Checkpoint

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What Checkpoint is

Checkpoint is a free C++ save-management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch. It backs up and restores 3DS cartridge and digital saves, extdata, DS cartridge saves, DSiWare, GBA Virtual Console saves, and saves from played Switch titles. Its console interface offers light and dark themes, configurable favorites and filters, and settings for extra save folders. Backups can be accessed through background FTP, moved wirelessly between consoles, or transferred from a Switch to a PC through a USB MTP server. The chlink command-line companion transfers backups over a local network and has dependency-free executables for Windows, macOS, and Linux; wireless transfers use a four-digit PIN shown on the console. Users can run C scripts from the SD card through a built-in interpreter and API for titles, saves, files, network requests, JSON, and interface dialogs. Bundled scripts support Google Drive and WebDAV synchronization and Sharkive cheat management. The project lists nine languages and is licensed under GNU GPLv3 with additional terms 7.b and 7.c.

Who it suits

It is for Nintendo 3DS and Switch users who need local save backups, restoration, transfers, or scripting. It also suits users wanting Google Drive, WebDAV, or cheat-management scripts.

What it does well

Backs up multiple 3DS and Switch save types
Supports FTP, wireless, and USB MTP transfers
Runs C scripts through a built-in API
Bundled Google Drive and WebDAV syncing
Free and multi-platform companion tools

What to know first

3DS version does not support hax-based launchers
Forgotten encryption passphrases cannot be recovered
Vault encryption does not protect against other homebrew
Restore options are manual

Limits

On 3DS, Checkpoint supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers, but not hax-based Homebrew Launchers. Its encrypted credential vault does not protect against other homebrew running on the same console, and a forgotten optional passphrase cannot be recovered.

Getting started

Visit the Checkpoint GitHub project page.
Use the version for Nintendo 3DS or Switch.
For local-network PC transfers, use the chlink companion for Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Configure favorites, filters, or additional save folders on the console.
Run bundled scripts for Google Drive or WebDAV syncing if desired.

Verdict

Checkpoint offers broad save coverage, transfer methods, and scripting for supported 3DS and Switch setups. Its compatibility limits and homebrew security caveats matter when choosing it.

Questions

Does Checkpoint cost anything?

Checkpoint is free.

Which systems does it support?

It manages saves for Nintendo 3DS and Switch. Its chlink PC companion is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What can it back up?

It handles 3DS cartridge and digital title saves, extdata, DS cartridge saves, DSiWare, GBA Virtual Console saves, and saves for played Switch titles.

Can it sync backups to cloud storage?

Bundled scripts support syncing to Google Drive or an existing WebDAV server. The Google Drive script uses the drive.file scope.

Is Checkpoint open source?

The repository says it is licensed under GNU GPLv3 with additional terms 7.b and 7.c.

What are the 3DS compatibility requirements?

The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers. It does not support hax-based Homebrew Launchers.

Facts from Checkpoint's own pages

3DS compatibility limit: The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers; hax-based Homebrew Launchers are not supported. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Backup and restore: It backs up and restores 3DS and Switch save data, with support for several 3DS data types including extdata, DS cartridges, DSiWare, and GBA Virtual Console titles. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Backups: It backs up and restores 3DS cartridge and digital title saves, extdata, DS cartridge saves, DSiWare, GBA Virtual Console saves, and saves for played Switch titles. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Cloud integrations: Bundled scripts can sync backups to the user's Google Drive or an existing WebDAV server. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit: The 3DS version supports CFW and Rosalina-based Homebrew Launchers; hax-based Homebrew Launchers are not supported. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Credential security: The scripting API can store secrets on the SD card encrypted with a console-bound key and, optionally, a user-selected passphrase. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Credential storage: The Google Drive script stores credentials in an AES-256-GCM encrypted vault whose key uses console-specific material; an optional passphrase is off by default and has a minimum length of eight characters. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Desktop companion: The chlink command-line companion transfers backups over a local network and is available as a dependency-free executable for Windows, macOS, and Linux. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Google Drive access: The Google Drive script uses the drive.file scope, which the documentation says limits access to files it creates. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Integrations: Bundled scripts support save syncing to Google Drive or a WebDAV server, and cheat management using the Sharkive database. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Interface: The app has a redesigned interface with light and dark themes and console-based settings for favorites, filters, and additional save folders. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Interface and settings: The app has light and dark themes, configurable favorites and filters, and settings managed directly on the console. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
License: The repository says the project is licensed under GNU GPLv3 with additional terms 7.b and 7.c. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Purpose: Checkpoint is a homebrew save management framework for Nintendo 3DS and Switch, written in C++. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Scripting: Users can run C scripts from the SD card through a built-in interpreter and API for save data, files, network requests, JSON, and interface dialogs. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Scripts and API: Users can run C scripts from the SD card through a built-in interpreter and API for working with titles, save data, files, network requests, JSON, and the interface. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Security limitation: The maker's documentation says the vault encryption does not protect against other homebrew running on the same console, and a forgotten passphrase cannot be recovered. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Support: The README directs users to check whether an issue is already addressed, report the error code and reproduction steps, or join FlagBrew’s Discord for real-time support. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Supported languages: The shared feature set lists English, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, and Chinese. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Transfer protection: Wireless transfers with the chlink PC companion are protected by a four-digit PIN displayed on the console. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026
Transfers: It provides background FTP access to backups, wireless transfers between consoles, and on Switch a USB MTP server for transferring backups to a PC. · github.com, 8 Oct 2026

Where Checkpoint stands on Freedom251

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