The creators demonstrated a reversible softmod hack on an older PS5 firmware to install Linux and run Steam, enabling PC games like Halo to be played on the console via an external SSD and a local network setup. Despite performance limitations and some technical challenges, the project highlights the potential for experimentation and customization on console hardware while emphasizing legal considerations and the non-destructive nature of the hack.
In this video, the creators demonstrate how they jailbroke and hacked a PlayStation 5 to install Linux and run Steam, allowing them to play PC games like Halo: Combat Evolved on the console. This was made possible by an exploit published by Sony security researcher Andy Nguyen, aka The Flow. The hack is a softmod that boots Linux from an external storage device without permanently altering the PS5’s firmware, making it reversible by simply rebooting the console. The project required an older PS5 firmware version (3.x or 4.x), a cheap router to create a local network, and a laptop running a fake DNS and HTTPS server to deliver the jailbreak payload.
The team chose Ubuntu 26.04 LTS for the Linux installation due to its comprehensive documentation, despite some issues with the default snap package manager. They prepared the Linux image on a PC, flashed it to a Samsung 980 Pro M.2 SSD in an external enclosure, and connected it to the PS5 via USB. Because their PS5 firmware version did not support booting Linux from the internal M.2 drive, they used the external drive instead. The jailbreak involved redirecting the PS5’s DNS to the laptop’s fake server, which hosted the exploit webpage, and then injecting the Linux loader payload using a netcat GUI tool.
Once Linux was running on the PS5, the team connected peripherals like a mouse, keyboard, and USB network interface card since native Wi-Fi and Bluetooth were not supported by the mod. Display compatibility was limited to 1080p, as 4K output was unreliable and required troubleshooting. They also set up a contained local network to prevent automatic firmware updates or potential hardware bans from Sony. The Linux environment allowed them to install Steam and run PC games, though performance was mixed, with frequent hitching and crashes noted during gameplay.
Benchmarking showed that the PS5 running Linux was capable but not optimized, with games like Halo: Combat Evolved averaging around 91 FPS but suffering from severe frame drops. Overclocking tools provided by The Flow increased CPU and GPU clocks, improving performance by roughly 5-7%. They also tested other games and benchmarks like Stellaris and 3DMark Fire Strike, which highlighted the limitations and quirks of running Linux on console hardware. Despite these issues, the mod opens interesting avenues for research, optimization, and experimentation on console hardware outside of the official operating system.
The video concludes by emphasizing the legal and ethical considerations of jailbreaking hardware you own, arguing that consumers should have the right to modify their devices. The hack is presented as a fun, experimental project that can keep older hardware relevant and enable unique academic or hobbyist pursuits. The creators caution about potential risks like hardware bans but note that their setup is reversible and non-destructive. They invite viewers to share ideas for further exploration and stress that this is primarily a proof of concept showcasing the flexibility and potential of the PS5 when running Linux.