C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\cemu\keys.txt (or wherever you installed Cemu). Troubleshooting keys.txt Issues
The keys.txt file is a foundational, but increasingly outdated, part of the Cemu experience. For those running older or encrypted game dumps, it remains an essential tool. The process is simple: get the keys legally from your console, paste them into a text file, and put that file in the proper directory for your specific setup (Windows, Steam Deck, Batocera, etc.).
The legal status of console keys is murky. Console manufacturers argue that distributing decryption keys violates the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's (DMCA) anti-circumvention provisions. However, laws vary by country. cemu emulator keys.txt
: Download the Tik2SD homebrew application and place it in your SD:\wiiu\apps folder.
As of 2026, the location of the keys.txt file can vary depending on your installation, particularly if you are using specialized setups like on the Steam Deck. 1. Standard Cemu Installation Place keys.txt in the same directory as Cemu.exe . 2. EmuDeck / RetroDECK (Steam Deck/Linux) C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\cemu\keys
The keys.txt file is a plain text document located in the root directory of your Cemu installation. It acts as a database of cryptographic keys that Cemu references whenever you try to load a Wii U game disc image (such as .wud or .wux formats).
Or, more concretely:
Open the text file. Keys must be entered using a strict syntax so the emulator can parse them. The format depends on the type of key you are adding:
Allow the process to finish. Dumpling will create text files on your SD card containing your legitimate keys. Step 2: Create the File in Cemu Connect your Wii U's SD card to your PC. The process is simple: get the keys legally
Highlight and copy the exact data strings located between offset ranges and 0xEF .