PS5 Linux hack now supports (some) newer firmware versions

You may recall hearing the PS5 can now run Linux. The catch was that it needed a console running older firmware, from before Sony nixed the exploit used.

Well, the door is now a little ajar again (‘get a better metaphor, Joey’ – the world).

A new pLinux5-NG project adapts the old PS5 Linux bootloader to different security exploits, the Relapse jailbreak and Byepervisor-Reborn, the latter to circumvent the console’s hypervisor protections.

This enables booting Linux on PS5 consoles with newer firmware versions than were previously supported, up to 13.60.

But, catch time, this effort only officially supports firmware 13.20 right now.

Sony’s newer 14.00 and 14.10 updates block the exploits used in this, and as PSN access requires the latest system software, there is a dilemma facing those who want to try jailbreak efforts, but also wish to game.

Rewarding benchmarks show promise

Now, most PS5 owners aren’t hankering to run GIMP or browse the web in Firefox on their console. The main aspiration is to use Sony’s gaming hardware as a regular Linux gaming PC and run Steam titles, etc.

Tests on older firmware did show some interesting results. GTA V Enhanced reportedly ran at close to 60fps at 1440p. While those kind of results don’t map to the new bootloader on more recent firmware, it shows merit in the undertaking.

A PS5 will never be a practical Linux gaming PC. It’s far less hassle (and expense, for those needing to buy an un-updated console) to build, buy or upgrade a traditional PC.

But then, hackporting efforts such as this aren’t really about the ‘why’ as much as the ‘why not’.

Every firmware revision that can be made to run Linux – whatever the leaps and hurdles involved – brings the whole idea of running PC games on a PS5 a little closer to reality.

(via notebookcheck)