How to Add Games on Citra — Complete Tutorial (2026)

Adding games to Citra is easy once you understand the correct steps. There are two simple ways to do it. You can load one game file directly, or you can add a full folder so Citra automatically shows all your games in a list. You can also install CIA files, add game updates and DLC, and keep your games properly organized.

This guide explains everything step by step from beginning to end. It covers how to set up your game folder, which file formats Citra supports, the difference between encrypted and decrypted ROMs, how to correctly install CIA games, and what to do if a game does not load. Instructions for both PC and Android are included.

Where to Put Your ROM Files and How to Organize Them?

Before loading games in Citra, it is a good idea to create a clean and simple folder setup. This makes it easier to manage your games, especially when you start adding updates, DLC, and more titles.

Recommended Folder Setup on PC:

C:\Citra Games\
C:\Citra Games\ROMs\ (put your .3ds and .cxi files here)
C:\Citra Games\CIA\ (keep your .cia files here before installing them)
C:\Citra Games\DLC\ (store DLC CIA files here before installing)
C:\Citra Games\Updates\ (store update CIA files here before installing)

You do not have to use this exact folder structure, but keeping ROMs, CIA files, DLC, and updates in separate folders helps avoid confusion later. Also, use simple file names. Do not use special symbols or very long names, because they can sometimes cause Citra to read the file path incorrectly and fail to load the game.

Method 1: Load File (Single Game)

This is the quickest and easiest way to open one game in Citra without setting up a full game library. It works just like opening a normal file from your computer. This method is useful when you want to test a game quickly or do not want to organize folders yet.

Steps to Load a Single Game File:

1. Open Citra on your PC and wait for the main window to fully load.
2. Click on File in the top menu bar at the top of the Citra window.
3. Select Load File from the dropdown menu that appears.
4. Browse to the folder where your ROM file is saved on your computer.
5. Click on your .3ds, .cia, or .cxi file to select it properly.
6. Press Open, and the game will begin launching immediately.

This method is best when you only have one or two games or want to quickly check if a game works. However, Citra will not automatically add the game to a visible library list. Each time you want to play, you will need to go back to File and manually choose the game again. If you want your games to appear in a permanent list inside Citra, using the Game Directory method is a better option.

Method 2: Add Games Directory (Scan Full Folder)

This method allows Citra to scan a full folder and automatically show all supported games inside the emulator. Your games will appear in a clean grid or list view in the main window. This is the best way to create a proper game library, especially if you have many games.

Steps to Add a Game Directory on PC:

1. Open Citra on your PC and wait for the main screen to load completely.
2. Click on Emulation in the top menu bar at the top of the window.
3. Select Configure to open the settings panel.
4. Go to the UI tab inside the settings window.
5. Scroll down until you see the Game Directories section.
6. Click Add and choose the folder where your ROM files are saved.
7. Press Select Folder and then click OK to save the settings.
8. Citra will scan that folder and all compatible games will appear in the main window automatically.

After adding a folder, you do not need to repeat these steps again for that location. If you place new ROM files into the same folder later, Citra will detect them and add them to the list automatically when it scans again.

If your games are stored in different folders, you can add multiple directories. Just repeat the Add step for each folder. Citra will combine all the folders and show every game together in one single library view.

ROM Formats That Citra Supports:

Citra does not support every game file format. It only works with specific types of 3DS files. Below are the main formats Citra accepts and how to use them.

Format	Full Name	When to Use
.3ds	Nintendo 3DS ROM	This is the most common format. You can load it directly using Load File or place it inside your game folder. The file must be decrypted.
.cia	CTR Importable Archive	Used for full games, DLC, and updates. You must install it using File > Install CIA before playing.
.cxi	CTR Executable Image	Less common format. It can be loaded directly like a .3ds file and is usually extracted from other files.

Important:

Citra does not support .nds (Nintendo DS) files. It also does not support encrypted .cia or encrypted .3ds files. If you try to load an unsupported or encrypted file, the game may not open or you may only see a black screen.

Encrypted vs Decrypted ROMs – What Is the Difference?

Many new Citra users get confused about encrypted and decrypted ROMs. Knowing the difference can save you a lot of time and frustration.

Encrypted ROMs:

Encrypted ROMs are protected by Nintendo’s security system. If you dump a game directly from a 3DS cartridge without removing the protection, the file will be encrypted. Citra cannot run encrypted ROMs by default. If you try to open one, the game may not start, you may see a black screen, or you might get a “Could not load game” error.

Citra can run encrypted ROMs only if you add special AES keys from a real 3DS console. These keys must be placed in a file called aes_keys.txt inside Citra’s sysdata folder. However, this process is more technical and requires a real 3DS with custom firmware to extract the keys.

Decrypted ROMs:

Decrypted ROMs have already had the protection removed. These files work with Citra without needing any extra setup. Most working .3ds files you find are already decrypted. If your game loads and plays normally without adding key files, it means the ROM is decrypted.

The simple rule is this: always use decrypted ROMs with Citra. If your game is not loading, encryption is one of the first things you should check.

How to Install Games Using CIA Format (Recommended Method)?

The CIA format is usually a better way to add games to Citra than using normal .3ds files. When you install a CIA file, the game is added to Citra’s virtual system memory, just like it would be on a real 3DS. This also makes installing DLC and updates much easier and smoother.

Steps to Install a CIA File in Citra:

1. Open Citra on your computer and wait for the main window to load fully.
2. Click on File in the top menu bar of the emulator.
3. Select Install CIA from the dropdown menu that appears.
4. Browse to the folder where your .cia game file is saved.
5. Click on the .cia file to select it, then press Open to begin installation.
6. Wait for the progress bar to finish, as the installation may take a few minutes depending on the file size.
7. Once completed, the game will automatically appear in Citra’s main game list.

