PS4 Linux Tutorial

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Internal HDD installation ​

Here you'll setup the internal HDD for installation of a Linux distro.

CAUTION

Make sure you are NOT following this on a console with a Baikal southbridge.

If you proceed, either it won't boot, or you'll inevitably corrupt your whole drive and loose all your data!

WARNING

This shit is slow on an HDD. Be careful and prepare your balls for imminent explosion.

However, if you have swapped your internal HDD for an SSD, this doesn't apply.

Internal HDD setup ​

Check your PS4 storage, as you'll need to choose the size of the installation. Leave some free space in your console, and remember that the PS4 doesn't report the space taken internally by Linux!

FTP to your PS4. Go to the /data/ folder, and create the folder /linux/boot/ and place your bzImage (and bootargs.txt if you have it) and initramfs in there.

NOTE

Files sent via FTP can transfer incorrectly, especially if overwritten. In that case, try to move them using a USB drive.

Then, go to /user/system/, create a folder called boot, and paste your distro in there. Remember that it needs to be called psxitarch.tar.gz or xz!

When installed, you can remove your Linux installation by removing the above files, and the "linux.img" found in /user/home/ folder. Just in case you realize I was correct.

Launching Linux Rescue Shell ​

After that, either launch your payload with a payload website to load them, or use "Payload Guest" app if the website doesn't work for you.

TIP

Remember that the amount of VRAM you allocate is taken from your system memory! For a 2GB of VRAM payload, you'd have 8-2 = 6GB of remaining system RAM! You aren't creating memory out of thin air!

WARNING

You MUST use a 1GB VRAM payload for installation and first boot. Afterwards, 2GB is recommended.

Payload website hosts ​

Firmware 7.00-12.52

Follow these steps:

  • Go to psfree-enhanced.free.nf
  • Select Linux tab at the top center
  • Select your PS4 model and southbridge
  • Load your desired payload
    • Again, 1GB is necessary for installation!
Alternative website (FW 5.05+)

Even though this website is probably not maintained anymore it'll stay here, as the newer website doesn't work on low firmwares.

If the website doesn't work, use the Payload Guest local method below.

Local payloads ​

If you so desire, or you can't launch it from the web browser for some reason, it's possible to load these payloads locally.

In order to do that, you need to download them here.

After downloading them:

  • Install "Payload Guest" on your PS4 to load the payloads locally
  • Extract from the ELF folders, and rename the file to have a .bin extension instead of .elf, because Payload Loader can't load ELFs
    • Using the .elf seems to lead to a higher success rate when launching
    • Enable "see file extensions" on Windows Explorer or what you're using
    • If it doesn't have any particularly append, it's for both Aeolia and Belize
  • Put the files in the /data/payloads/ directory
  • Remember to check here sometimes to see if there's any updates

Installation commands ​

Now that the storage is covered, here comes the moment of truth. You'll be sent to the Rescue Shell.

TIP

If you get an error, go to the Installation issues section.

Internal HDD

  • Type install-linux-hdd.sh or linux-install-hdd.sh
  • Type how much storage you want to use for the installation
    • Check how much free space you have, don't fill up your drive as the PS4 will only report the used amount of space inside the partition, and not the total partition size!
    • If it fails, check your initramfs, or go to the Installation Issues

Hydrate yourself while you wait. It'll take a while.

You should already boot into the desktop. If it doesn't, run

bash
resume-boot

Finale ​

Go now, conquer the finale. Also, read the post-credit stuff.