and ensures the correct internal versioning. Alternative (CIA Method) : If using an update CIA from a source like , ensure you install it the base game. Troubleshooting Crashes pokemon ultra sun update 12 3ds world cia work
: If your game crashes on startup after installing v1.2, it is often due to a corrupted update file or a region mismatch in the update CIA itself. Delete the update data in System Settings > Data Management and try the eShop download method instead. Update v1.2 Features Patch 1.2 specifically addresses several critical bugs: Nintendo Support Fixes a crash caused by the move Spiky Shield Fixes a bug where Ion Deluge failed to function correctly.
Resolves game-freezing issues during Live Competitions when using moves like String Shot Power Trick
The Pokémon Ultra Sun Update 1.2 is a critical patch for the Nintendo 3DS that addresses several game-breaking glitches
. While users often seek CIA files for this update, especially when using custom firmware (CFW), many encounter issues such as persistent update notifications crashes upon startup Update Overview: Version 1.2
Released in February 2018, this patch is required for all online features, including Trading and Battle Competitions. It requires approximately 539 blocks of space on your SD card. PocketMonsters.net Move Glitch Fixes : Resolves issues where moves like Forest's Curse Power Trick String Shot could cause the game to freeze during Live Competitions. Ability Fix : Corrects a bug where the Ion Deluge ability did not function as intended. Online Stability
: Ensures compatibility with Nintendo’s servers for ongoing gameplay. PocketMonsters.net Common Issues with .CIA Updates
Installing the 1.2 update via a CIA file from unofficial sources can sometimes lead to technical hurdles:
: Some users report that the game fails to launch after manually installing a 1.2 CIA update. This is often due to a mismatch between the base game region and the update region. Update Loop
: Even after installing 1.2, your 3DS may continue to notify you that an update is available. Language Selection Crashes
: Mismatched versions can sometimes cause the game to crash specifically at the language selection screen. Troubleshooting and Tips
If you are having trouble making the update work on your system, consider these community-vetted steps:
Guide to Pokémon Ultra Sun Update 1.2 for 3DS: Installing World Region CIAs While official online services for the Nintendo 3DS
The v1.2 update for Pokémon Ultra Sun is an essential patch for any player looking to maintain a stable and competitive gameplay experience. This update primarily targets critical bugs and move-related crashes that hindered competitive play. Whether you are playing on a retail console or a modified 3DS, ensuring you have the correct "World" (Region Free) CIA file is key to compatibility. Overview of Update v1.2 Changes
Released in February 2018, the v1.2 patch is roughly 539 blocks (approx. 67 MB) in size. It focuses on stability rather than adding new content.
Move Crash Fixes: Addressed a severe bug where using moves like Curse, Forest’s Curse, Power Trick, and String Shot could cause the game to freeze during Live Competitions and Link Battles.
Competitive Reinstatement: These moves were briefly banned from official Play! Pokémon tournaments until this patch was released.
Online Access: This update is required for all online functions, including battling and trading.
Save Data Warning: While your save data remains safe, any Battle Videos recorded before installing v1.2 will become unplayable after the update. How to Install the World CIA Update
If you are using a modded 3DS or an emulator like Citra, you may need to install the update manually via a .cia file. The "World" or "Region Free" version is highly recommended to avoid region mismatch errors. Using FBI on a Modded 3DS
The journey to getting Pokémon Ultra Sun Update 1.2 working on your 3DS using a CIA file is a common quest for trainers in the homebrew world. Version 1.2, released on February 6, 2018, is essential for a smooth adventure as it fixes various gameplay bugs. The Quest: Installing the Update
To ensure your game is properly updated and ready for the Alola region, follow this path:
Prepare your Supplies: Ensure you have the Update 1.2 CIA file. It must match the region of your base game (e.g., USA update for a USA game).
The FBI Tool: Most trainers use the FBI application, a powerful tool for installing CIA files. Place the .cia file on your SD card. Open FBI on your 3DS HOME Menu. Navigate to SD Card and find your update file. Select Install and delete CIA to save space.
Confirming Success: Once installed, the new version number (1.2) should be visible on the game's title screen. Troubleshooting the Obstacles "The game card could not be read" /
If the "Update Available" message keeps appearing even after installation, you might be facing these common hurdles:
Region Mismatch: The system won't recognize an update from a different region than the game.
Dirty Tickets: Sometimes old "tickets" (digital ownership records) interfere. Use FBI to navigate to Tickets, find the one for Ultra Sun, and delete it before reinstalling the update CIA.
The "Bad Dump" Trap: If the CIA was built incorrectly, the internal version numbers might be wrong. If it says it's updated but the prompt remains, it usually won't affect gameplay, but you might need to find a more reliable source for the file. Alternative Paths
The Official Route: If your 3DS is the same region as the game and you haven't manually installed conflicting updates, you can often update directly through the Nintendo eShop or the HOME Menu prompt.
Universal-Updater: For those with a modded 3DS, the Universal-Updater is an excellent homebrew app that can sometimes simplify these installations.
This usually happens if the Region of the Update does not match the Region of the Game (e.g., installing a USA update on a EUR game).
Version 1.2 is the final patch for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Released in early 2018, it addressed critical bugs: fixing the Elite Four save glitch, correcting moves like Z-Move inconsistencies, and enabling compatibility with Pokémon Bank post-Gen VIII announcement. Crucially, it introduced no new story content but stabilized online features and local battle protocols. For players using custom firmware (CFW), acquiring Update 1.2 becomes essential—without it, trade and battle compatibility with updated vanilla units fails.
Cause: The update was installed to the wrong location (NAND vs. SD) or you have a conflicting "DLC" version.
Fix: Go to System Settings → Data Management → Nintendo 3DS → Add-On Content. Delete any existing Pokémon Ultra Sun update data. Then, reinstall the 1.2 CIA via FBI with "Install and Delete CIA" to ensure clean writing.
Follow these steps exactly. The single biggest mistake users make is installing the update before the base game, or installing a region-mismatched update.
Cause: Your 3DS system firmware (SysNAND) is too old. Even with CFW, some v1.2 patches require a modern firmware base (e.g., 11.15 or higher). Solution: Go to System Settings → Other Settings → System Update. Do this only if you have Luma3DS installed (which blocks Nintendo’s official update deletion). Update to the latest version (11.17 as of this writing). Then reinstall the CIA.
If you have an unbanned NNID, why not just download the update from the eShop? Because for many "World" CIA users, the eShop shows "This software is currently unavailable" due to region mismatches or a shadow ban on the title. The manual CIA update is the only route.
| Feature | Official eShop Update | Manual v1.2 CIA | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Requires original cartridge | Yes (or legit digital license) | No | | Works with "World" CIA | No (error 007-2920) | Yes | | Installation time | 4 minutes (auto) | 2 minutes (manual) | | Risk of ban | 0% | <1% (with common sense) |
A CIA file (CTR Importable Archive) is essentially a compressed, signed Nintendo 3DS package. Update 1.2 for Ultra Sun exists as a separate CIA (approximately 900 MB) that must be installed after the base game CIA. Using a title manager like FBI, the user can deploy the update directly to the 3DS SD card. Once installed, the system recognizes the patch as title ID 0004000E001B5F00—the update slot for the base game’s title ID. The patch integrates seamlessly: the game launcher shows “Ver. 1.2” on the top screen, and all new data (move tables, event flags, online IDs) overwrites the base game’s resources in real-time.