After the game is installed, you do not need the original .cia file to play it anymore because Citra has already saved the game data internally. You can delete the .cia file to free up space on your computer, or keep it as a backup if you want.

Tip: Installing games as CIA files is especially useful if the game has DLC or update patches. When the base game is installed as a CIA, any DLC or update CIA you install will connect to it automatically. This process is much smoother compared to using .3ds files.

How to Add DLC and Updates in Citra?

Many 3DS games include DLC and game updates. Citra supports both, and the installation process is almost the same as installing a normal CIA game file. You just need the correct .cia files for the DLC or update.

Installing DLC:

• Make sure the main game is already installed using File > Install CIA before adding any DLC.
• Download or place the DLC file in .cia format on your computer.
• Open Citra and click on File, then choose Install CIA from the menu.
• Browse to the DLC .cia file, select it, and click Open to start the installation.
• Wait until the progress bar finishes, as larger DLC files may take some time.
• Start the game normally, and the DLC content will be available inside the game automatically.

Installing Game Updates:

• Make sure you have the correct update file in .cia format for your game version.
• Open Citra and go to File, then click Install CIA again.
• Select the update .cia file from your folder.
• Click Open and wait for the installation process to finish completely.
• Launch the game, and it will now run with the updated version applied.

To check if everything installed correctly, right-click the game in Citra’s game list and select Properties. You should see the updated version number listed there, and any installed DLC should appear in the content list.

Managing Multiple Games and Organizing Your Library:

When you start adding many games to Citra, keeping them organized becomes very important. A clean setup helps you find games faster and avoid confusion.

Using Multiple Game Directories:

Citra allows you to add more than one game folder. For example, you can keep RPG games in one folder and action games in another folder. You can add each folder separately in the settings. Even if your games are stored in different locations, Citra will show all of them together in one single library view.

Sorting and View Options:

In the main Citra window, you can choose how your games are displayed. You can switch between grid view and list view using the view buttons. Grid view shows game cover images in a visual layout. List view shows more details like the game region and file type. You can also sort games alphabetically or by region using the options in the View menu.

Removing a Game from the Library:

If you want Citra to stop scanning a folder, go to Emulation > Configure > UI > Game Directories. Select the folder you want to remove and click Remove. This will not delete your games from the computer. It only removes the folder from Citra’s library scan.

If you want to completely remove an installed CIA game, go to File > View > Title Manager, find the game in the list, and uninstall it from there. This will fully remove the installed game data from Citra.

How to Transfer Saves Between Games?

Managing save files in Citra is easy once you know where they are stored. This is helpful if you reinstall Citra, change to another build like Nightly or Canary, or want to back up your game progress.

Where Citra Stores Save Data?

Citra saves all game data in a specific folder on your computer. On Windows, the default location is:

C:\Users\YourUsername\AppData\Roaming\Citra\sdmc\Nintendo 3DS\

Inside this folder, each game has its own separate folder based on its title ID. All save files, extra data, and DLC data are stored there.

How to Back Up a Save?

• Go to the Citra save folder path shown above on your computer.
• Find the folder for the game you want to back up by checking its title ID.
• Copy the entire game folder and paste it into a safe place like an external drive or cloud storage.

How to Restore or Transfer a Save?

• Copy your saved backup folder back into the same Citra directory path.
• If you are moving the save to another PC, make sure the folder structure is exactly the same.
• Open Citra and launch the game, and your save progress should appear automatically.

You can also right-click on a game inside Citra’s game list and choose Open Save Data Location. This will directly open that game’s save folder so you do not have to search for it manually.

Troubleshooting: Could Not Load Game and Other Errors

If a game is not opening in Citra, the problem is usually caused by a few common issues. Below are the most common errors and how to fix them.

Platform Guide: PC and Android

The basic steps to add games are similar on PC and Android, but the menus and file locations are different. The PC version gives you more control and features, while the Android version is made for mobile use.

Adding Games on PC:

• On PC, you can use both methods to add games in Citra.
• You can open one game directly by clicking File and then Load File.
• You can add a full folder of games using Emulation, Configure, and Game Directories.
• You can install CIA files by going to the File menu and selecting Install CIA.
• Save files are stored inside the AppData folder on your computer.
• You can also right click on a game in the list and choose Open Save Data Location to access saves quickly.
• The PC version offers more features and better performance compared to other platforms.

Adding Games on Android:

• Download and install the official Citra app on your Android device.
• Move your ROM files to your phone, preferably inside a folder like Internal Storage > Citra > ROMs.
• Open the Citra app on your device.
• Tap the folder icon on the main screen or go to Settings and choose Add Games Folder.
• Select the folder where your ROM files are saved.
• The games will appear in the app’s game list automatically.

Installing CIA files on Android works almost the same as on PC. Open the app menu, choose Install CIA, and select your file. Save data on Android is stored inside the app’s internal storage. In some cases, you may need a special file manager to access those folders.

Keep in mind that the Android version may not have all the features of the PC version. If something is missing on Android, it is usually available in the PC version.

Conclusion:

Adding games to Citra is easy once you understand the two main methods and the supported file types. The Load File option is good for quickly opening one game. Adding a Game Directory is better if you want to build a full game library. For the best results, install games as CIA files instead of using raw .3ds files, especially if you plan to use DLC or updates.

Always use decrypted ROMs to avoid loading errors. Keep your game folders clean and organized from the beginning, and use Citra’s save data shortcut to back up your progress easily. Whether you are using PC or Android, the steps are simple, and your game library will grow smoothly once everything is set up correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions