PS4 Jailbreak: What It Is and How to Do It

Most digital devices operate with a combination of hardware and software, and the software often includes restrictions that prevent users from performing unauthorized actions. When individuals bypass these controls to enable features or functions not normally allowed, this process is called jailbreaking.

Tip: The PlayStation 4 (PS4) is no exception to this rule. Like other devices, it consists of hardware and firmware, which is the software responsible for running the system.

Jailbreaking isn’t entirely illegal by itself, but it does come with risks. While downloading pirated games is illegal, the act of jailbreaking alone voids your device’s warranty, meaning you will no longer receive official updates or support from the manufacturer.

Pros and Cons of Jailbreaking a PS4

Pros

There are several advantages to jailbreaking a PS4. Many users opt for it to gain access to features that the standard firmware doesn’t offer:

Access to Free or Cheaper Games: Once jailbroken, you can bypass the PlayStation Store’s payment systems, allowing you to download and play games at no cost or at a reduced price.
Backward Compatibility: By default, the PS4 does not support backward compatibility, meaning you can’t play PS2 or PS3 games. Jailbreaking, however, allows you to install and play these older games on your console.
Customization Options: Jailbreaking opens the door to customizing your PS4 experience. You can install preferred ROMs, download custom themes, and use mods in games, enhancing gameplay and personalizing the console’s interface to your liking.

Cons

Despite the benefits, jailbreaking comes with notable downsides that should be considered before proceeding:

No Online Play: Once your PS4 is jailbroken, you will lose access to online multiplayer games like Warzone, Apex Legends, or MMORPGs such as World of Warcraft and Skyrim.
Void Warranty: The moment you jailbreak your PS4, your warranty is voided. This means that if you encounter any hardware or software problems, Sony’s customer service will not provide any support, and you’ll be responsible for all repairs or troubleshooting.
Inability to Play New Games: Many upcoming games won’t be available to you unless they are pirated versions, which comes with its own legal and ethical concerns. You won’t be able to enjoy new titles through the official PlayStation channels.
Risk of Being Banned: Attempting to log in to your PS4 account on a jailbroken console could result in a ban from the PlayStation Network (PSN). You’ll be unable to access services like PSN’s multiplayer features, cloud saves, and game purchases, cutting off many benefits that come with using a legitimate console.

Should You Jailbreak Your PS4?

The PS4 has built-in restrictions that limit what users can install and play on the system. Jailbreaking removes these restrictions, allowing users to install games from a USB drive and transfer games between the internal hard drive and an external hard drive (HDD 3.0).

However, it’s important to remember that jailbreaking is an unofficial modification, which can lead to problems. Voiding your warranty is one major consequence, meaning that if your console breaks or develops issues, you’ll be left without any official support.

How to Jailbreak a PS4

Jailbreaking is only possible on PS4 consoles running firmware version 6.72 or earlier. If your console has a higher firmware version, jailbreaking becomes more difficult or even impossible.

Tip: Keep in mind that newer firmware versions cannot typically be jailbroken or hacked due to updated security features.

To begin the jailbreaking process, you will need a USB drive with at least 1GB of free space. Additionally, you’ll need an extraction tool for managing the necessary files.

Follow the steps below to jailbreak your PS4:

Download the Jailbreak File: Click here to access and download the appropriate jailbreak file for your PS4.
Transfer the Software: Place the downloaded software on the root directory of your USB drive.
Insert the USB into the PS4: Ensure the PS4 console is turned off before inserting the USB. Then, navigate to Settings > System Update > Update via Storage Media > Proceed after powering the console back on.
Wait for Installation: The PS4 will begin installing the custom firmware from the USB drive.
Restart the Console: After installation is complete, restart your PS4.
Verify the Firmware: Once rebooted, go to the System tab to check if the correct custom firmware has been installed. If successful, your PS4 should now be jailbroken.