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The goal of this guide is to softmod an Xbox 360 as simply as possible, so you can quickly play your favorite games. This guide will not tell you where to find your games.
- You already have your games (ISOs or archives) on your computer.
- You have downloaded TinyXbox360BackupManager to your computer.
- Any Xbox 360 console (Fat, Slim, E) is compatible, as long as it runs the latest dashboard version, 2.0.17559.0 (check it in Settings › System › Console Settings › System Info). If it doesn't, don't panic: the update can be installed at the same time as the mod, see Create an ABadAvatar USB key.
- Disconnect the console from the Internet before running the exploit (Ethernet cable unplugged, Wi-Fi network forgotten) — otherwise you risk an Xbox Live ban.
- Disable automatic profile sign-in: Xbox Guide button → Settings tab → Profile → Sign-in Preferences → turn off Auto Sign-in. This lets the mod trigger on its own at startup, without an already signed-in profile getting in the way. Details: ConsoleMods.
If you have never modded an Xbox 360 before, here is how it works — the same whichever method you choose:
- A small program (the "exploit", here ABadAvatar) runs on its own at the profile sign-in screen when the console starts — no game or special action required.
- This program triggers a chain of other tools that bypass the console's software protections.
- At the end of this chain, a custom dashboard, Aurora, launches instead of the usual Microsoft dashboard. Aurora is where you will find and launch your games.
This runs automatically at every startup, in just a few seconds, as long as the USB key or hard drive that holds it stays plugged into the console (methods A and B below). Method C is no different: the mod must also run at every startup, except that it is installed on the console's own hard drive, so there is nothing extra to plug in.
There are four options available to you, depending on your Xbox 360 and the hardware you have.
| Method | Level | Mod / Games | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. External USB drive | Beginner | Both on an external hard drive, permanently plugged into the console | Games copy quickly; nothing to take apart | External drive permanently plugged in; limited original Xbox compatibility without the compatibility Toolbox |
| B. Internal drive, mod via USB key | Intermediate | Mod on a USB key; games on the internal drive (copied over FTP) | A USB key is enough, very discreet | Slow game transfers (FTP); console and computer must be on the same local network |
| C. Fully internal | Expert | Both on the console's hard drive | Nothing plugged in day to day; very fast transfers | Requires a SATA-to-eSATA/USB adapter; drive must be pulled out to add games (or FTP, slow); not compatible with Bad Storage (storage > 500 GB) |
| D. Peer Pressure (persistent softmod) | New - Experimental | Mod installed in the console's NAND and on its internal hard drive; games on the internal drive (copied over FTP) | Persistent: nothing to plug in, no exploit to re-trigger at each startup; Up to 2Tb drives | Not compatible with Corona and Winchester consoles; requires a mechanical internal HDD; modifies the NAND (risk of an unbootable console — back up NAND and CPU key first); Dashlaunch not supported |
Whichever method you choose, you can always send games over FTP later on (see Method B), as long as Aurora is running on the console.
Once your target is connected in TinyXbox360BackupManager (the connection step depends on the method you chose), adding games always works the same way:
- On the first connection, a Target content storage window opens and suggests the default folders to store your games in. Click Confirm — the app won't ask again.
- Add your games with the + button ("Add new games (ISO / XBLA)") or by drag and drop. The app detects the file type, converts it and copies it to the right place.
- The games appear in the grid. Clicking a game shows the items installed for it (discs, DLC…).
Once in Aurora, a few settings need to be set once and for all (press Start to open Settings):
- Content → Manage Paths: add the folders where the app installs your games (the Toolbox shows the exact path if a folder is missing) with a scan depth of 3 or more — this is what makes your games show up in the Aurora library.
- Assets: downloads descriptions, ratings and box art from the Xbox Live Marketplace for all your games — requires the console to have Internet access. You can reconnect the console to the network once Aurora is running: XeUnshackle automatically blocks access to Xbox Live ("Live Block"), so there is no risk of a ban.
- Profile: lets you set a profile to sign in automatically in Aurora, so you no longer have to select it at every startup.
📸 Screenshot to take: Aurora's Settings → Content → Manage Paths, Assets and Profile screens.
💝 TinyXbox360BackupManager is free and will stay free. A donation helps me keep maintaining it.
