How to Install the WAD Channel on the Wii

By Cassie Skelley

Updated September 22, 2017

Items you will need

  • WAD Manager

  • SD card

  • WAD files

WADs are files that are installed onto the Nintendo Wii as channels. These channels can be The Shop Channel, Internet Channel, Mii Channel and Weather Channel, among many other game channels. The WAD Manager allows you to install custom WAD channels, such as emulator channels, and even homebrew application channels. You can install the channels on your Wii using WAD Manager. The Homebrew Channel needs to be installed on the Wii you are attempting to use WAD Manager on.

Put an SD card into your computer.

Click on "Start," select "My Computer" and right-click on the SD card.

Select "Format" from the menu, and click on the box "FAT32" to format the SD card to be recognized by the Wii.

Click on "Quick Format," and select "Format" to format the SD card.

Navigate to the File Trip website, and click on "Download selected version" to download WAD Manager to your computer.

Extract the file to a directory on your computer.

Create a folder on the root of your SD card, and name it "WADS."

Place your WAD files in the WADS folder that you want to install to the Wii main menu as a channel.

Create a folder on the root of your SD card named "Apps" if you do not already have one.

Place the WAD Manager file into the "Apps" folder by dragging and dropping the file.

Insert the SD card into your Wii console, and power it on.

Go to the Homebrew Channel, and press "A" to start the channel.

Browse for the WAD Manager, and press "A" on the channel to launch it.

Use the directional pad to select "IOS249" from the "Select IOS" prompt.

Choose the SD card as the device for the WAD Manager program to browse for your WAD files.

Click on the specific WAD file you would like to install, cursor down to "Install WAD" and press "A."

Wait for the installation to finish. Larger WAD files can take several minutes.

Reboot the Wii by pressing the "Home" button on the Wiimote.

Return to the Wii main menu to see your newly installed WAD channel.

Tips

Installing the Homebrew Channel to your Wii voids your warranty. Use WAD files that you have purchased. Piracy is illegal.

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