Downloading DSiWare: Stored in DSi Shop, Not Directly on Menu

You cannot download DSiWare directly to the DSi Menu (the top-level icon grid). All DSiWare purchases and downloads are managed exclusively through the DSi Shop application.

How It Works

1. Launch DSi Shop (orange shopping bag icon on Menu).
2. Browse / Search for title.
3. Purchase with Nintendo DSi Points (purchased via Credit Card or Nintendo Points Card).
4. Download begins. Progress shown in DSi Shop.
5. Upon completion, the game/app appears in the "DSiWare" section within the DSi Shop (tap "Menu" → "DSiWare").
6. Also appears on DSi Menu: A new icon is added to the last page(s) of the DSi Menu automatically. You launch it from there like any game.

Why This Design?

• DRM / License Management: DSi Shop verifies ownership, handles re-downloads, updates.
• Organization: Central library for all downloaded content.
• System Stability: Prevents Menu corruption from incomplete installs.
• Updates: DSi Shop notifies of patches for DSiWare titles.

Important Note (2024)

The DSi Shop closed on March 31, 2017. You can no longer purchase new DSiWare or Nintendo DSi Points. You CAN still re-download previously purchased titles:

• Open DSi Shop → "Settings/Other" → "Your Downloads" / "Redownload".
• Or: System Settings → Data Management → DSiWare → "Redownload".

If you never bought a title before closure, you cannot get it officially now. Homebrew (Unlaunch, TWiLight Menu++) enables installing `.cia`/`.nds` backups, but that's a separate topic.