This article explains how to change the PS3 firmware (also known as "jailbreak"). Modifying the PS3 allows you to install game mods, use cheat codes, install third-party applications and play video games that would not normally be read by the console (burned discs). Remember that modifying the original PS3 firmware violates Sony's terms of use for the product, so playing online while the console is modified may be banned from PlayStation Network. It should be noted that some PS3 models, such as the Slim versions and all Superslim versions, cannot be modified.
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Initial Steps
Step 1. Download the file to perform the firmware change
Visit the following website! BkoFhAya! ZZTtKn2zrPLVgyJ6lZ-9_UgjoayrbQBv8sJVR57zIx4 using your computer internet browser, click on the red button Download, then click the link Allow if the browser asks you for authorization to download the indicated file to your computer. At the end of the download the ZIP archive with the files to perform the modification will be stored on the computer.
Downloading the file to make the change will take some time, so you should perform this step in advance before continuing with your preparations
Step 2. Format a USB stick with the "FAT32" file system
Select the "FAT32" option from the "Format" drop-down menu when configuring the format procedure. This way you will be sure that the memory unit can be used by the PS3 without any problem. Remember that formatting a USB stick permanently erases all content on it.
- The USB drive you choose should have a capacity of at least 8GB.
- When formatting of the key is complete do not remove it from the computer.
Step 3. Determine the model of the PS3
Look at the back and bottom of the console for the serial number. It consists of the initials "CECH" followed by a series of numbers (or an alphanumeric code consisting of an initial letter and some numbers).
Step 4. Compare the serial number of your PS3 with that of the supported models for editing
PS3 models that can be modified include:
- Fat - all PS3 "Fat" models can be modified;
- Slim - if the first two numbers that appear after "CECH" are "20", "21" or "25" and if the firmware version currently installed on the console is 3.56 or earlier, the console can be modified;
- Super Slim - no PS3 Superslim can be modified.
Step 5. Determine if the PS3 uses NAND or NOR memory
Based on the serial number of the console you can determine the type of memory installed on the PS3, which in turn determines the type of custom signature (aka "CFW") you will need to install:
- Fat - if the first letter after "CECH" is "A", "B", "C", "E" or "G", it means that the console is using NAND memory. In all other cases there will be a NOR memory.
- Slim - all PS3 Slim models use NOR memory.
Part 2 of 6: Create the Firmware Verification Unit
Step 1. Extract the contents of the ZIP folder you downloaded in the first steps of the previous section (the folder that contains the files for editing)
The procedure to follow varies depending on the operating system of the computer:
- Windows - open the ZIP file, click on the tab Extract, click on the button Extract everything, then click the button Extract located at the bottom of the dialog box that appeared. The folder that was extracted from the ZIP archive will be opened automatically at the end of the data decompression procedure.
- Mac - double-click the ZIP file to extract the data it contains. The folder containing the data extracted from the ZIP file will be opened automatically at the end of the data decompression phase.
Step 2. Go to the folder named "Step 1"
Double-click the directory PS3 Jailbreak Kit, then double-click the folder Step 1 - Minimum Version Checker.
Step 3. Copy the "PS3" folder
Click on the folder named PS3 to select it, then press the key combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac) to copy it.
Step 4. Paste the "PS3" folder inside the USB stick you prepared in the first section of the article
Access the USB drive by clicking on the corresponding name displayed at the bottom of the left side of the "File Explorer" window (on Windows) or "Finder" (on Mac), click on an empty spot in the box on the right side of the window in question and press the key combination Ctrl + V (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (on Mac). Once the "PS3" folder has been copied to the USB stick, you can continue.
Step 5. Disconnect the USB stick from the computer
Now that the USB drive is configured to be used by the PS3 you can use it to check the compatibility of the firmware currently installed on the console.
Part 3 of 6: Check PS3 Compatibility
Step 1. Plug the USB stick into the USB port on the PS3 located on the far right of the front of the console
This is a very important step, as using any of the other USB ports the firmware verification procedure will fail.
Step 2. Display the firmware version number on the screen
Select the icon Settings From the main console menu, choose the option System update, select the item Update via storage media and finally press the button OK when required.
Step 3. Review the firmware version number
The number displayed to the right of the "Update data of version" entry must be "3.56" or less.
If the version number of the firmware currently installed on the PS3 is higher than "3.56", you will not be able to modify the console. Remember that doing so will damage it irreversibly
Part 4 of 6: Create the Installation Unit
Step 1. Plug the USB drive back into your computer
Now that you are sure that the PS3 can be modified you can proceed to create the installation drive.
Remember that if the firmware version currently installed on the console is higher than 3.56 you will not be able to modify the PS3 as doing so will render the device unusable
Step 2. Delete the "PS3" folder from the USB stick
Select with the mouse and press the "Delete" key or select it with the right mouse button and choose the "Delete" option from the context menu that will appear.
Step 3. Go to the "Step 2" folder
Open the directory PS3 Jailbreak Kit you extracted from the initial ZIP archive, then double-click the folder Step 2 - 4.82 Rebug & Jailbreak Files to open it.
