Can a PS3 Be Jailbroken? [CFW 4.90 Guide]

Released in late 2006, the PlayStation 3 still has a fervent following as gamers have the option of jailbreaking the console to customize it in all sorts of ways!

However, before we proceed, know that PS3 jailbreaking is against Sony’s ToS, so you will quickly get banned if you go online with a modified device.

With that in mind, let’s dive into the how-to sections!

Which PS3 Models Can Be Jailbroken?

Before moving onto the step-by-step jailbreaking guide, note that not every PS3 model can be fully jailbroken since some cannot utilize custom firmware. For that reason, we’ve compiled a handy list outlining all PS3 models and what works best with them:

1. PS3 Fat (Standard)

2. PS3 Slim

3. PS3 Super Slim

As you can see, you cannot install a custom jailbroken firmware on PS3 Slim 3XXX and PS3 Super Slim 4XXX versions. That said, you can still use Homebrew software on these latter models with PS3HEN. But, PS3HEN is not a full jailbreak as it doesn’t grant access to certain system sections that allow installing a full CFW (custom firmware).

How to Jailbreak a PS3?

How do you go about jailbreaking your PS3? It’s simple, and all you have to do is follow several straightforward steps. Keep on reading for the step-by-step guide below.

1. Update Your PS3 to Version 4.90

Before doing anything else, update your PS3 with the latest System Software Update 4.90, which Sony released at the end of February 2023:

1. Start your PS3 and navigate to ‘Settings’ → ‘System Update’;
2. Press ‘Update via Internet’ and wait for the process to complete;
3. Restart your PS3 to ensure the update went through okay.

While the method above is the simplest, you can also update your PS3 manually:

1. Download the latest update file;
2. Format a USB drive in FAT32;
3. Place the file in the following folder structure: ‘PS3’ → ‘UPDATE’;
4. Insert the USB drive in your console;
5. Navigate to ‘Settings’ → ‘System Update’;
6. Press on ‘Update via Storage Media’.

Wait for the process to complete before moving on to the next step.

2. Prepare for the Jailbreaking Process

First, you must download the PS3 Jailbreak Kit .zip folder, as you will need it to check your console’s jailbreaking compatibility.

source: mega.nz

While the file is downloading, format a larger USB flash drive with a FAT32 file system and look for your PS3 model number on the back or the bottom of the device. With it, you can refer to the tables above to see whether or not your PS3 is jailbreak-friendly.

You should also check whether your PS3 uses NAND or NOR flash memory since it determines the exact firmware you can use. While all Slim models use NOR, only the first Fat models use NAND—those that include A, B, C, E, or G in their model numbers.

Once the file downloads, extract it and open the ‘Step 1’ folder, which includes the ‘PS3’ subfolder that you need to copy over to your USB drive.

source: desktop screenshot

source: desktop screenshot

3. Check the Original PS3 Firmware Version

Now, let’s determine your PS3 compatibility for jailbreaking. All you must do is plug the USB stick into your PS3’s right-most USB slot and follow a few steps:

1. Go to ‘Settings’ from the main menu and select ‘System Update’;
2. Scroll down and tap on ‘Update via Storage Media’;
3. Note whether or not the number is 3.56 or lower.

If your original minimum firmware is higher than that, you will be unable to jailbreak your PS3, and attempting to do so will most likely lead to a bricked console.

Once you are done, remove the drive and format it with FAT32 once again to prepare it for the subsequent steps, provided your PS3 supports that modification.

4. Copy the Hybrid Firmware 4.90 to your USB Stick

To ultimately install the latest 4.90 jailbroken firmware on your PS3, you’ll first have to get the HFW 4.90 onto your console, which will allow you to modify the PS3:

1. Download the PS3UnzipDownloads.zip file from this link;
2. Extract the folder somewhere convenient, like the desktop;
3. Re-insert your formatted USB flash drive into your PC;
4. Copy over the ‘PS3 HFW 490’ → ‘PS3’ subfolder to your USB stick;
5. Eject the USB storage from your computer.

5. Create a Hosted Toolset on Your PC

Since you cannot utilize the required toolset from the PS3Xploit website, you’ll have to create your own toolset. But don’t worry. It’s fairly easy:

1. Install the XAMPP Apache distribution from the original download folder;
1. XAMPP is safe since it only runs on your local network.
2. Configure XAMPP to allow Apache to run on your system;
1. Just click the ‘Start’ button next to the Apache module;
2. If Apache successfully runs, stop it for the moment. 
3. Switch the stock website for a custom one;
1. Click on ‘Explorer’ on the right-hand side;
2. Access the ‘htdocs’ folder and delete its contents;
3. Access the ‘PS3 Flash Writer 490’ from your original download;
4. Copy over its contents to the ‘htdocs’ folder.
4. Start Apache for good now by pressing the ‘Start’ button again;
1. Click on ‘Admin’ (next to ‘Start’) to verify if the website is up and running.

At this point, close the preview window, but leave XAMPP running in the background.

6. Figure Out Your PC IP Address

This step is very straightforward but necessary for connecting your console to your PC. It only involves these steps:

1. Open up the ‘Start’ menu and type in ‘CMD’;
2. Launch the ‘Command Prompt’ and type in ‘ipconfig’;
3. Note down the IPv4 Address.
1. It contains four numbers separated by dots.

6. Install the Hybrid Firmware 4.90 on your PS3

This step involves installing the ‘HFW 490’ update on your console, which is necessary to prepare the PS3 for the full-blown custom firmware installation:

1. Plug in your already prepared USB stick to the PS3 right-most port;
2. Start your PS3 and navigate to the main ‘Settings’ menu;
3. Open ‘System Update’ → ‘Update via Storage Media’;
1. You’ll notice you are updating the same software version.
4. Select ‘Yes’ and wait for the installation to complete;
5. Re-install the hybrid firmware by completing Steps 3–4;
6. Once the process completes again, access the ‘Network’ menu;
7. Select ‘Internet Browser’, open its side menu, and tap on ‘Tools’;
8. Now, you have to delete the following items:
1. Cookies,
2. Search History,
3. Cache,
4. Authentication Information.
9. You should also change your home page to blank.
1. This setting is also found under ‘Tools’.

7. Enter Your PC IP Address Into the PS3 Internet Browser

Now that your browser history has been completely eradicated, it’s time to connect your console to your PC by following these steps:

1. Open the PS3 Internet Browser once again;
2. Navigate to the side menu and press ‘File’;
3. Select ‘Address Entry’ and type your IP address with port number 80.

Now your PS3 and computer are connected, and you are hosting your jailbreak site.

8. Completing the Final Checks Before Jailbreaking

Once the jailbreak site opens, complete a few final steps before jailbreaking:

1. Check whether the USB field reads ‘/dev_usb000/’;
2. Press ‘NOR’ or ‘NAND’ and click ‘Run checks’;
3. Wait for the ‘flash490.P3T’ to download to your PS3;
4. Click on ‘Dump NOR/NAND flash memory’;

Note: Do not close the browser window once the backup procedure completes.

9. Verify the Integrity of the Backup Files

Once the process completes, you’ll have successfully backed up your system. To verify the backup went ahead correctly, do the following:

1. Remove the USB stick and plug it into your PC;
2. Open the original download folder;
3. Transfer the ‘PS3FlashDump490OFW.bin’ from the USB drive to the ‘PyPS3Checker’ folder, found inside the original download folder;
4. Press and hold the flash dump file and drop it onto the ‘drag&drop_your_dump_here.bat’ batch file.
1. Save this backup file somewhere safe!

If the ‘Number of dangers’ and ‘Number of warnings’ at the bottom of the PyPS3 checker equal zero, you can finally install the full custom firmware.

10. Installing the Custom Firmware 4.90 on Your PS3

This is it! You are finally installing a 4.90 custom firmware on your favorite console:

1. Format the USB drive in FAT32 again;
2. Open the ‘PS3 CFW 490’ folder from your original download folder;
3. Drag and drop the ‘PS3’ folder in the root of your USB stick;
4. Remove the USB drive from your PC and plug it back into your PS3;
5. Your PS3 browser window should have remained open at the patching step;
6. Click on ‘Patch NOR/NAND/ flash memory’ to install the CFW 490 file;
7. Wait for the ‘Patch operation successful!’ message to appear;
8. Restart your PS3 and navigate to ‘System Update’ for the final time;
9. Click on ‘Update via Storage Media’ to install the ‘4.90 Evilnat PEX’ file;
10. Follow the on-screen prompts to finalize the CFW installation.

Congratulations! You just jailbroke your PS3, and you only need to reboot it to start making all the changes you need or want. We tell you more about them below!

What Can a Jailbroken PS3 Do?

Jailbroken PS3s open up a world of possibilities, allowing owners to greatly expand the functionality of and breathe new life into their old consoles. Having said that, let’s look at the most popular mods you can do if and when you jailbreak your PS3.

1. Install a new hard drive—to avoid the hassle of swapping out physical disks, and their consequent wear and tear, you can install your own hard drive and create your digital library by filling it with all your favorites;
2. Play Homebrew games—how about playing certain homemade games or modded PlayStation titles? Jailbreaking gives you that option too!
3. Customize the UI—if you are tired of the same old PS3 interface, you’d be happy to know that users can change almost every aspect once they jailbreak their console, from adding background themes to changing the system sounds;
4. Play PS2 games—while PS1 games are available across all PS3 consoles, PS2 games only work on the original ‘Fat’ version; but, with a jailbreak, most PS3 models can run PS2 games (with certain exceptions);
5. Install third-party apps—the stock apps coming with your PS3 are often found lacking. For that reason, you can sideload all sorts of third-party applications to enhance your PS3 functionality, from media players to system managers;
6. Emulate retro games—have you ever wanted to have a single console that plays any game of any era? Your jailbroken PS3 allows you to enjoy various Nintendo, SEGA, and Atari games (and much more) once you install RetroArch;
7. Use a mouse and keyboard—many find the keyboard and mouse combo to be superior to anything offered by consoles. Thankfully, you can operate jailbroken PS3s with a mouse, keyboard, and other controllers.

The above list does not encompass every type of mod you can use on a jailbroken PS3. For instance, you can also bypass regional restrictions, unban your console, stream from network storage, download and use cheats, and even install Linux on it.

Bottom Line

Can a PS3 be jailbroken? In most cases, yes. As long as you own the right model (most of them can be jailbroken), you only need to replace the stock firmware with a custom one. After that, you get plenty of additional functionality, from playing retro games to storing your games on a hard disk, customizing the user interface, and starting various Homebrew games.