A new PS5 jailbreak works on almost every firmware version, and it already runs the latest games

[Alfonso Maruccia]

Modding FTW: A recently unveiled exploit can allegedly unlock the PlayStation 5's compatibility with unlicensed content on a larger number of consoles. The underlying security issue works with almost any PS5 firmware version, and newer games can apparently be played on unlocked consoles already.

Code hackers focused on the PlayStation 5 have just released another massive contribution to the homebrew scene for Sony's console. The "Relapse" exploit can be used to jailbreak most PS5 machines, turning the DRM-ridden device into a custom computing powerhouse. Needless to say, a jailbroken PS5 also plays pirated games.

The Relapse exploit is a further addition to the growing list of "useful" security issues developers and white hat hackers have discovered in the PS5 platform over the years. Unlike other exploits, Relapse can apparently work on most PS5 firmware versions except the most recent one (14.00.00). The 14.00.00 firmware was only released a couple of weeks ago, which means Sony is now going to have a much bigger security problem to deal with.

Most PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles currently available at retail use the vulnerable firmware versions, so they should be compatible with the Relapse exploit. Newer game releases usually come with a mandatory firmware update, but modding enthusiasts are currently having a field day trying to run open-source operating systems, custom applications, and pirated game releases on jailbroken consoles.

– Lance McDonald (@manfightdragon) September 29, 2026

Thanks to Relapse, users can apparently run the latest PS5 games without paying Sony and publishers a single cent. Marvel's Wolverine, a game released on September 15, seems to work fine. The same applies to The Witcher III Remastered, a free update to the Witcher III experience released just yesterday. Relapse can also turn a stock PS5 into a homebrew-compatible console in less than a minute.

Relapse couldn't have come at a worse time for Sony. The Japanese gaming giant is facing growing user distrust after announcing that physical disc releases will soon be dead. Furthermore, an over-excited community of programmers and vibe-coding fans is rapidly turning PlayStation 5 emulation on PC into a tangible goal.

PlayStation is one of the leading platforms in the console gaming industry, and people will likely target these machines for much longer than Sony could ever anticipate. Enthusiasts are still uncovering technical secrets related to the ancient, legendary PlayStation 2 console decades after the machine's retail debut.

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A new PS5 jailbreak works on almost every firmware version, and it already runs the latest games

 

[Taroo]

Well I guess... "no way to turn back, this is the payback".

 

[GeoffreyA]

Can imagine the stress at Sony HQ :- )

 

[ActualViking]

This sucks. Piracy undermines the gaming industry and therefore hurt gamers.

Plus it also makes those that make hardware trying even harder to lock down their systems, meaning it makes it more difficult to use them for non-gaming stuff for those that like to do so.

 

[dangh]

Good we are close to the end of the cycle. But that will again make next gen more expensive.

 

[havok585]

This sucks. Piracy undermines the gaming industry and therefore hurt gamers.

Plus it also makes those that make hardware trying even harder to lock down their systems, meaning it makes it more difficult to use them for non-gaming stuff for those that like to do so.

EXCEPT it does not.

it's all BS spewed by the producers of garbage games and then blaming "pirates".

 

[torvuswalds]

This sucks. Piracy undermines the gaming industry and therefore hurt gamers.

Plus it also makes those that make hardware trying even harder to lock down their systems, meaning it makes it more difficult to use them for non-gaming stuff for those that like to do so.

Due to Sony's track record right now: "If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing" and there are plenty of other ways to support developers besides game sales.

 

[m4a4]

It is nice to see that at least a few gamers took Sony being the worst of the 3 this gen and channeled it into breaking into their hardware, and quickly.

Nothing like a bit of motivation to fast-track such a well deserved feat.

 

[fadingfool]

Now if I could install SteamOS on a jail broken PS5 - that would be sweet.......

 

[yRaz]

This sucks. Piracy undermines the gaming industry and therefore hurt gamers.

Plus it also makes those that make hardware trying even harder to lock down their systems, meaning it makes it more difficult to use them for non-gaming stuff for those that like to do so.

It hurts publishers, executives and middle managers. The same people that enshitify games

 

[Theinsanegamer]

Now if I could install SteamOS on a jail broken PS5 - that would be sweet.......

It's one of the few things ms is getting right with helix. Alt os support on consoles should have happened back when they went full x86 PC.

 

[yRaz]

It's one of the few things ms is getting right with helix. Alt is support on consoles should have happened back when they went full x86 PC.

They'll find someway to screw it up. They'll take the worst of Xbox, combine it with the worst of Windows and then charge a monthly subscription for it.

 

[Theinsanegamer]

They'll find someway to screw it up. They'll take the worst of Xbox, combine it with the worst of Windows and then charge a monthly subscription for it.

We'll see. If they allow just booting an OS in its own sandbox, much fun will be had.

 

[yRaz]

We'll see. If they allow just booting an OS in its own sandbox, much fun will be had.

