Restoring Wii functionalities to vWii and Wii Mini

# Restoring Wii functionalities to vWii and Mini by @Ingunar 03/2025 A lot of functionality restoration is in the developing phase, mostly working, but don't expect everything to work. Some things can break, so be careful with what you are doing. **The Wii Mini portion contains SOFT MOD solutions only!** Almost all of the Wii functionalities can be restored with the Hard mods. *(This is not the purpose of this page, since not everyone wants or knows how to do the Hard mods)* --- --- ## System Menu fixes for vWii and Mini: Some fixes for the changed textures and animations can be done with the asset patching, but some functionalities can't be fixed to act as on the Wii. Priiloader hacks can already restore access to some previously inaccessible parts. This is still a work in process. - **GUI and System Fixes for vWii:** - [**evWii Aroma plugin**](https://github.com/GaryOderNichts/evwii) is HIGHLY recommended! It enables Powering Off when holding the Power button 4s in Wii mode, and applies DMCU (viewport) fixes. - Create Message button: - Priiloader hack [Create message via Calendar button] can make the Calendar button act as the Create message button, granting access to the hidden options. This would remove access to the Calendar view. - *Still no proper solution to restore original navigation* - Send Button - *Still no solution for this.* - System Options: - Priiloader hack [Wii System Settings via Options Button] can restore access to the Wii System settings. - Priiloader hack [Permanent vWii System Settings] can separate Wii and WiiU settings and enable more options on vWii. - [**WiiVCLaunch**](https://github.com/Lynx64/WiiVCLaunch) is recommended to preserve Permanent vWii System Settings and Permanent vWii Network Settings. - *Still no proper solution to restore original navigation/UI of System Settings.* - *Still no solution for GC play.* - Assets can be fixed. - Gamecube Menu - *Assets can be fixed, but functionality can't.* - Disc Channel - *Assets can be fixed, but functionality can't.* - Aspect ratio fix: - You can fix two 16:9-compatible titles that are in 43DB with [**WW-43DB-Patcher**](https://github.com/DarkMatterCore/ww-43db-patcher/releases/) - *Aspect ratio and pillarboxing follows correctly signal*, **but**, If for any reason you need aspect ratio unlocked it can be be enabled with new Priiloader hacks: **[Remove Pillarboxing from VC Titles]** and **[Remove Pillarboxing Completely]** - The specific title aspect ratio lock has to be done manually at the moment with supported Title IDs. - **GUI Changes on Mini:** - Create Message button: - Priiloader hack [Create message via Calendar button] can make the Calendar button act as the Create message button, granting access to the hidden options. *This will remove access to the Calendar month view.* - *Still no proper solution to restore original navigation* - Send Button - *Still no solution for this.* - System Options: - *Assets can be fixed, but some functionalities are missing* (Gamecube Menu and SD Card Menu) - Gamecube Menu - *This can be fixed only with the hard mod.* - SD Card Menu - *This can be fixed only with the hard mod, but it is accessible with the Priiloader hack.* - Disc Channel: - Assets can be fixed. - Functionality can't. ## Internet Connection on Wii Mini USB HUB is highly recommended for the Wii Mini. Wii LAN adapter and the [**Ethernet Enabler**](https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Ethernet_Enabler) patch is currently needed to enable the network access. It sets up the `Connection 1` to be the LAN connection. - *This patcher will be soon obsolite with Wii System Settings on Wii Mini patcher* ## Wii System Settings on Wii Mini **The patcher has not been created yet**, but here is the way the menu can be restored. To patch the Wii Mini SM, specific files in the Asset Archive (00000001.app) need to be replaced with the ones from the Wii Asset Archive. <details> <summary>Patcher Concept / How to Patch</summary> **Wii Mini System Settings Patcher** 1) Check SM version (If it is Mini and what Region) 2) If it is Mini continue, if not, message and exit 3) Multi-select: Patch or Restore **Patch** 1) Download Region Specific Wii SM from NUS 2) Check if the backup exists already, if yes, don't backup *(To not overwrite by accident)* 3) Do a SM archive backup and write info on the screen about it 4) Unpack Both Archives 5) Fix: a) **NTSC** - Overwrite Mini Files: - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\style_sheet\US\ENG\index03.html.css` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\style_sheet\US\COM\index02.html.css` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\style_sheet\US\COM\index03.html.css` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\ENG\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\ENG\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\FRA\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\FRA\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\SPA\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\US2\iplsetting.ash\FIX\US\SPA\index03.html` b) **PAL** - Overwrite Mini Files: - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\style_sheet\EU\COM\index02.html.css` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\style_sheet\EU\COM\index03.html.css` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\DUT\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\DUT\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ENG\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ENG\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\FRA\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\FRA\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\GER\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\GER\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ITA\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ITA\index03.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\SPA\index02.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\SPA\index03.html` c) **PAL Auto Power-Down Fix:** - Decompress HTML Auto Power-Down and WC24 files and edit and copy to new location. - Create a copy of `AutoPowerDown.html` , rename it to `LED_set.html` and move it to `WiiConnect24` folder *(Replece the existing `LED_set.html`)* - Decompress the new `LED_set.html` and edit it. *(LZ77 Compression, Offset=4 , Size=4)* - Replace both `href="../index02.html"` instances with `href="Wiiconnect24_index.html"` and recompress - Do the same with `Wiiconnect24_index.html` but replace <code> scope="col">Slot Illumination</th> </code> with <code> scope="col">Auto Power-Down</th> </code>. *Now you will have the access to the Auto Power-Down menu in the place where the not-needed Slot Illumination menu was.* *Files are are located here:* - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\DUT\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\DUT\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ENG\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ENG\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\FRA\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\FRA\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\GER\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\GER\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ITA\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\ITA\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\SPA\AutoPowerDown\AutoPowerDown.html` - `\00000001\html\EU2\iplsetting.ash\EU\EU\SPA\WiiConnect24\LED_set.html` 6) Repack 7) Replace old `00000001.app` with the newly created one. 8) Display Message and Exit </details> ## Installing the .WADs on vWii Here is some fact checking: - Official titles *(Non-essential Wii system titles, WiiWare channels, Virtual console titles, Arcade titles...)* work and can be installed on vWii without a problem. - [**Installing Essential Wii System titles by overwriting the vWii ones will lead to vWii bricking**](https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Title_database#00000001:_Essential_system_titles) - **Installing Wii IOS by overwriting the vWii IOS (vIOS) can lead to the vWii brick.** - Installing Forwarers and Custom Channels is... a more complicated story. **You will not brick if you install custom channel or a forwarder that is working on a Wii**, but however, it might not boot properly if it has outdated custom nand loader and you would just get stuck on the black screen after starting the channel. - Installing a channel with a broken banner would lead to the [**Banner brick.**](https://wiibrew.org/wiki/Brick/Banner_brick) *(Same thing as on Wii)* *Good thing is that almost every brick on vWii can be fixed with [the vWii Decaffeinator.](https://github.com/GaryOderNichts/vWii-Decaffeinator)* ## Forwarders and Custom Channels on vWii New version of ModMii was released! It can convert forwarders to be universal now. Rember that mot every homebrew forwarder can be universal but ModMii can fix majority of the legacy ones. Some official forwarders will be updated soon. For developers who want to create universal fowarder check out [**OpenDolBoot**](https://wiibrew.org/wiki/OpenDolBoot). **The updated WiiGSC ModMii edition** uses universal nand loader.*(nboot AKA Normal Boot that is set by default with OpenDolBoot)* so forwarders can be installed on all platforms. [**The OSC**](https://oscwii.org/) will soon have all of the channel forwarders compatible with Wii AND vWii. **Currently**, you can use [**WiiForwarder2vWii**](https://gbatemp.net/download/wiiforwarder2vwii-wii-forwarder-to-vwii-wii-u-forwarder-converter-beta-version.37254/) to convert old Wii forwarders and make them compatible with vWii. **REMEMBER: Video mode forcing forwarders channels with Custom NAND Loaders DO NOT WORK ON vWii and are not need recommended!