How to Backup Your Wii U Games and Data with Dumpling

[@PoutingTrevor]

I modded my Wii U a few years back and while I'm sure I've downloaded Dumpling from the HB App Store, I don't think I've ever used it. I still don't think I need to, but at least I know what it's for now! Just a note to anyone using an external HDD, I have a 2TB drive for use exclusively with the Wii U portion of the console and it's twice as big as it needs to be. 1TB would be more than sufficient, but as mentioned, use one with external power or a Y-cable. This will use both USB ports, but it's necessary. I also have a 2TB HDD to use with the Wii portion of the console and I just swap them out as necessary. I could probably benefit from a larger drive as there's so much the Wii can do and play, but I don't know if there's a limit on HDD sizes that the console can recognise. Anyway, a good video. I'm off sick from work today and I'm becoming a fan!

[@nuthinbutwiiu]

I have a 2TB connected to mine, I've used well over 1TB with Wii U, Wii, Gamecube, N64, Snes, Mega Drive and Master System games.

[@retrobear9367]

This helped soooooo much. ty. I matched my Steam Deck Wind Waker to my saved point on the WiiU. Then I lost my back up. Thank you!

[@GameXData]

Glad I could help!

[@msytix4215]

very informative and thank you for making an easy video to follow

[@GameXData]

No probs! Glad I could help

[@duhmez]

Wonderful101 is officially the best WiiU game btw, as most other games were ported to switch and others, but Wonderful101 really needs the Gamepad screen to play best, irt really does. on the switch version with analog stick, just TRY and draw a CLAW shape with a right analog stil..... not at all easy to do it right.

[@GameXData]

Honestly, full respect for that. I bought Wonderful 101 when it first released and haven't bothered playing the ports to other systems. With how central the gamepad is to gameplay, I can't imagine it feeling good to play with just a regular controller.

[@exekielchek3408]

Bro, great info and really clear explanation... follow and like!

[@aballofgrime7273]

I have hundreds of games from the virtual console on an SD and hundreds others from the Wii U on a flash drive. I can take those two use cemu and play then stick them in a computer to play the games? Will the game pad respond to that? I got Fatal Frame which requires the pad.

[@GameXData]

If those games have been output to your drives using a service like Dumpling, then, yes, you should be able to carry them over. Dumpling (and similar methods) decrypts the game files for use elsewhere. If you were to only have the files downloaded directly from the eShop, you'd run into issues. As for the gamepad, you'd need to get creative. There are technically methods available to make gamepads stream video from other computers. (Moonlight is probably what I've seen folks mention the most.) However, you might have an easier time connecting a secondary display, tablet, or handheld to your computer to mimmic a gamepad instead. I've added a couple links below to examples I've provided folks in the past for wired and wireless setups. In general, Steam Decks tend to be ideal for a gamepad stand-in, but any handheld should work well. Dual Screen Steam Deck setup: kzbin.info/www/bejne/baqvpYeQYpuUeNU Setting up any device for wireless dual screen gaming: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYellnqGhalpiJY

[@Ludecil]

Stored all of my Xenoblade X save data on a USB flash drive before I learned about potential failure. Decided to boot the game up recently, and while it worked a couple of days ago, suddenly it's showing that the flash drive is no longer formatted for the system. How might I retrieve the data without formatting the USB?

[@cceider]

when i try to dump my save file for a game i am able to select the game under the dumpling menu but once i press the plus button it goes black, help???

[@orb-enjoyer4980]

soo, my external ssd had a problem so I formatted it, but not before following this guide to make a backup, I'm using a homebrew system with aroma installed, I checked and all the games and saves are present on the sd card, but now I don't have any idea on how to put the games "back-up" on the external drive (the wii u loads just fine into aroma but obviously there are no games) pls help 🙏

[@GameXData]

If you have your Nintendo Network Id still connected, you should still be able to redownload your games through the eShop. That'd be the easiest method. As for save files, I believe SaveMii is the app you'll need to restore any missing save files.

[@BlindWolf8]

Hi there! Some questions below. But first... Thank you! I really like this idea as my Wii U library is all digital and I would like to keep the system stock. I spent the day going through the two eShops and will probably do it a few more times to make sure I got all the titles that I wanted. * Does this method work for games installed onto a USB drive? I have all my games on there and I don't use the system memory. Can I dump from there? I have read that there's no easy way to back up the external storage I already use so I'm concerned about the future when the drive goes. * For the SD card formatting for those larger than 32 GB, is this the same process for 3DS (FAT32 with 32kb cluster size)? I ask since I just learned about the 3DS formatting today as I finally filled up a 32 GB SD card and needed to get a bigger one. Thanks!

[@GameXData]

Yes and yes. I personally downloaded all my games to a flash drive attached to my machine before dumping them. As long as the drive's formatted to work with a Wii U, it should be treated about the same as internal storage. For the SD card, Cemu's recommendation for larger cards is a FAT32 format with a 32KB allocation (just as you said). Though, if you already have an extra 32 GB card lying around from your 3DS, it might be easier to use that to transfer the games to a larger hard drive. It takes more trips, but also saves you the trouble of buying another card.

[@BlindWolf8]

​@@GameXData Thanks again for your help! This generation I'm more concerned about losing my games due to the mostly digital-only libraries I've built. I'm assuming this is what's going to happen for every console iteration here on out.

[@BlindWolf8]

​@@GameXData I saw today that you don't need the Xenoblade Chronicles X DLC if you have a digital version of the game so that should make things easier for backing up that game.

[@alphaodyssey17]

sorry im a total noob at this kind of stuff. 1. is the thumb drive required? as far as i can tell we only need the sd card for dumping the files and then putting it in the computer. what is the importance of plugging both into the wii u? 2. running this doesnt require any pre installed softwares like homebrew right? thanks in advance and sorry for the noob questions

[@GameXData]

Both are great questions. I use a flash drive to expand my device's storage. If you have a ton of digital titles you want to back up, the extra storage may be convenient. However, it's definitely not required. As for software, you're correcting. When you go to the dumpling website, it'll momentarily run an application, but it disappears when you restart and doesn't require you to have installed any other software or firmware beforehand.

[@alphaodyssey17]

@ thanks man for the quick and helpful reply! good tutorials are hard to come across nowadays, you earned a sub

[@marioneta32]

Thanks a lot for the turorial mate

[@aarona5581]

Do I have to use SD Card or can I just use any flash drive for whole process?

[@GameXData]

Afaik, a flash drive should be fine. The SD card recommendation is mainly to get around the small internal storage size for digital game downloads.

[@matthfarre11]

Is there a way to install those titles back to my Wii U console?

[@TheBlooperTeam]

My Wii U has been starting to fail recently with the 160-0103 code, so I was looking into trying to dump all the saves on it. I also have Wii data because I've got 14 years worth of saved data, I transferred my Wii data back in 2015 when I got my Wii U since my disk drive for my Wii stopped working, I have VC copies of Smash bros 64, Majoras Mask, Super mario bros 1 & 2, will it be possible to dump those Wii files as well to work with an emulator? Also I have saved Wii U data on a USB device, will I be able to dump those as well through the process or will it have to be transferred to the internal storage?

[@GameXData]

Files on USB drives are still dumpable via Dumpling. (I do it all the time.) However, your Wii VC games may not be available through Dumpling. Historically, I haven't been able to back up Wii games (in general) using the software. I think those files are stored in a place inaccessible by Dumpling. It's always worthwhile to give it a shot though. If they are available, you'd see them in your list of installed files next to Wii U titles. If that doesn't work, one other method you might consider is installing customer firmware (guide: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/). Doing so would allow you to dump the entire contents of your system's storage to back up and use elsewhere. I've also read posts from more than a few folks who've used CFW to boot their consoles from external storage to prevent further memory failures.

[@DrinkableTrees]

can i use dumpling to back up a disc to play on my system? or is it only use to cemu?

[@GameXData]

Cemu is the main focus. If you want to play on your system, you'll need to install custom firmware first. Here's a guide to help with that, if you're interested: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/

[@duhmez]

Big question here. I dumped al my games and game saves. BUt how do I restore the save data back to wiiU? When I try, with the WiiU system official interfacte, i tdeletes the game. Example., Wonderful 101. I installed W101 onto WiiU. Then I try to copy my save data from USB, officiasl save, to the system memory, and it DELETES THE GAME. Game in on ysstem memory, save data and dlc is on USB. BUt I have been unable to merge the 2, so the game does not see the save game. ?!?!? ANy ideas??

[@GameXData]

The unfortunate answer is that you'll need to install custom firmware to reinstall games and saves from your backup files. Dumpling is mainly of use for emulation and long-term file storage at this time. If you're interested, here's the link to a custom firmware setup guide: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/

[@duhmez]

@@GameXData TTThx for response. I am using Haxchi to boot into a cfw environment when I need to, wil this suffice? Or will it require q full cfw installation perment style? In the meantime I wil try savbemiimod launched using my haxchi and ssee if that works. Thought I could do offically, maybe u mise cone of my points, I have the proginal official save file, from playing th egame on disc. Official save I can move to or from usb or nand. Created from disc though, pop in a disc, it works perfect. But I instaled disc 2app version to try to avoid needeing the disc to play, but it erases the game when I try to copy the save data over. Makes me wonder is this intended behavbior or a quirk of disc2app dumps? If I had bought a digital copy from esho and sold off my disc, would I stil have been unable to use my old save? OR WOULD THE WII AP STORE HAVE DETECTED THE SAVE AND MERGED THE 2 SUCCESFULLY? This is what i am thinking is going on but not sure, can't find any info online of anyone that has done this. I saw somvme savbemiimod guides it looks pretty doable no problem, mostly super curious abut the causes and reasons for things ^^

[@lexbeltran1354]

To dump botw wii u, the updates and dlc files need to be the ones made for the wii u version?

