⭐ How to Use Cheats Safely on Nintendo DS Emulators (Complete Guide)
Protect your save files, avoid crashes, and use cheats the right way.
Cheats can make Pokémon games more fun — whether you want rare candies, faster leveling, walk-through-walls, or other Action Replay codes.
However, using cheats incorrectly can break your game, corrupt your save file, or cause your emulator to crash.
This guide explains how to use cheats safely, which types of cheats to avoid, and how to protect your progress on PC, Android, and iOS.
🛡️ 1. What You Need to Know Before Using Cheats
Before activating any cheat:
✔ Always make a backup of your save file
This is the #1 rule.
A corrupt save means:
-
Lost Pokémon
-
Reset progress
-
Broken game
Most emulators have save files with extensions like .dsv, .sav, or internal states.
How to back up:
-
On PC (DeSmuME):
Go to your emulator folder → copy the “Battery” or “Save” folder → paste it somewhere safe. -
On Android (DraStic):
DraStic > backup→ copy the folder. -
On iOS (Delta):
Long press a game → Export Save File → save to Files.
⚙️ 2. Safe Types of Cheats
Some cheats rarely cause issues. These are recommended:
✔ Item Cheats
-
Rare candies
-
Master balls
-
Medicine items (potions, revives)
-
Pokéballs
These modify your bag only — very low risk.
✔ Money Cheats
Infinite money is safe because it only affects your wallet, not game data structures.
✔ Fast EXP / EXP Multiplier
Safe if used moderately. Avoid extreme values (like 100x).
✔ Encounter Modifier (Used Carefully)
Letting you choose the Pokémon you encounter.
Safe as long as:
-
You don’t spawn glitched Pokémon
-
You don’t enable multiple encounter codes at once
-
You catch Pokémon meant for your game version
✔ Walk Through Walls (Short Use)
Safe if:
-
You disable it immediately after use
-
You don’t clip into void areas too far
❌ 3. Dangerous Cheats You Should Avoid
These can corrupt saves or crash your emulator.
❌ Shiny Cheats
High risk!
They can:
-
Corrupt wild encounters
-
Break trainer battles
-
Destroy your save if used before catching Pokémon
❌ Max IV/EV Cheats
Some versions:
-
Overwrite Pokémon data incorrectly
-
Cause Pokémon to disappear
-
Break stats permanently
❌ All Badges Cheats
Instantly breaks story progression.
❌ Modify Pokedex
This can:
-
Softlock events
-
Cause errors in Platinum/HeartGold
-
Break National Dex unlocking
❌ Complete PC Storage Cheats
Never use these. They can:
-
Replace your entire PC box
-
Delete stored Pokémon
-
Crash your game immediately
🖥️ 4. How to Use Cheats Safely on PC (DeSmuME)
📌 How to Add Cheats
-
Open DeSmuME
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Go to Tools > Cheats > List
-
Click Add
-
Paste your Action Replay code
-
Check Enabled
📌 Safe Practices
-
Add ONE cheat at a time
-
Test the effect before adding more
-
Never combine cheats that modify the same data (example: two EXP cheats)
📌 How to Disable a Cheat
-
Go back to Cheat List
-
Uncheck the cheat
-
Restart the game if needed (important)
📱 5. Using Cheats Safely on Android (DraStic DS Emulator)
📌 How to Add Cheats
-
Start a game
-
Tap the menu icon
-
Choose Cheats
-
Select from built-in codes or add custom ones
DraStic automatically detects Action Replay codes for most Pokémon games.