** They are still used for legacy VC launcher and single channel forwarders that will be updated in the future. ## Additional System Channel Patches for vWii and Mini These channels are needed to fix missing features and can be restored via [**System Channel Restorer**](https://github.com/Naim2000/system-channel-restorer) or ModMii. They will restore missing IOS61 too. *Alternative is NUSGet or NUS Downloader.* ### Wii Shop Channel for Wii Mini (Region Specific) Needed for opening EULA channel if the System Settings is not patched. ### EULA Channel for vWii and Wii Mini (Region Specific) Needed for enabling WC24 on some vWii devices, or changing the WC24 country. Needed on Mini for enabling WC24. ### Mii Channel for vWii and Wii Mini (Region free) Mii Channel can be restored easily. vWii and Mini use exact same cut-down version of channel. This will re-enable all of the missing features. - Wiimote Mii transfer works - To enable "Connect to DS" in Mii Channel press A, B, 1, and then press and hold 2 - Wii Friend (Sending and receiving Miis) is working if you setup WiiConnect24. *Just remember to uninstall the vWii Mii Channel first. (Your Mii's are safe, they are kept separately)* ### Working Photo Channel 1.1 on vWii Installing Photo Channel 1.1 results in: "This Card is Not Usable" since the IOS61 is not present on vWii. Missing IOS61 and the needed channels can be restored via System Channel Restorer too. Old method was [**Photo Channel Upgrader**](https://github.com/Naim2000/photo_upgrader/releases) that is now deprecated. --- --- ## WiiLink ( Previously known as RiiConnect24, Queen of the Andals and the First Men, Protector of the Seven Kingdoms, the Mother of Dragons... ) - [WiiLink Site](https://www.wiilink24.com/) - [Download Patcher from here](https://github.com/WiiLink24/WiiLink24-Patcher/releases) ### WiiLink Patched Channels - **Nintendo Channel** Revived Nintendo Channel - **Forecast Channel** New and Expanded version of Forecast Channel - **News Channel** Revived News Channel - **Everybody Votes Channel** Revived Everybody Votes Channel - **Check Mii Out Channel** Revived Check Mii Out Channel - **Wii Room** Translated Japanese Wii Exclusive (*Has an issue with PAL vWii devices atm!*) - **Digicam Print Channel** Translated Japanese Wii Exclusive - **Food Channel** Translated Japanese Wii Exclusive, Real and Fake delivery options. - **Kirby TV Channel** Channel revival. - **Set Personal Data** It is needed for Translated Japanese Wii Exclusive channels to work. - **Region Select Channel** Patched region selector channel. ### vWii Timestamp fix Hack For some WC24 Channels to work properly, a Priiloader hack needs to be generated and added to the end of the `apps/priiloader/hacks_hash.ini` You can generate the hack [**HERE**](https://garyodernichts.github.io/priiloader-patch-gen/) ### Mail Patcher - [Latest Wii Mail Patcher](https://github.com/RiiConnect24/Mail-Patcher/releases/) ### Enabling Wii Mail on vWii To get the Wii Mail working currently, you will need **Priiloader** with the enabled hacks: - **[Create message via Calendar button]** - **[Wii System Settings via Options Button]** - **[Permanent vWii System Settings]** And - Latest version of **Wii EULA Channel** installation for your region. **OR** - **[Create message via Calendar button]** - **[Always enable WiiConnect24 on boot]** - Not recommended, In case you don't want permanent settings and/or play WiiU Wii VC games and/or don't need EULA to be accepted to use WC24. ***(Do not enable [Permanent vWii System Settings] in this case)*** ### Enabling WC24 and Wii Mail on Wii Mini **WC24 and Wii Mail service is provided by WiiLink but is still not officially supported on the Mini!** **To enable WC24:** 1) Install Wii Shop Channel for Wii (Region specific from SCR or NUS) 2) Install EULA for Wii (Region specific from SCR NUS) 3) Open the Wii Shop Channel and accept EULA 4) Enable WC24, Standby (Idle) power mode with the [Settings Editor GUI](https://oscwii.org/library/app/Settings-Editor-GUI) *Note: If you patched your System Settings steps 3 and 4 can be activated normally and Settings Editor GUI is not needed.* **To enable the Wii Mail:** 5) Run the Mail Patcher 6) Enable **[Create message via Calendar button]** in Priiloader Hack Menu --- --- # **Huge thanks to:** DacoTaco DarkMatterCore GaryOderNichts Lynx64 NinjaCheetah playerjmr saulfabreg thepikachugamer vaguerant XFlak WiiLink Team **...A lot more people from the community that are helping others every day**