As detailed above, the safest method is to dump your own collection.
If a physical figure’s chip becomes corrupted or "dead," a corresponding dump file can sometimes be used to rewrite and fix the toy using tools like NFC Tools or an Arduino setup.
The most common method involves using an official Portal of Power (from Xbox, PlayStation, or Wii) and connecting it to a PC. Windows doesn’t natively know how to talk to the portal, so the community created (such as those originally found on the Skylanders: Spyro's Adventure PC disc or modified open-source drivers) to allow the PC to read the portal as an HID (Human Interface Device).
Legal and ethical considerations
Creating digital dump files of physical figures that you legally own for personal backup and emulation use generally falls under fair use protection in many jurisdictions.
What do you currently own? (e.g., Flipper Zero, Android phone, USB reader)
The chosen skill tree path and unlocked abilities. skylanders dump files
If you do not have a PC portal, you can use an Android smartphone equipped with an NFC reader.
| Offset (hex) | Size | Description | |--------------|------|-------------| | 0x00 | 0x10 | UID + Magic | | 0x10 | 0x20 | Write counters & lock bits | | 0x30 | 0x20 | Owner data (hashed) | | 0x50 | 0x20 | Figure type, variant, region | | 0x70 | 0x20 | Nickname (ASCII, null-terminated) | | 0x90 | 0x20 | Experience, level, money | | 0xB0 | 0x200 | Quest flags, skill unlocks | | 0x2B0 | 0x10 | Hat equipped | | ... | ... | ... | | 0xFF0 | 0x10 | Checksum (varies by game version) |
For those interested in modding, dump files are a gateway. Tools like the allow users to reset a character's progress to "factory new," manipulate its stats, or study how the game's figure-based anti-piracy measures work in titles like Skylanders: Swap Force . As detailed above, the safest method is to
This is the most common use case. For years, the only way to play Skylanders: Giants or Swap Force on a PC was to own the physical disc and portal. However, with emulators like and RPCS3 (PS3) , players are preserving these games. Some modified versions of emulators have been patched to recognize "dump files" instead of requiring a physical portal. This means players can enjoy Skylanders without digging the USB portal out of the closet every time they want to play.
He checked the misprinted Whirlwind’s dump last. The one with the upside-down wing. The one he bought for fifty cents at a garage sale.