Downgrading Firmware (3.60)

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Required Reading

We will now downgrade your device to firmware version 3.60 as it is the best supported firmware version which supports the Ensō boot-time exploit.

Ensō is a complete CFW solution for the PS Vita (TV) which allows for convenient homebrew access on your device by running an exploit at boot-time to setup the HENkaku homebrew environment.

It is more convenient than h-encore as it does not require you to trigger an exploit on your device after every reboot manually.

While it is possible to run homebrew on most firmware versions, downgrading to firmware version 3.60 will provide you with the greatest homebrew compatibility.

Since the release of the reF00D system plugin, there are very few (if any) downsides to running firmware version 3.60 as this plugin allows you to install and play games which would normally require a newer firmware version.

Unfortunately, a very small number of devices will be unable to downgrade to 3.60 due to their "factory firmware" version. Further instructions will be presented when relevant for users who encounter this situation.

TIP

Ensure your device has a battery charge of 50% or greater before proceeding.

What You Need

Section I - Prep Work

  1. Launch the VitaShell application
  2. Press START to open the VitaShell settings
  3. Press × on "SELECT button" to change the mode to "FTP"
    • Alternatively, you can leave this setting on "USB" and transfer all files via a USB cable for the remainder of this guide
    • Note that the USB transfer mode will start you in the ux0 partition
    • Additionally, some files will be hidden in USB mode on Windows; you must enable "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" and disable "Hide protected operating system files" in the File Explorer options in order to see all files
  4. Press to close the VitaShell settings
  5. Press SELECT to enable FTP access on your device
  6. Open your FTP client on your computer
  7. Enter the IP Address and Port displayed on your device
  8. Using your FTP client, navigate to ux0: -> data/
  9. Transfer modoru.vpk to the data folder
  10. Transfer PSP2UPDAT.PUP to the data folder
  11. Press on your device to close the FTP connection

Section II - Installing modoru

  1. On your device, navigate to ux0: -> data/
  2. Press × on modoru.vpk to install it
  3. Press × to confirm the install
  4. Press × to continue the install when you are prompted about extended permissions
  5. Press to open the menu, then select "Delete" to delete modoru.vpk
  6. Press × to confirm the deletion
  7. Press on PSP2UPDAT.PUP to open the menu, then select "Copy"
  8. Press × to dismiss the copied file dialogue box
  9. Press to return to the ux0: partition
  10. Navigate to app -> MODORU000
  11. Press to open the menu, then select "Paste" to paste PSP2UPDAT.PUP in the current folder
  12. Press to return to the ux0: partition
  13. Press on tai to open the menu, then select "Delete" to delete the tai folder
  14. Press × to confirm the deletion
  15. Close the VitaShell application

Section III - Downgrading Prep

  1. Reboot your device
  2. Launch the h-encore application while holding R
    • If prompted about trophies, continue holding R and select "Yes"
  3. If the exploit was successful, you will now see the h-encore bootstrap menu
    • If the exploit is stuck on a white screen, simply close the application (which will cause a crash and reboot your device), then try again
    • If it is still stuck, hold the power button down for over 30 seconds to force a reboot, then try again
  4. Select "Install HENkaku"
    • This will install the HENkaku exploit and enable homebrew access until the next reboot
  5. Select "Exit"
  6. Launch the Settings application
  7. Navigate to HENkaku Settings
  8. Select "Unlink Memory Card"
  9. Return to HENkaku Settings menu
  10. Close the Settings application

Section IV - Downgrading

  1. Launch the modoru application
  2. Press × to confirm the downgrade to firmware version 3.60
    • If you are given the message "Error you cannot go lower than your factory firmware.", you will be unable to downgrade to firmware version 3.60
    • If you are currently on firmware version 3.65, proceed to Installing Ensō (3.65)
    • If you are currently on a firmware version above 3.65 and the listed "Factory firmware" is 3.65 or lower, proceed to Downgrading Firmware (3.65)
    • If you are currently on a firmware version above 3.65 and the listed "Factory firmware" is greater than 3.65, proceed to Configuring h-encore
    • If you are currently on a firmware above 3.69 and the listed "Factory firmware" is greater than 3.68, proceed to Finalizing Setup
  3. Press × to accept the terms and conditions
  4. Your device will begin the downgrade process
  5. Wait until the process is completed, your device will reboot automatically

TIP

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