Is it still possible to trade Pokemon DS games online?

Yes, supported Pokemon DS games can trade online through unofficial community DNS services. Official Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection shut down on May 20, 2014, so this is not the original Nintendo service.

Do Pokemon DS games need WEP Wi-Fi?

Gen 4 games and DS or DS Lite hardware usually need open or WEP 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Pokemon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 can often use WPA or WPA2 when played on DSi or 3DS hardware.

Can Windows Subsystem for Linux create a DS-compatible hotspot?

Usually no. WSL networking is virtualized and Windows controls the built-in Wi-Fi radio. Use a Linux live USB, native Linux install, or full VM with a passed-through USB Wi-Fi adapter for reliable DS-compatible hotspot creation.

No. Open and WEP Wi-Fi are insecure legacy modes. Use them only temporarily for DS compatibility, isolate the network where possible, and disable the hotspot after use.

StarMe DNS Documentation

Quick start

Online trading can still work. Official Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection ended on May 20, 2014, but community DNS services can route supported games to replacement servers. StarMe DNS is an unofficial community service, not Nintendo's original service.

Connection setup wizard

Tell us what you have. We will tell you exactly what to tap.

Answer up to three questions. You will get one short checklist for your game, console, and internet device.

Question 1 of 3

JavaScript is off. Use this basic checklist.

For Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, or SoulSilver, prepare a temporary 2.4 GHz open or WEP network.
For Black, White, Black 2, or White 2 on DSi or 3DS, use the console's normal WPA/WPA2 connection. On DS or DS Lite, use a 2.4 GHz open or WEP network.
On the console, search for Wi-Fi and select the exact same network name (SSID) that you set on the hotspot or router.
Open the connection used by the game. Turn Auto-obtain DNS off.
Enter Primary DNS: 161.35.72.83 and leave Secondary DNS blank or set it to 0.0.0.0.
Save, run the connection test, and then open the online feature in the game.

Compatibility

The most important setup detail is not the DNS address. It is whether the game can join your Wi-Fi network at all.

DS / DS Lite	Use 2.4 GHz 802.11b/g with open or WEP security. WPA, WPA2, WPA3, 5 GHz, and enterprise networks are not compatible.
DSi / 3DS + Gen 4	Diamond, Pearl, Platinum, HeartGold, and SoulSilver still use the older DS Wi-Fi path. Use a DS-compatible open or WEP connection.
DSi / 3DS + Gen 5	Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 are DSi-enhanced. On DSi or 3DS hardware they can usually use the system's WPA/WPA2 settings. On DS or DS Lite they still need open or WEP Wi-Fi.
Emulators	Use the emulator's Wi-Fi support and make every emulated DS use a unique MAC address. Two clients sharing the same default MAC can connect but fail during trades or battles.

Open and WEP networks are insecure. Use them only for the DS, avoid personal traffic, isolate the network if your router supports it, and turn the hotspot off when you are done.

Device guides

Choose the setup path that matches the device you actually have. The goal is always the same: create a Wi-Fi network the game can join, then set StarMe DNS inside Nintendo WFC Settings.

Android phone

Often the easiest path if your phone can create an open 2.4 GHz hotspot. Set the hotspot security to none, connect the DS, set StarMe DNS, then turn the hotspot off afterward.

Home router

Create a temporary guest SSID on 2.4 GHz, use open or WEP only if your hardware allows it, and isolate guests from your home LAN. Disable the SSID after playing.

Windows PC

Windows Mobile Hotspot usually uses modern WPA security, which Gen 4 and DS/Lite setups cannot join. Prefer a router, Android phone, Linux live USB, or full Linux machine.

Windows + WSL

WSL is useful for Linux tools and diagnostics, but it normally cannot turn the built-in Windows Wi-Fi card into a DS-compatible access point. Use a Linux live USB or a full VM with a USB Wi-Fi adapter passed through instead.

Linux

Linux is the best fallback when you need an open or WEP hotspot and your router or phone cannot make one. NetworkManager can share internet over a compatible Wi-Fi adapter.

macOS / iPhone

Modern Apple hotspots generally do not expose DS-friendly open or WEP modes. Use Gen 5 on DSi/3DS with WPA where possible, or use a router, Android phone, or Linux setup.

Windows users without Android: the most reliable no-install path is a Linux live USB. Boot Ubuntu or Fedora in "try" mode, connect upstream internet by Ethernet or a second adapter, then use the Linux hotspot guide below.

Linux hotspot guide

Use this path when you need a DS-compatible open or WEP hotspot and your phone or router cannot create one. These commands assume NetworkManager and a Wi-Fi interface named wlan0.

Use this for temporary DS access only. Open and WEP hotspots are legacy modes. Keep the SSID simple, use 2.4 GHz, and shut the connection down after testing.