📌 Safe Practices
-
Stick to DraStic’s built-in cheat list
-
Avoid long code lists copied from random websites
-
Disable cheats before saving normally
🍎 6. Using Cheats Safely on iOS (Delta Emulator)
📌 How to Add Cheats
-
Open your game
-
Tap the menu button
-
Select Cheats
-
Tap + and paste Action Replay codes
📌 Safe Practices
-
Use only Action Replay codes verified by the community
-
Avoid cheats affecting story progression
-
Export saves regularly to iCloud or Files
🧠 7. Best Safe Cheat Codes for Pokémon Games
Here are examples of generally safe cheat categories (not codes):
✔ Rare Candy
✔ Master Ball
✔ Money
✔ Fast EXP (x2 or x4)
✔ Walk Through Walls (use temporarily)
✔ No random encounter
✔ Max BP (for Battle Frontier)
✔ Encounter specific Pokémon (used carefully)
These rarely damage your save.
🔥 8. Tips to Avoid Save Corruption
Follow these rules to stay safe:
✔ Always disable cheats before:
-
Entering the Elite Four
-
Saving normally
-
Fighting rivals
-
Starting important events (Legendaries)
✔ Don’t combine multiple encounter cheats
✔ Don’t run shiny cheat + encounter modifier together
✔ Don’t toggle cheats rapidly
✔ Don’t save inside glitched areas
✔ Always test with save states first
⭐ 9. How to Recover from a Bad Cheat
If something goes wrong:
✔ Restore backup save
This instantly resets everything safely.
✔ Delete risky cheats
Restart the emulator afterward.
✔ Load an earlier save state
(Useful if autosave got corrupted.)
⭐ Conclusion
Using cheats in Nintendo DS games can be fun — but only if you use them safely.
To protect your game:
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Back up your saves
-
Avoid dangerous cheats
-
Enable cheats only when needed
-
Disable them before major events
-
Use reputable emulators with stable cheat systems
Whether you're playing Pokémon Platinum, HeartGold, or any other DS classic, following these guidelines ensures your game stays safe and enjoyable.
⭐ How to Use PKHeX Safely (Complete Guide for Pokémon Platinum & HeartGold)
Learn how to edit your Pokémon save files without damaging them.
PKHeX is a powerful tool used to edit save files from Pokémon games, including Platinum, HeartGold, and other Nintendo DS titles.
You can use it to modify Pokémon, money, items, boxes, trainer info, and more — but unsafe use can corrupt your game permanently.
This guide explains exactly how to use PKHeX safely, what to edit, what to avoid, and how to protect your save file from breaking.
🛡️ 1. What Is PKHeX?
PKHeX is a save editor, not a cheat code program.
This means it directly edits your save file data (SAV) instead of editing memory during gameplay.
✔ What PKHeX can do:
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Modify Pokémon stats, IVs, EVs
-
Change movesets
-
Give items
-
Edit Pokédex completion
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Change trainer information
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Teleport the player
-
Change money & BP
-
Import/export boxes
-
Create legal-looking Pokémon
✔ What PKHeX cannot do:
-
It does not load ROMs
-
It does not emulate games
-
It does not download Pokémon or ROMs
🗂️ 2. How to Use PKHeX Safely
Before you edit anything…
⭐ Always back up your save file first
This is the most important rule.
✔ On DeSmuME (PC):
-
Go to
File > Export Backup Memory -
Save your
.savfile somewhere safe -
Make a copy before editing
✔ On DraStic (Android):
-
Go to
DraStic > backupfolder -
Copy your
.dsvfile to another location
✔ On Delta (iOS):
-
Long press your game → Export Save
-
Backup the file in iCloud/Files
If PKHeX corrupts your file, your backup will save you.
⚙️ 3. Safe PKHeX Edits That Won’t Break Your Game
These edits are considered very safe and rarely cause corruption:
✔ Edit Money
No issues. Works on all DS games.
✔ Give Items (Pokéballs, Potions, Evolution Stones)
Totally safe — just don’t add “glitch” items.
✔ Adjust Player Inventory
TMs, Berries, Medicine, Battle Items = safe.
✔ Modify Trainer Info
Name, ID, SID, gender — safe as long as you don’t edit mid-game events.