My prediction is that it will be an xbox that supports game stores like steam and GOG like an app store and you'll forced to use all MS services to allow basic PC functions. You can browse the web but ya e to use edge, you can check your email but have to use outlook. You can use office software but it has to my MS 365.

It will be an xbox that has some PC functionality but will still be locked down. I'd put money on the fact that they lock their bootloader. They're going out of their way to make a custom SOC and that's usually not a good sign. Sure, it'll use off the shelf AMD architecture in it, but we know nothing about the microcode that that chip will be running.

 

[The Talking Tech]

Why is this website calling it straight up piracy....many people like myself use jailbroken consoles to backup our purchased games and keep our game discs in pristine condition in our collector's shelves or in storage.

People using Homebrew based programs on jailbroken systems doesn't mean piracy just as people with guns shouldn't be generalized as mass shooters.

A selected few bad apples shouldn't affect the rest.

 

[p51d007]

This sucks. Piracy undermines the gaming industry and therefore hurt gamers.

Plus it also makes those that make hardware trying even harder to lock down their systems, meaning it makes it more difficult to use them for non-gaming stuff for those that like to do so.

Maybe if the owners of the games, didn't nickel and dime anyone that uses their product, piracy
would drop.
Every time they tighten the screws, a new "torrent" shows up.

 

[FaTaL]

Good

 

[urielejh]

I'm so freaking happy for this... They deserve that and more

 

[OortCloud]

Sony deserve everything they get. Put the entire PS5 game catalogue online please. Just send some money to the developers themselves if you enjoy a title and skip the leech in the middle.

 

[OortCloud]

They'll find someway to screw it up. They'll take the worst of Xbox, combine it with the worst of Windows and then charge a monthly subscription for it.

Oh and don't forget they will also charge you for the privilege of going online.

 

[ActualViking]

Maybe if the owners of the games, didn't nickel and dime anyone that uses their product, piracy
would drop.
Every time they tighten the screws, a new "torrent" shows up.

Those that pirate will do so as long as games aren't free.

You're essentially arguing, that those in the gaming industry doesn't deserve to get paid for their work.

For every game that makes money, there are tons which never reach break even and piracy only makes that harder. Piracy damages and in some cases destroys the gaming industry, pretending otherwise is denying the facts.

If we want there to be innovative games being developed, then we need to pay for that. If piracy become rampant, then only the safe mainstream games will remain as such games will still sell enough.

 

[Eldrach]

Those that pirate will do so as long as games aren't free.

You're essentially arguing, that those in the gaming industry doesn't deserve to get paid for their work.

For every game that makes money, there are tons which never reach break even and piracy only makes that harder. Piracy damages and in some cases destroys the gaming industry, pretending otherwise is denying the facts.

If we want there to be innovative games being developed, then we need to pay for that. If piracy become rampant, then only the safe mainstream games will remain as such games will still sell enough.

Well - there would be some ways to stop people from exploring this:
1. Why didn't the price of games go down, but up when they went digital? (PS5 games are still more expensive than PC games for no good reason)
2. Why ditch the physical drives - developers still wants to use them, the users still wants it
3. Stop forcing your developers to make live service games - focus on what you're good at
4. Stop saying you don't own a piece of software you bought

 

[ActualViking]

Well - there would be some ways to stop people from exploring this:
1. Why didn't the price of games go down, but up when they went digital? (PS5 games are still more expensive than PC games for no good reason)
2. Why ditch the physical drives - developers still wants to use them, the users still wants it
3. Stop forcing your developers to make live service games - focus on what you're good at
4. Stop saying you don't own a piece of software you bought

None of those points change anything, the only exception being that online only games not available to buy as physical copies may be harder to pirate.

 

[Eldrach]

None of those points change anything, the only exception being that online only games not available to buy as physical copies may be harder to pirate.

It’s about user trust - if you break that..Which they have done, their sales go down. They’re doing the same as Ubisoft - listening to the board of directors and not their userbase.
That went OK for Ubisoft, for a while, before sales started plummeting along with their shares…They haven’t learned anything from that, and it looks like Sony is facing the same situation

 

[ActualViking]

It’s about user trust - if you break that..Which they have done, their sales go down. They’re doing the same as Ubisoft - listening to the board of directors and not their userbase.
That went OK for Ubisoft, for a while, before sales started plummeting along with their shares…They haven’t learned anything from that, and it looks like Sony is facing the same situation

Sorry, but somehow I doubt that sales being down is due to the physical media thing. I think it more likely its due to the whole financial uncertainty, thanks to the corrupt rapist I the WH, and price increases caused by the silicon supply and demand mess.

It is not like the PS5 without a drive has not been selling, so lots of people have long time ago decided they don't care for physical media and supposedly there is lots and lots of pre-orders for GTA. If physical media was such priority, then neither of those would be selling.