[@GameXData]

Yes, updates and DLC should be those obtained from the Wii U eShop. Afaik the Switch version's files will be incompatible.

[@alphaodyssey17]

During the dump, it says an error occurred and "failed to read all data from this file" Is there anything I can do to fix this?

[@GameXData]

Probably not, beyond shutting down, double-checking your SD card or game disc, restarting, and trying again. I've had read errors previously either due to scratched disk or my storage acting up. Either time, I've either tried again and it worked, or I had to skip over the game entirely.

[@alphaodyssey17]

@ yeah, pretty sure i have to skip over this game… my disc is over 10 years old I’m pretty sure it’s due to the disc fault

[@terrariano27]

Can you help me? I have a problem, when trying to use Dumpling, with aroma or tiramisu, it says " detected mocha or tiramisu CFW. You can't use SD card acces while using aroma safely" What can i do??

[@GameXData]

Are you using the browser or app version of dumpling?

[@terrariano27]

@@GameXData Thanks for trying to help but i already fixed it haha, i was just not doing it right. I just had to follow the instructions it gave me correctly! But thank you anyway, no much youtubers try to help their comments.

[@lexbeltran1354]

Can I use a disc copy of Wind Waker?

[@GameXData]

Yep! Backing up physical copies of games is one of my main uses for Dumpling.

[@lexbeltran1354]

@@GameXData I want to be able to play WW on my Steamdeck legitimately, rather than the emulation route😀

[@GameXData]

@Lex Beltran The only way to play Wind Waker on a Steam Deck is through emulation.

[@lexbeltran1354]

@@GameXData If we're to buy a copy of botw Wii U, is there a way to get all the dlc?

[@GameXData]

@Lex Beltran Unfortunately, there's no longer a legitimate way to get the DLC for the Wii U version of Breath of the Wild. There weren't any physical versions of the DLC released afaik, and the eShop's permanently closed for purchases. For now, piracy is pretty the only method of obtaining that content on Wii U.

[@kiwigod241]

The website loads and stays at 50%. Is there anything else I need to do? Edit: nevermind i figured it out. Great tutorial

[@CroqueMonsieur67]

Asked for my problem on the official Cemu discord server, but no one knows what to do My dumpling freezes each time i press the "launch dumpling" button on the browser version i do not want to homebrew mi wii u, as it is illegal I use a 8 gigs flash drive formatted in fat32, just like you are supposed to do I tried like 7 times, and waited, like a lot, but it just keeps freezing, and nothing happens HELP !

[@GameXData]

Homebrew isn't illegal. Installing Aroma and the Dumpling app will likely be more reliable. However, through the browser version, the common remedy is to restart your console, clear your browser cache, and try again. If it still freezes, you'd just need to keep trying.

[@CroqueMonsieur67]

@@GameXData Thank ya for responding, but this is what i already do, and it is the 9th time now! And thanks for the homebrew info, it's nice !

[@joncorso6103]

Great video. Is Dumpling still working now that the shop has shut down? Haven't touched my wiiu in a couple of years, starting to worry if I've lost access to the games I own and haven't played yet. Too many games, too little time.

[@GameXData]

Yep! Dumpling has never relied on the eShop. So, you should be able to use it far into the future.

[@joncorso6103]

@@GameXData Great, thanks.

[@michaelc5373]

You know if it's possible to connect a gamepad to your PC and use that for Cemu?

[@GameXData]

I've seen some folks get console streaming working using a modded Wii U and moonlight. Without a ton of modification, I haven't seen any other way to connect a gamepad directly.

[@XshXD]

If I dumped a game and changed things how can I re compile it to install it on my Wii U?

[@GameXData]

It’s a bit beyond the scope of my knowledge, but you’ll definitely need some custom firmware. Maybe check out Wii U Hacks as a good starting point Link: wiiu.hacks.guide/

[@WolfTamer]

I've been trying to dump Xenoblade X but for reason the website says I have 14.9 gb of storage when windows says I have just under 30 gb. Any suggestions on what to do? I uninstalled all of the DLC just to make sure and it still says I don't have enough storage.

