This is a historical release for the PS3 Scene. As a thanksgiving present, the team behind PS3Xploit has released a Software Flash writer for PS3 Firmware 4.82. This is months ahead of their promised date of “roughly March 2018”. This hack will let you install a PS3 Custom Firmware on your retail 4.82 Console (the latest firmware).

PS3Xploit CFW Flasher: important limitations/disclaimer

The tool is however limited to known “downgradable” models. This means all PS3 Phat models, and some models of PS3 Slim. Specifically, PS3 Slims that shipped with factory firmware 3.56 or below. Some PS3 slims released in 2011 shipped with firmware 3.60 and will not be able to use this tool. Additionally, PS3 SuperSlim models cannot use this tool. The source link below has a comprehensive FAQ that lets you check if your PS3 Slim has the right factory firmware or not.

In other words:

PS3 Phat: this CFW installer will work for you

PS3 Slim: Will work on most models, but you have to check your factory firmware (see FAQ link below)

PS3 SuperSlim: This release is not for you

The developers of the flasher warn that running the exploit on a model that is not compatible will brick your PS3. Confirm that your console is compatible with the exploit before attempting to run it!

PS3Xploit Flash Writer: what does it do, and what’s next?

It was possible to flash these consoles with hardware solutions only, until now. This release lets you install a CFW on your PS3 4.82 console with a 100% software (and free) solution. It opens up possibilities for people who are on the latest firmware but didn’t want the costs and risks associated with a hardware flasher.

In the current release, this flasher will let you install a 4.82 CFW on your console. You can then switch to other CFW versions if you need/want to.

For people who are on a console that is not compatible, the folks behind PS3Xploit have stated that they are working on a Homebrew ENabler (HEN) solution, which will give you most of the benefits of a CFW at runtime (without writing anything to the Flash). Typically a HEN gives you all the benefits of a CFW, except you have to re-launch it every time you turn the console on: it does not stay installed permanently. But such a HEN solution for people on unhackable consoles might not come soon, as the PS3Xploit team have not committed to a release date.

People credited for the release are W, Esc0rtD3w, Habib, and bguerville.

Download & run PS3Xploit Flash Writer

You can download the writer and check the instructions at the source on psx-place. Carefully read the whole FAQ, in particular it will explain how to run the exploit, how to test that your console is compatible, and where to download a 4.82 CFW to install with this. Again, launching this on an incompatible console, or not following the instructions, could lead to a brick. Remember that you are running this kind of tool at your own risk.

Enjoy!