Tap the System Settings icon on the HOME Menu and select Open. Select Other Settings from the drop-down menu. For Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 3DS XL, and Nintendo 2DS, tap the right arrow three times until you reach page four, then choose Format System Memory. Then press Format to destroy the data.
Tap the wrench icon on the bottom home screen for access to Settings. Then choose “Other Settings” from the drop-down menu. After that, scroll all the way down to the very bottom of the page and pick “Format System Memory.” It will ask if you’re ready to connect to the internet before it begins formatting your system memory.
Even if you format your 3DS, all of your data will be lost except for possible photos and sound recordings and you will be unable to re-download it for free from the eShop, even if it is on an SD card.
Remove the SD card from its slot. The SD card slot is on the left side of the original Nintendo 3DS.
To hard reset a Nintendo 3DS, hold down the Power button until it shuts off. This might take up to 10 seconds. A full reset, on the other hand, is something different than a system update. If you’re having issues with your device, a system upgrade or factory reset may be required.
