InkLink

Download

Get the latest version from Releases:

• Desktop App (macOS / Windows)
• Nintendo 3DS app (SD-ready zip)

Quick Start

1. Download InkLink Desktop from Releases and run it.
2. On first run, allow required permissions:

• macOS: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility
  • Windows: allow InkLink through Firewall if prompted

3. Click Start in the Desktop app (UDP listener).
4. Put the 3DS app on your SD at /3ds/inklink-3ds/ and launch it from Homebrew Launcher.
5. Touch the 3DS screen → the preview dot should move on Desktop.
6. Press SELECT on the 3DS to switch modes (osu!/Illustrator).

Tip: Make sure your PC and 3DS are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Turn your modded Nintendo 3DS into a lightweight touch input device for osu! and creative apps (Illustrator/Figma) over Wi-Fi (UDP).

Demo

Screenshots

✅ Required: a modded 3DS with Homebrew Launcher (able to run .3dsx homebrew).
❌ If your 3DS is not modded / has no Homebrew Launcher, InkLink will not work.

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What InkLink does

InkLink has two parts:

• 3DS homebrew app: reads touchscreen + buttons and sends data over UDP
• Desktop app (macOS/Windows): receives data and controls mouse/keyboard

Modes & Controls

OSU! Mode

• Touch = aim cursor
• Hold L while touching = click/hold (streams / sliders)
• Release L = release click
• Press SELECT = toggle mode (also updates the desktop UI)

Illustrator Mode

• A → Selection (V)
• X → Pen (P)
• Y → Brush (B)
• Hold L → click/drag (drawing + moving points)
• Hold R → spring eraser (Shift+E), release R → back to last tool
• B → Undo (Ctrl/Cmd + Z)

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Requirements

Nintendo 3DS

• Modded Nintendo 3DS / New 3DS
• Homebrew Launcher installed and working
• SD card access (to copy files)

PC

• macOS or Windows
• Both 3DS and PC must be on the same Wi-Fi
• Firewall must allow UDP port 4545

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Installation — 3DS (Homebrew Launcher)

You must copy the InkLink 3DS app to your SD card so it appears in Homebrew Launcher.

SD card structure

Create this folder:

• /3ds/inklink-3ds/

Put these files inside:

• inklink-3ds.3dsx
• inklink-3ds.smdh (icon + metadata)

Final result:

• /3ds/inklink-3ds/inklink-3ds.3dsx
• /3ds/inklink-3ds/inklink-3ds.smdh

Then:

1. Insert the SD into your 3DS
2. Open Homebrew Launcher
3. Launch InkLink

Tip: If the icon doesn’t update, exit/re-enter Homebrew Launcher or reboot the 3DS.

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IMPORTANT — Set your PC IP in the 3DS app ⚠️

InkLink works only if your 3DS sends packets to your computer’s local IP address (example: 192.16x.1.xx).

Find your IP

• macOS: System Settings → Network → Wi-Fi → Details → IP Address
• Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Wi-Fi/Ethernet → Properties → IPv4 address
• Or terminal/cmd: ifconfig (macOS) / ipconfig (Windows)

Set it in main.c

On your PC, open the 3DS homebrew project and edit:

source/main.c and find the lines:

#define TARGET_IP "192.xxx.x.xx"
#define TARGET_PORT 4545

Replace the IP with your current PC IP, then rebuild and copy the updated .3dsx + .smdh to the SD card. Leave the port as 4545 unless you changed it in the desktop app too.

Rebuild the 3DS homebrew

In the 3DS project folder, run:

gmake clean
gmake

This will generate updated files, typically:

• inklink-3ds.3dsx
• inklink-3ds.smdh

LAST STEP: Copy the updated files to your SD card

Place them here:

• /3ds/inklink-3ds/.

Desktop App (macOS / Windows)

1. Open InkLink
2. Press Start
3. Launch InkLink on the 3DS
4. Touch the 3DS screen: If the preview dot moves, the connection is OK

macOS permissions (required for mouse/keyboard control)

System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility

IMPORTANT:Enable InkLink (or “Electron” while developing). If it still doesn’t move: toggle off/on and restart InkLink.

Windows firewall

When prompted, allow InkLink through Windows Firewall (Private network). If no prompt appears: Windows Security → Firewall → “Allow an app”.

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Troubleshooting

Dot doesn’t move:

• wrong TARGET_IP
• different Wi-Fi networks
• firewall blocking UDP 4545

Dot moves but cursor doesn’t:

• macOS Accessibility not enabled
• OS security blocking input control

Feels shaky / jittery (osu!)

• increase OSU Stability slider
• improve Wi-Fi signal

If it worked yesterday, your IP probably changed. DHCP is a drama queen lol

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Credits

Troubleshooting

• No movement / no input
  • Ensure PC and 3DS are on the same Wi-Fi network.
  • Check firewall allows UDP on port 4545.
• macOS: mouse/keys don’t work
  • Enable Accessibility permission for InkLink.
• Windows: input blocked
  • Try running InkLink as Administrator and allow it through Windows Firewall.
• Lag/jitter
  • Improve Wi-Fi signal, reduce interference, and tweak smoothing/stability settings (if available).

Credits

Created by Elena Vasienti (GitHub: Redkush01).

If you redistribute or fork this project, you must keep the original copyright notice and the MIT License.

FAQ

Q: The dot moves but the mouse/keys don't work (macOS).
A: Enable Accessibility for InkLink: System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility.

Q: Nothing arrives on Desktop.
A: Make sure PC and 3DS are on the same Wi-Fi, and allow UDP port 4545 in your firewall.

Q: Is this affiliated with Nintendo or osu!?
A: No. This is an independent community project. Use at your own risk.

Community

For setup questions and general help, use Discussions (recommended).
Use Issues for bugs and concrete feature requests.

Project

• Changelog: see CHANGELOG.md
• Release notes template: see .github/RELEASE_TEMPLATE.md