Getting the warez
WARNING
I'm sorry if some of the following links are sketchy, but the community is a divided mess unfortunately. Refer to the Other Issues section for a rant.
Kernels
Let's start with the kernels: they are very important as they have the software that controls all of the PS4's hardware. This is, by definition, Linux.
This is the section for recommended kernels. There are both vanilla kernels and performance kernels. Ordered by newest to oldest, the top ones are the recommended ones.
Credits for all of these kernels.
Read this if you're confused!
Do kernel versions matter?
Yes, but only for Baikal, as it has been stuck on 5.4 for a while and can't use modern GPU drivers anymore. For the rest, it doesn't matter.
What about more performance?
If all you care about is squeezing as much performance as possible out of the PS4 (you do) try the performance kernel section. Those have patches to make the system more responsive.
Vanilla kernels
These are normal linux kernels with additional patches to make them work properly on the PS4.
| Kernel Download | Compatible Southbridges | Source Code | Extra info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.15.4 (Recommended) | Aeolia & Belize | GitHub | Specific blackscreen-fix releases. Recommended. |
| 5.4.247 | Baikal | GitHub | Check Actions section if the releases don't work |
| 5.15.15 Belize Ver. | Belize | GitHub | Might provide better performance than 6.15.4. |
| 5.15.15 Aeolia Ver. | Aeolia | GitHub | NOT RECOMMENDED. Has half broken SATA/Bluray driver. Use for testing only. |
Performance kernels
"Performance patched" kernels
These kernels are compiled using additional optimizations. Don't expect a 3x improvement in performance, they just add features and make the system a bit more responsive.
| Kernel Download | Compatible Southbridges | Source Code | Extra info |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.15, 5.15 and 5.4 | All | N/A | FullLTO, 120Hz support, 4K for PS4 Pro. You need to download the whole archive and pick one for your needs. By saya. |
| 6.15.4 | Aeolia & Belize | N/A? | ZRAM, CachyOS patches, KVM and more. By triki1. |
If you have issues, remember to check the Issues page. If you want more help, check out Discord servers.
Initramfs
This is the rescue shell that boots your Linux installer/installation. Think of it as GRUB, but more basic.
Download this one. Source (not really).
More details
There's another in-dev initramfs (probably not working), if you want to check out the source it's here.
Also, you may want to read this post on the PS4 Linux forums, it explains what an initramfs is and does in actuality.
Distros (that you ACTUALLY wanna use)
Honestly there's a neptillion distros... If you're indecisive, click on all the links and check them out. Either way they are listed from most to least recommended.
More about these distros
Each distro has it's own pros and cons. But most of the difference on PS4 comes down to drivers; each distro requires it's own version of them and it can be a pain in the ass to install.
Arch based distros are recommended, but not because you need to be part of the elite. They are the only ones that currently have automatic updates (meaning with the rest of the system) without breaking anything.
You can of course use other distros, but you do run the risk of breaking your distro or having to reinstall everything when something needs updating, unless you know what you are doing.
| Distro | Base | Port credits | Info |
|---|---|---|---|
| CachyOS Light | Arch, CachyOS | DionKill | CachyOS, but without it running like crap. |
| Arch | Arch | Erkkola | An Arch install with different desktops: KDE, XFCE or even TempleOS! |
| CachyOS | Arch, CachyOS | Elokuba (Qba) | "Final Fantasy v2" version. It has nothing to do with FF. Mere fantasy. |
| EndeavourOS | Arch | Elokuba (Qba) | Arch based distro that's nice to use and easy to maintain |
| Manjaro | Arch | Elokuba (Qba) | A Manjaro KDE distro |
| Garuda | Arch | Elokuba (Qba) | "Gaming focused" distro (not really) |
| Fedora 42 | Fedora | Elokuba (Qba) | Normal Fedora running KDE on Wayland |
| Debian Forky | Debian | triki1 | Very new distro. Extremely bleeding edge. |
| Kali Linux | Debian | triki1 | Based on Debian Forky, but with Kali Linux stuff included |
| Debian Trixie | Debian | triki1 | Latest Debian |
| Xubuntu | Ubuntu | triki1 | Divided into multiple files |
| Batocera 40 | No clue | Noob404 | For retrogaming |
| JaguarLinux | None (includes stuff from Void) | TigerClips1 | A distro made from scratch for the PS4! Still in development, but worth mentioning. |
TIP
Want to add more distros? Make an issue and your wish shall be granted.
Want to make your own? Check this out!
To the installation we go
You should go to the next step, where you'll finally complete your installation!