PS4 Hack For Firmware 4.05 Unlocks Free Game Piracy & PS2 Emulation

PS4 hackers have officially opened the door to game piracy using vulnerabilities recently discovered in the console’s 4.05 firmware. While the vast majority of people won’t be able to make use of the findings, they enable free play of retail games and expanded PS2 emulation. The story arrives via Eurogamer.

Without getting too deep into the specifics of how the hack works, it’s largely based on methods released by scene member FlatZ earlier this month. The developer showed users how to quickly install custom PKG files, and that led to the release of PS4HEN last week. The app is used to enable homebrew software on PS4, and it can now be leveraged to launch full-game backups too. This essentially means users with a 4.05 version PS4 can download a pirated version of Uncharted 4 onto a flash drive and run the game without issue.

As if that wasn’t enough of a development, the console’s PS2 emulation features have also been expanded to run a few games outside Sony’s official PS2 Classics lineup. Using a tool made by developer CFWProphet, those on 4.05 firmware can rip any PS2 ISO file and rewrap it to work on their current-gen consoles. While early testing suggests game compatibility is very low, the tool will likely be revised to accommodate these shortcomings. Right now, however, you can watch a glitchy video of Klonoa 2 in action.

The ability to run backups and emulated games on PS4 is a major win for hackers, but the impact of these findings is hugely mitigated by the fact that the necessary tools require 4.05 firmware. That update released in October of 2016 and was patched by version 4.06 the following month. In order to take advantage of these hacks, then, gamers would’ve had to keep their PS4 disconnected from the internet for well over a year. Also, because the firmware is so outdated, only games released up to 4.06 will run as backups. In other words, most of the games pirates can currently steal are likely already being sold for $20 or less.

Looking at the potential long term impact, these easy-to-use tools could theoretically be ported to newer version firmwares if another exploit is ever found. However, increased Sony security measures and dwindling scene interest has made that task far more complicated than in past years. This hack is a massive leap forward from previous PS4 hacks focused on firmware 1.76, but it still has a long way to go in terms of being something that would actually concern Sony as a whole.

This latest hacking news arrives hot on the heels of several claims that more significant progress is being made to enable homebrew and game piracy on Nintendo Switch. Two different teams have promised future-proof methods to fully unlock the handheld, but nothing’s been released at this time.

Those who want to dust off their old PS4 to use these hacks can find them via a quick Google search. We don’t encourage the use of such files, so install them at your own risk.

Will these 4.05 PS4 hacks pave the way for big developments in the future? Would you go to these lengths just to get a few free games? Tell us in the comments section!