EMV Chip Tutorial How To Encode A Blank Card From Legitcarders

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How to Encode a Chip & Magstripe Card Without Losing Your Mind

So, you wanna encode a card with both a chip AND a magnetic stripe. Not rocket science, but there’s a parade of gadgets you need to wrangle first. Here’s what you gotta round up:

What You’ll Actually Need

• Omnikey card reader/writer. This lil’ guy handles chip business like a champ.
• Magnetic Stripe Card Reader/Writer. The MSR605X is what everyone uses. There’s probably a thousand on eBay.
• A computer or laptop (duh).
• Blank card: J2A040, and make sure it’s “unfused” or you’re doomed from the jump.

Yeah, you can scoop all this stuff off Amazon or whatever. No secret hardware club required.

You’ll also need the track data…the actual numbers that make your card tick:

• Track 1: Example — 4300232765346056^SURNAME/NAME^25053100837291034845
• Track 2: Example — 4300232765346056=25053100837291034845

Got that? Good. Software time: You’ll be running stuff like MSRX, ARQC Gen, Cardpeek, X2a, Jcop English, and ATR Tool 2.0. All the hits.

Alright, let’s do this. Plug everything in, fire up your laptop, grab your beverage of choice, and follow along.

Step 1: Write the Magnetic Stripe First

• Fire up MSRX (run as admin, unless you enjoy Windows yelling at you).
• Plug in your MSR605X and make sure it says “Device Online!” If not—good luck.
• Slam that Track 1 and Track 2 data into the fields in MSRX.
• Click “Write”, swipe your blank card through.
• Double check by hitting “Read”—make sure it spits back EXACTLY what you put in. No wonky numbers.
• All good? Awesome. Close MSRX, unplug the reader.

Step 2: Now It’s Chip Time

• Hook up your Omnikey and start Jcop English.
• Smash “Delete jcop files” so your card’s a blank slate.
• Close Jcop, open it up again (I know, I know), and throw your Track 2 data into the “Track number” field.
• Jcop usually figures out the card type (Visa, Mastercard, magic beans, whatever).
• Hit “Format Jcop chip” and wait for the “JCOP CHIP FORMATTED WITH SUCCESS” pat on the back.
• Punch “Save Track jcop chip” and wait ‘til the Omnikey’s little light chills out.
• Don’t yank your Omnikey yet—close Jcop English first.

Step 3: Card ATR Stuff (Don’t Skip)

• Boot up ATR Tool 2.0 and pick your Omnikey in the “Reader” tab.
• “JavaCard” tab: select JCOP J2A040 (if you’re using something else, that’s on you).
• Figure out your bank using a BIN checker (those first 6 digits), pick that bank in the “Default” tab.
• Smash “Set”, close ATR Tool.

Step 4: X2a Time: The Real Chip Info

• Open X2a, drop your Track 2 data into—wait for it—the Track 2 field.
• Name time: use the name bit from Track 1 (like SURNAME/NAME).
• There’s a bit for “Application Label” (ten letters max), get it from your BIN lookup (VISADEBIT, VISACREDIT, etc).
• Click your card type (MASTERCARD, VISA, AMEX…you know the drill).
• Make sure “Omnikey” is the selected writer.

Now, set the rest of the chip stuff:

• Next to “Expiration Data”, hit “Change Data” and put in your expiry (250531 = May 31, 2025, for example).
• AID field: For Visa, it might be 31010. Google around if you don’t have yours; don’t just guess.
• Pop the PIN in, too. (You have the PIN, right?)
• Country code/currency (0840 for US/USD).
• Smash “Credit”—look for “Completed job!” or you’ll be stuck forever.

Step 5: Hit the “IST LOAD” Tab in X2a

• Click “Open…” and find your IST file for this BIN.
• Fill in ALL the boxes (Track 2, Cardholder Name, Application Label, Country Code, Currency). Triple check for typos.
• Don’t get lazy here—mistyped data = sad times.

Step 6: Generate ARQC, Burn the Chip

• Fire up ARQC Gen, toss in your card number under “Pan”.
• Pick the right country/currency, stick the expiration under “Date.”
• Click “Generate ARQC”; copy whatever mess of letters pops up.
• Paste that code into X2a under “ARQC 1.”
• Double-check EVERYTHING—then click “Burn.”
• Wait for “Completed Job!”

Step 7: Optional: Sanity Check with Cardpeek

• Why not make sure you didn’t just make a digital coaster? Cardpeek’s your friend. Pick “EMV” under “Analyzer”, let it scan with Omnikey.
• Takes about 5 minutes. If it’s stuck forever, something went sideways.
• Look through your data: “Usable at ATM” or whatever you’re expecting.

That’s it! You did it. Card’s got a burning new magstripe and chip, ready for whatever. If some part of this went bananas…honestly, double check your data and try again. Don’t rage-quit until you’ve had at least two coffees.