The term "AES key" relates to the encryption used by the 3DS for certain types of data. Citra requires access to these keys to properly decrypt and load games. The AES keys are typically stored in a file named aes_keys.txt . This file is crucial for Citra to function, as it allows the emulator to decrypt game data.

This paper explores the technical functionality of the aes_keys.txt file within the Citra Nintendo 3DS emulator environment. Specifically, it addresses the concept of "portability"—the ability to transfer this keyfile between different operating systems and Citra installations without loss of functionality. We examine the role of AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) keys in 3DS content decryption, the file format specifications, and the deprecation of manual key management in favor of automated hardware abstraction extraction.