How can I fix my "corrupted" Pokemon Moon .sav file from my 3DS from 2016?

Question

I have read a few threads in different areas, but I still can't seem to figure out if my .sav from Pokemon Moon is a lost cause or if it's salvageable. I'd love for someone to look at it with me. I can send it over to you and maybe you can analyze it somehow. Preferably if you can teach me one on one that would be ideal. My Pokemon Moon .sav file is from 2016 from a 3DS I don't have anymore, but I kept the SD card contents. I have found the file. I have since got a new modded 3DS (I modded it myself through the 3DS hacks guide). The modded 3DS runs great and I have all the Pokemon games I want on it. When I try to load my old save file it just says it's corrupt. I've also ran it through PKHEX and get the same message. Anyone able to help?

Comments

- Can you explain the process you used to find the save file? Is https://hax0kartik.github.io/3dsdb/ familiar?
- What do you see when you open the file in a hex editor?
- Exactly what does PKHeX say/do when you load the file?
You will probably not find someone to teach you one on one here, try https://projectpokemon.org/home/forums/forum/82-saves/

---

This is the file path for it:
98834128abce4e07caad4f37d636ca4d
99eb00bb4780137c5355313600035344
title
00040000
00175e00 (Pokemon Moon Title ID)
data (and this is where I found the .sav file)

When I try to load it with PKHeX it says:
"Attempted to load an unsupported file type/size. This could mean PKHeX doesn't support your save file or your save file is corrupt."

---

I asked my brother, who’s a massive nerd and specializes in this stuff:
“Looks like they pulled the save file out of the 3ds's encrypted filesystem instead of exporting it from their old system with something like checkpoint or jksv. I'm not really sure if there's a way to recover without the original 3ds”

---

Man I honestly can't remember what I did, but I wouldn't be surprised if that's what I did. So it sounds like the SD card contents were encrypted to my old 3DS, is that what your brother is thinking? If so there's not really a way to decrypt it huh?... :(

---

Step 1: first load your Pokemon, it should say you have a corrupt save, if you have new save already skip step 1 and 2. delete your corrupted save by pressing B + X + UP button on the save corrupt screen. Step 2: Make new save, play new game until you can save.