Step 4. Copy the contents of the "Step 2" folder directly to the USB stick
Click anywhere in the window and drag the mouse cursor to draw a selection area that includes the "flsh.hex" file and the "PS3" folder, then press the key combination Ctrl + C (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + C (on Mac). At this point, access the USB stick again and press the key combination Ctrl + V (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + V (on Mac).
Step 5. Disconnect the USB stick from the computer
At this point you can perform the actual modification of the PS3. Connect the key to the console and do not disconnect it until the modified firmware installation procedure is complete.
Part 5 of 6: Install the Modified Firmware
Step 1. Connect the USB key to the USB port on the PS3 located furthest to the right
The USB drive must remain connected to the console until the modification procedure is complete.
Step 2. Launch the PS3 browser
Select the icon www displayed on the console dashboard.
Step 3. Set the "Blank Page" option as your browser home page
Follow these instructions:
- Push the button Triangle of the controller;
- Select the item Tools;
- Choose the option Main page;
- Select the item Use blank page;
- Push the button OK.
Step 4. Delete the temporary files
This is a very important step that if not done will cause an error when you try to download the modified firmware file (CFW). For each type of temporary files follow these instructions:
- Cookie - press the button Triangle controller, select the item Tools, you choose Delete cookies, then choose the option Yup when required.
- Search history - press the button Triangle controller, select the item Tools, you choose Delete search history, then choose the option Yup when required.
- Cache - press the button Triangle controller, select the item Tools, you choose Delete cache, then choose the option Yup when required.
- Authentication information - press the button Triangle controller, select the item Tools, choose the item Delete authentication information, then choose the option Yup when required.
Step 5. Select the browser address bar
Push the button Select of the PS3 controller.
Step 6. Type the URL shown
Type one of the following three web addresses into the browser bar and press the button Start. Be aware that you may need to try using each of the three URLs listed below before you find the one that works:
- https://ps3.editzz.net/;
- https://redthetrainer.com/ps3/norNandWriter;
- https://ps3hack.duckdns.org/;
- You must be patient and determined as you test the URLs provided, as they are unlikely to work the first time you try to use them within the PS3 browser.
Step 7. Select the type of memory the console uses
You will have to choose the option NAND or NOR, depending on the type of PS3 you have.
If you are using the https://ps3.editzz.net/ website, you will need to access the tab first Choose Console displayed at the top of the screen.
Step 8. Insert the download page in your browser bookmarks, then close the application
Push the button Select of the controller and select the option add to favourites from the menu that will appear. At this point, press the button Circle of the controller and select the option Yup when required.
Step 9. Access the firmware download page again
Launch the console browser, press the button Select of the controller, select the URL you previously bookmarked and choose the option OK when required.
Step 10. Select the Write to Flash Memory item
It is located at the bottom of the web page. This way the custom firmware (CFW) will be downloaded to the console.
Step 11. Wait for the installation to complete
When the green "SUCCESS…" message appears at the bottom of the web page, the firmware installation is complete.
- If the green "SUCCESS…" does not appear at the bottom of the page, select the item again Write to Flash Memory.
- If the green "SUCCESS …" has appeared correctly, but the PS3 is locked, wait 10 minutes. If after the indicated time the console is still locked, restart it and try to repeat the firmware installation for NOR or NAND memories.
Step 12. Wait for the PS3 to shut down
When the modica firmware has been correctly installed on the console, the console will emit a beep and automatically turn off after a few seconds (in some cases it may take several minutes).
Part 6 of 6: Modifying the PS3
Step 1. Restart the PS3
After the console has been off for a few minutes, use the PS3 synced controller to turn it back on.
If you are asked to authorize the PS3 to restore "corrupted" files, select the option OK when requested and wait for the procedure to finish.
Step 2. Select the menu item Settings
It features a toolbox icon and is located at the top of the screen. In order to select it, you may need to scroll the menu to the left.
Step 3. Choose the System Update option
The PS3 menu of the same name will appear.
Step 4. Select the Update via storage media item
This will cause the console to scan all connected USB drives for a valid firmware update for the system.
Step 5. Choose the OK item when prompted
This will start the actual PS3 modification procedure. The firmware on the USB stick connected to the console will be used to perform this step.
Step 6. Wait for the new modified firmware to be installed
This phase can take up to an hour to complete, so be patient. When the editing process is done, you should be redirected to the main console menu where you can start using the new features of your PS3.
If your PS3 crashes or the firmware installation fails, repeat all the steps in this section at least two more times. If the problem persists, try downloading the CFW firmware from one of the other two websites provided in the "Installing Modified Firmware" section of the article
Advice
- Being able to successfully modify a PS3 is a process that must be done by trial and error. Firmware installation on the console will almost certainly fail on the first attempt. If the above procedure fails, try again at least 2-3 times before giving up.
- You can use your modified PS3 to install any type of program, for example home screen applications or backward compatible video games.
Warnings
- If you try to install CFW firmware on an incompatible PS3, the console will stop working and may be unusable forever.
- After modifying your PS3 you will no longer be able to access the PlayStation Network. If you do this anyway, your account (and even the console itself) may be banned from Sony's online service (this means you will no longer be able to play multiplayer).