Check that the adapter can run access point mode

iw list | less

# Look for this under "Supported interface modes":
# * AP

Find the Wi-Fi interface name

nmcli device status

# Common names are wlan0, wlp2s0, or wlx...

Create an open DS hotspot with NetworkManager

nmcli connection add type wifi ifname wlan0 con-name starmeds-open autoconnect no ssid StarMeDS
nmcli connection modify starmeds-open 802-11-wireless.mode ap 802-11-wireless.band bg 802-11-wireless.channel 6
nmcli connection modify starmeds-open ipv4.method shared ipv6.method disabled
nmcli connection modify starmeds-open wifi-sec.key-mgmt none
nmcli connection up starmeds-open

Create a WEP hotspot when open Wi-Fi is not accepted

nmcli connection add type wifi ifname wlan0 con-name starmeds-wep autoconnect no ssid StarMeWEP
nmcli connection modify starmeds-wep 802-11-wireless.mode ap 802-11-wireless.band bg 802-11-wireless.channel 6
nmcli connection modify starmeds-wep ipv4.method shared ipv6.method disabled
nmcli connection modify starmeds-wep wifi-sec.key-mgmt none wifi-sec.wep-key0 1234567890 wifi-sec.wep-tx-keyidx 0 wifi-sec.auth-alg open
nmcli connection up starmeds-wep

Troubleshoot the hotspot

If the DS cannot see the hotspot, confirm the adapter is using 2.4 GHz and try channels 1, 6, or 11.
If the hotspot appears but the test fails, keep IPv4 sharing enabled and confirm the Linux machine has working upstream internet.
If WEP is unstable, test an open hotspot first. Some drivers expose AP mode but handle legacy WEP poorly.

Turn the temporary hotspot off

nmcli connection down starmeds-open
nmcli connection down starmeds-wep

Use StarMe DNS features

GTS and live exchanges

Use the in-game Global Trade Station after the DNS setup succeeds. The web exchange pages show current Gen 4 and Gen 5 activity.

Mystery Gifts

Open Mystery Gift from the game and choose the Nintendo WFC option after setting StarMe DNS. Check the web list first so you know what is currently available.

Mystery Gifts

Wi-Fi Room and Pal Pad

Returning saves may need Pal Pad migration so the server returns the same WFC profile id the save expects. Emulator users should also set unique MAC addresses.

Wi-Fi Room migration

Battle Tower

Browse trainer cards, rank rooms, and ratings from uploaded or synced battle facility data. Use these pages to inspect records and teams outside the game.

Poke Bank, Team Catalog, and Pokedex

Review trainer memories, boxes, competitive presets, and catalog entries before arranging trades or tower runs.

Common errors and fixes

20110	The game is still trying to reach the discontinued official Nintendo WFC path, or the custom DNS is not being used. Recheck the connection slot, turn Auto-obtain DNS off, and enter StarMe DNS as Primary DNS.
52000 / 52100	The DS joined the access point but failed IP, DNS, or internet routing. Keep IP address on automatic, confirm DHCP works, and test the hotspot with another device.
DS sees no hotspot	The network is probably 5 GHz, WPA-only, hidden, or using a channel/adapter mode the DS cannot scan. Use 2.4 GHz, simple SSID names, channels 1/6/11, and open or WEP security for legacy games.
Test passes, game fails	Make sure the game is using the same connection slot you tested. On DSi/3DS, Gen 4 games ignore the advanced WPA-only system slots.
60000 / profile error	The save may expect an older WFC identity. Use the Wi-Fi Room Pal Pad migration path if you want to keep the friend code, or reset local WFC data if you want a fresh identity.
Trade or battle stalls	Both players should reconnect, confirm both Pal Pad codes are saved, wait 15-30 seconds before retrying, and ensure emulator users do not share the same default MAC address.
86420	This usually points to peer-to-peer routing, firewall, or NAT trouble during direct sessions. Try a different network, avoid VPNs, and test one player on a phone hotspot or different router.

FAQ

Is it still possible to trade online?

Yes, through unofficial community DNS services for supported games. Official Nintendo WFC has been shut down since May 20, 2014, so this is not the original Nintendo service.

Do I need WEP?

Only if your game and hardware cannot use a better connection. Gen 4 and DS/Lite setups usually need open or WEP Wi-Fi. Gen 5 on DSi/3DS can often use WPA/WPA2.

Can I use an iPhone hotspot?

Usually not for Gen 4 or DS/Lite setups because modern iPhone hotspots do not provide DS-compatible open or WEP modes. Use a router, Android phone, or Linux hotspot instead.

Can WSL create the DS hotspot?

Usually no. WSL networking is virtualized and Windows still controls the built-in Wi-Fi radio. WSL can help with tools, but a Linux live USB, native Linux install, or full VM with a passed-through USB Wi-Fi adapter is more reliable.

Is open or WEP Wi-Fi safe?

No. Treat it as a temporary compatibility bridge for the DS. Use a guest network, avoid sensitive traffic, keep it short-lived, and turn it off when finished.

Why does Gen 5 behave differently?

Black, White, Black 2, and White 2 are DSi-enhanced games. When played on DSi or 3DS hardware they can use newer system Wi-Fi settings, while older hardware still uses DS-era Wi-Fi limits.

References

These references cover the console connection paths, hotspot controls, Linux commands, emulator networking, Nintendo WFC shutdown behavior, and WSL limitations used by this guide.