✔ Change Pokémon IVs, EVs, Nature
Safe as long as:
-
EVs stay under 510 total
-
No impossible combinations (PKHeX warns you)
✔ Edit Movesets
Safe if moves are legal for the species.
✔ Create Legal Pokémon
PKHeX has a legality checker.
Green checkmark = good
Red warning = unsafe or illegal data
✔ Edit your PC boxes
Very stable. No risk unless you insert glitched Pokémon.
❌ 4. Dangerous PKHeX Edits to Avoid
These can break your save, softlock events, or make Pokémon disappear.
❌ Editing Your Location (Warping Anywhere)
This is one of the most dangerous options.
Warping to:
-
Hall of Origin
-
Glitch maps
-
Distortion World early
-
Locked rooms
…can permanently softlock your game.
❌ Editing Story Flags
Never toggle:
-
“Event completed” switches
-
Gym badges
-
Rival events
-
Legendary encounters
-
Pokédex flags
-
National Dex unlock flags
Editing these wrong breaks story progression.
❌ Editing Mystery Gifts
If the wondercard format is wrong, your save may fail to load.
❌ Creating “illegal” Pokémon
Examples:
-
Level 1 Dialga
-
Moves the Pokémon cannot learn
-
Impossible encounters
-
Wrong ability slots
-
Invalid PID/IV combos
PKHeX warns you — do not ignore warnings.
❌ Over-maxing stats
Setting stats to unrealistic values can:
-
Cause crashes
-
Make Pokémon disappear
-
Break online battles (if using Gen 6+)
🧪 5. How to Use PKHeX to Edit Pokémon Safely
Step 1: Load Your Save
Open PKHeX → File > Open → select your .sav or .dsv.
Step 2: Pick a Pokémon
Click a Pokémon slot in your party or PC.
Step 3: Make Safe Edits
You can safely modify:
-
IVs (0–31)
-
EVs (max 510 total)
-
Nature
-
Ability (legal only)
-
Moves (legal only)
-
Held items
-
OT/TID
-
Location met (legal only)
PKHeX will show a green checkmark when everything is valid.
Step 4: Save the File
Go to File > Export SAV.
Step 5: Load the Save in Your Emulator
Replace the old save with the edited one.
📝 6. Tips for Safe PKHeX Use
✔ Keep your backups organized
Always save your backups as:
✔ Don’t edit during important story moments
Wait until you are in a Pokémon Center.
✔ Never use PKHeX + Cheat Codes at the same time
Cheat codes modify memory.
PKHeX modifies save data.
Using both together can cause conflicts.
✔ Do not edit eggs into fully evolved Pokémon
This can cause glitches in Platinum/HGSS.
✔ Let PKHeX autofill data whenever possible
Click the “Fix Invalid Data” option for safety.
⭐ 7. Advanced Safe Edits (For Experienced Users)
These are safe if you know what you’re doing:
✔ Batch Editing Boxes
Changing EV spreads, moves, natures for many Pokémon at once.
✔ PID / Encryption Constant Editing
Safe as long as PKHeX shows green legality.
✔ Trash Bytes
Mostly for advanced accuracy (Gen 3-4).
Safe, but not necessary.
🚫 8. Unsafe PKHeX Practices That Will Break the Game
Avoid these completely:
❌ Editing daycare data
❌ Editing hidden values like “steps walked”
❌ Setting “Seen/Caught” for all Pokémon instantly
❌ Changing save version or save size manually
❌ Editing Pokéwalker data (HG/SS)
❌ Using illegal forms (e.g., Origin Giratina outside Distortion World)
⭐ Conclusion: PKHeX Is Safe — If You Use It Correctly
PKHeX is incredibly powerful and safe when used responsibly.
If you follow these rules:
✔ Always back up your save
✔ Only edit legal data
✔ Don’t touch story progression
✔ Don’t warp your character
✔ Don’t ignore legality warnings
…you can enjoy cheats, custom Pokémon, and quality-of-life features without ever risking your save.