[@GameXData]

I've actually had similar problems before with Xenoblade Chronicles X, and I think the problems just managed to go away after I tried enough times with different SD cards. So...I'm not totally sure. Some potential things to try though: 1. If you have multiple storage devices connected to your Wii U, make sure your SD card is actually selected in dumpling. 2. Before your next attempt, delete everything on the card and reinsert it. That plus emptying my trash has been necessary more than a few times for me when using MacOS in particularly. 3. If all else fails, try reformatting your SD card as FAT32. If there are any weird hidden files or memory allocation shenanigans, that might help clear it. If needed, the Cemu dumpling guide provides a specific recommendation about how to format the card: cemu.cfw.guide/using-dumpling.html

[@WolfTamer]

@@GameXData Well, found out the issue. The USB inlet that I was using on my Wii U wasn't working which caused a sort of domino effect on me. I had an SD card that already had some Smash 4 mods installed on it, so I went to the website and kept clicking on the storage location to see if it would switch it to USB instead. The button wouldn't change anything so I assumed it would automatically switch the location over to USB before the transfer. I didn't know the inlet was broken so it would try to dump the game into the SD card and run out of space. It wasn't until I took the SD card out and stick the flash drive in that I realised the inlet wasn't working, so I change it and it worked like a charm! Thanks for the help either way though!

[@GameXData]

@WolfTamer Oh damn, that sucks. I feel like hardware issues are sadly becoming more common as Wii Us age. I'm glad to hear you were able to figure things out and get your backup working!

[@Vivianite02]

So copying those files to Cemu also brings the game's save data?

[@GameXData]

Correct. However, the save data is separate from the game data. (They'll have two different folders on your SD card.) You'll likely have to take the save data you got from Dumpling and manually copy it over to Cemu's save data location ([MLC Path]/usr/save/00050000/[Title Id of game]/user/80000001). Before copying the files, I'd also recommend starting the game in Cemu at least once. That'll allow Cemu to create the necessary folders on your drive and avoid any duplicate work.

[@tojim_]

Can backed up games be read back on initial system ?

[@GameXData]

Yes, but you'll need to install custom firmware first. Here's a link to a guide if you'd like to learn more: wiiu.hacks.guide/

[@mememan3447]

So, can I use the external hard drive instead of the flash drive to do this procedure? I’m a total noob when it comes to this stuff.

[@GameXData]

For sure! You'll want to use a hard drive with external power though. The USB-A connection available with the Wii U typically won't provide enough power to either power on the hard drive or maintain a stable data connection in use.

[@mememan3447]

@@GameXData It’s formatted so it will only act as a hard drive for the Wii U. How do I connect it to an external power source?

[@GameXData]

@mememan3447 You either need a hard drive that has an extra port for external power or a y-splitter to separate your single USB port into two connections

[@nysreme7]

can i take out the disc while dumpling is running (not while the disc is being dumped)

[@GameXData]

Yes, after dumping has completed, you should be able to eject it. However, I've had mixed results trying to insert and dump another disc without restarting.

[@nysreme7]

@@GameXData kk tysm

[@jaredwalton3135]

I really should have done this before the recent update...

[@GameXData]

Which update's giving you trouble?

[@StephenCaie]

Can you play the backed up games on the Wii U with this method? Would like to dump my physical copies on to a high endurance micro SD card via USB adapter.

[@GameXData]

Not exactly. Dumpling would only allow playback with an emulator by itself. To backup games to play on-device, you should consider modding your system. Here's a popular guide for doing that: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/

[@StephenCaie]

@@GameXData Thanks!

[@zultriova89]

Dumpling?

[@GameXData]

That's right, Dumpling

[@PoutingTrevor]

I love dumplings. They're my favourite side dish. Pork, chicken, duck, prawn or vegetable, they're incredibly versatile.

[@IceColdPhoenix]

By the way for anyone trying this in 2025 if the website is not working for you AND you modded your Wii U with AROMA you need to hold R while your Wii U boots to boot the Wii U without Aroma then the website will work.

[@GameXData]

Actually, if you've already installed Aroma, I'd recommend downloading the Dumpling app instead. It's more reliable and easier to use than the website method.

[@Biggerman159]

Yay finally I can play splatoon

[@luxdalet]

Fantastic video! It all worked perfect! It is an indescribable relief to have my precious collection backed up and actually playable on my laptop, even with my save data! Just a noob question, would this work for Wii games as well? or just Wii U? Kinda scared to try it lol

[@GameXData]

Unfortunately, it only works for Wii U games at the moment. If you want to back up Wii games as well, you'll need to mod your system. Here's a guide if you're interested: wiiu.hacks.guide/#/

[@luxdalet]

@@GameXData Thank you so much yet again! Wish all of the dumping processes were as straight forward as the one for Wii U :D