Creating a portable version of Citra ensures that the emulator looks for its system data (including keys) within its own folder rather than the default Windows "AppData" directory.
: In your main Citra directory (where the citra-qt.exe is located), create a new folder named exactly user .
The term "AES key" relates to the encryption used by the 3DS for certain types of data. Citra requires access to these keys to properly decrypt and load games. The AES keys are typically stored in a file named aes_keys.txt . This file is crucial for Citra to function, as it allows the emulator to decrypt game data.
Look for a folder named user . If it does not exist, run Citra once to create it, or create it manually.
: Most "key hunters" use a homebrew tool called GodMode9 on a hacked 3DS.
If you are aiming to build a —such as running Citra on a flash drive, an external SSD, or a handheld device like the Steam Deck—getting your aes_keys.txt configured correctly ensures that your library stays decrypted and playable, no matter where you launch it. What is the aes_keys.txt File?
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Citra's official documentation explicitly states that it cannot provide these keys due to legal reasons. You need to acquire them yourself.
As an alternative, you can create the aes_keys.txt yourself by typing in the required keys. This method is for advanced users who have already sourced the correct key values.
The file structure should look like this:
(Where "X" represents the unique, 32-character hexadecimal strings dumped from your console). Save and close the file after pasting your hardware keys. Troubleshooting Common Key Errors
Because the file is plain text, it is fully portable between Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions of Citra. A user may generate the file on a Windows machine and transfer it to a Linux handheld (e.g., Steam Deck) without conversion.
