Jailbreaking the PlayStation 5: what is it and how does it work?
You often read: “the PS5 has been jailbroken”. But what does that actually mean, and what’s the point? This page explains it calmly, without a step-by-step guide. On the next page you’ll read about the risks, the rules and what you should do instead.
What is a jailbreak?
A game console like the PlayStation 5 only runs software that Sony has approved and digitally signed. That’s a deliberate choice: it protects games against copying and keeps the system stable. With a jailbreak, someone uses a flaw in that security to run software that Sony normally doesn’t allow, such as homebrew programs, emulators and certain system tools. Such a flaw is called an exploit.
What do you need?
The most important thing is the firmware version of your console. Not every version can be jailbroken.
| Component | Explanation |
|---|---|
| PS5 model | Disc Edition, Digital Edition, Slim or Pro. The hardware differs, but the firmware version is decisive. |
| Firmware | Determines whether a method exists. |
| USB drive | May be needed for certain methods. |
| Computer | Sometimes needed to execute an exploit. |
| Internet | Depends on the method. |
How does that work in broad terms?
A console is secured on multiple layers. A jailbreak therefore usually consists of multiple flaws used in sequence: first an entry point that allows a small piece of custom code to run, then a flaw in the operating system itself that grants more privileges, and only then can the system run programs that Sony hasn’t approved.
Different types of exploits exist:
- WebKit exploits: use vulnerabilities in the components that display web pages.
- Kernel exploits: attempt to gain access to protected parts of the operating system.
- BD-J exploits: use vulnerabilities in the Java environment of the Blu-ray player.
- Homebrew loaders: let you launch custom software after a suitable exploit has been used.
Not every exploit delivers a complete jailbreak. Sometimes you can only run limited homebrew, without full access to the system. We deliberately omit the technical details: they differ per firmware version, and Sony fixes such flaws with updates.
Not always permanent
A jailbreak is not always permanent. With some methods you have to execute the exploit again after every restart of the console.
Why does everything depend on the firmware version?
Every update of the system software (firmware) can fix flaws. An exploit therefore usually only works on certain, older versions. If your console has a newer version, such an exploit no longer works. Sony also doesn’t offer a way to go back to an older version, so an update cannot be reversed.
You can find your firmware version on the console at Settings → System → System Software → Console Information.
What’s the current situation?
Status as of October 11, 2026. This changes quickly and is based on news reports, not on our own tests.
| Firmware | Status |
|---|---|
| 7.00 through 13.60 | A public method is known (Relapse, released on September 29, 2026). According to reports, it works on all models, including the Slim and the Pro. |
| 14.00 | According to reports, this update closes the vulnerability that method uses. |
| 14.10 and newer | No confirmed public method known. |
Sources: HotHardware and iPhoneSoft. Always check current, reliable sources first.
Should I turn off updates then?
Anyone who wants to keep the possibility of a jailbreak open doesn’t install new firmware. But that has a price: updates also contain security improvements, and for online gaming or new games sometimes the latest version is needed. Also keep in mind that Sony doesn’t offer a way to go back to an older version.
What can you do with it?
- Homebrew: homemade programs and games by hobbyists.
- Emulators: run old games you own yourself.
- Customize: change settings and components that Sony normally locks.
- Research and learning: many jailbreaks originate from security research into how such a system works.
Known homebrew projects
Homebrew is regular, legal software that hobbyists make themselves. These programs only work on a console that has already been jailbroken, and therefore not on a regular PS5. Here’s what they do, not how to install them.
- etaHEN (project page): a “homebrew enabler”: a basic program that makes running homebrew easier. It includes a utility menu, an FTP server to exchange files, debugging settings and plug-in management.
- ItemzFlow: an open-source alternative menu for a hacked PS5 or PS4, where you find and launch homebrew programs.
- ProsperoStore: a place where PS5 homebrew programs are distributed, similar to an app store.
- RetroArch and other emulators: to play old games you own yourself. Which emulators actually work depends on the console version and the method.
Source: Wololo, a news site about the homebrew scene. The projects change quickly; we only explain here what they are. The link points to the project page of the creators; we don’t offer anything to download ourselves.
What a jailbreak is not
- Not a way to get free games. Copying or downloading games you haven’t bought is piracy and illegal, even if it’s technically possible.
- Not a simple action. Anyone selling a “jailbreak service”, or promising it can be done in one click for your firmware version, is often a scammer.
- Not a permanent guarantee. A next update can lock everything down again.