Vita Hacks Guide

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Installing h-encore ​

Required Reading ​

The h-encore exploit for the PS Vita (TV) allows for the installation of homebrew applications to the LiveArea Screen. It is compatible with the firmware versions 3.65 to 3.74.

Note that the h-encore exploit chain is not “persistent” (meaning it does not remain installed after a reboot). This means you will have to run the exploit again after each reboot.

In addition to installing the h-encore exploit, we enable access to “unsafe” homebrew which gives extended permissions to homebrew applications. This idea could be considered analogous to the “administrator” mode on a computer.

If you are on firmware versions 3.65 to 3.68, you will be using the h-encore exploit, however if you are on firmware versions 3.69 to 3.74, you will be using the h-encore² exploit. The program we use to install the exploit to your console (finalhe) should sort this out for you.

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If you are unable to get the finalhe method to work for any reason, or if you own a Mac/Linux computer, the QCMA Backup method will work as well.

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If you have a PS Vita 1000, you must also have an official Sony memory card (of any size) to follow this guide. This restriction does not apply to the PS Vita 2000 or PS TV as those devices have a built-in memory card.

What You Need ​

  • The latest release of finalhe
    • Download the FinalHE_v1.93_win32.7z file
    • If you are using MacOS or Linux you will be required to compile finalhe yourself
  • The latest release of VitaDeploy
    • Download the VitaDeploy-FHE.zip file

Instructions ​

Section I - finalhe ​

  1. Copy the contents of the finalhe .7z file to a folder on your computer
    • You can extract .7z archives using 7-Zip, WinRAR or similar programs
  2. Copy the VitaDeploy .zip file into the finalhe folder
    • Do not extract this file
  3. Launch finalhe on your computer
    • If you are prompted to allow finalhe network access through the firewall, do so
  4. Launch the Content Manager application on your device
  5. Tap "Copy Content"
    • If your device is already connected to your computer via USB, you can skip to Section II - h-encore Transfer
    • Do not install the Sony Content Manager Assistant on your computer when prompted and uninstall it if you already installed it previously
    • If your device is not detected over USB, install QcmaDriver_winusb and try again
  6. Tap "PC"
  7. Select the method you wish to use to connect to finalhe
    • If you are prompted to log-in to a PlayStation Network Account, do so
    • If you do not have a PlayStation Network Account, create one
  8. Select or register your computer if prompted
    • If you encounter a message instructing you to update, reboot your device and try again
    • If you still encounter this message, enable Flight Mode in the System Settings and try again (this will not work on PS TVs)
    • If you still encounter this message, update to the latest firmware version and try again

Section II - h-encore Transfer ​

  1. Select "Trim h-encore to ~7MB"
  2. Click on the small arrow on the right-hand side of the finalhe window
    • This can be hard to spot, especially on high-DPI displays
  3. Tick the "VitaDeploy" box
  4. Click "Let's GO!"
    • The exploit files will be automatically downloaded and prepared
    • This process will take some time
  5. Tap "PC -> PS Vita System" or "PC -> PS TV System" on your device
  6. Tap "Applications"
  7. Tap "PS Vita"
  8. Select "h-encore" or "h-encore²" depending on which is displayed
  9. Select "VitaDeploy"
  10. Tap "Copy"
  11. Tap "OK"
    • The h-encore exploit and VitaDeploy application will be copied to your device
    • This process will take some time
  12. Close the Content Manager application on your device
  13. Close finalhe on your computer

Section III - Opening h-encore ​

  1. Launch the h-encore(²) application while holding down the R button
    • If prompted about trophies, select "Yes" while continuing to hold down the R button
  2. If the exploit was successful, you will now see the h-encore bootstrap menu
    • If the exploit gets stuck, reboot your device and try again
    • If you can't reboot normally, hold the power button down for over 30 seconds to force a reboot
  3. Press × to exit the application

Section IV - Configuring HENkaku ​

  1. Launch the Settings application
  2. Navigate to HENkaku Settings
    • If HENkaku Settings is missing, select the "Reset taiHEN config.txt" in the h-encore bootstrap menu, then try again
  3. Check "Enable Unsafe Homebrew"
  4. Return to HENkaku Settings menu
  5. Close the Settings application

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You can change your ○ button behavior now. If you do, change it for the guide too: