8/v/ita hack draft

==== READ THIS FIRST ====

As always, there are risks associated with hacking your console. I don't take
any responsibility if anything goes wrong.

Do NOT update your Vita past 3.60 if you want to use hacks! Anything past that
has almost nothing (see section) and there is no known downgrade method. But,
on 3.60 there are some other restrictions:
- Inability to play games requiring a newer firmware version. As a rough guide,
  avoid games released after October 2016.
- You cannot sign into PSN on an outdated Vita. However there's a few things
  you can still do, check the PSN section.

TODO: Clarify which ones are safe to buy, basically new ones, from the West if
possible but apparently Japanese ones are also safe depending on the colour.

==== HENKAKU ====

This is what allows everything else to work. To set it up, make sure you're on
3.60, open up your browser, and go to the following site.

http://go.henkaku.xyz/

It may take a few tries.

HENkaku will need to be set up again if you power off your Vita, keep it in
sleep mode to avoid this. You'll also want to set up the offline installer so
you don't need Internet to do it.

==== UPDATING TO 3.60 ====

Do NOT update in the standard way, it will take you to 3.60! Use the following
guide.

http://wololo.net/2016/08/09/manually-update-ps-vita-firmware-3-60/

==== UTILITIES ====

molecularShell comes with HENkaku, it's a basic file browser, VPK installer and
FTP client. You will also use it to enable/disable unsafe homebrew as needed.

MaiDumpTool (Vita pirating) and Adrenaline (PSP pirating) have a section. Other
helpful utilities:

- VitaShell
  https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell/releases
  Just an improved molecularShell, but advisable to use instead.

- HENkaku offline installer
  https://github.com/henkaku/offline-installer/releases
  Sets up the E-mail program as an offline entrypoint for HENkaku.

- RetroArch
  http://buildbot.libretro.com/nightly/playstation/vita/
  GO AWAY SQUAREPUSHER but in all seriousness it's the best emulator on Vita.
  Install the full VPK instead of individual cores. Don't expect all of them to
  perform well though.

TODO: What else?

==== PSN ====

I repeat: Do NOT update under any circumstance! You are hosed if you do.

As mentioned you cannot sign into PSN. But you can create and link an account
and will need to do this to set up Adrenaline. With a PS3 it is also possible
to use as a middleman for the PS Store if you want digital copies of games or
DLC, but still subject to per-game firmware requirements and regional lockout
on PSN.

https://hackinformer.com/PlayStationGuide/PSV/olderfirmwareguide.html

==== PIRATING ====

Install MaiDumpTool, this allows for installing pirated games/DLC, and also
dumping your own.

https://github.com/LioMajor/MaiDumpToolEN/releases

Look up "Mai Torrent" to find a game collection. I'd be hazed for linking it.

To install, extract the ZIP, then copy the GAMEID folder (including any with
_patch or _addc) to ux0:/Mai on your Vita, then in MaiDumpTool, install via the
relevant menu. For DLC you will also need to switch the game loading method to
5.

TODO: Document Vitamin for the few games that require it. I have no experience with the tool.

==== ADRENALINE ====

Before starting, make sure you have a PSN account set up on your Vita. Refer to
PSN section. Then use this tool to activate your Vita if necessary, and obtain
a PSP demo to inject Adrenaline into.

http://gekihen.customprotocol.com/en/project/ePSP-Bubble-Installer

Then run the actual Adrenaline installer on it.

https://github.com/Freakler/vita-AdrenalineEasyInstaller/releases

Done. PSP ISOs must be DOS-style (all uppercase, and max 8-char filename/3-char extension). Place them in ux0:/pspemu/ISO

Note: I had to do a partial Vita activation before the bubble downloader would
be able to activate it properly. Only had to do "Games" and "Video" activation.
"System" wanted me to update the system first.

==== CUSTOM THEMING ====

Themes, link to the installer program, and also how to make your own. Pretty
simple stuff.

http://psv.altervista.org/

==== MULTI-ACCOUNTING ====

I haven't tried this personally, due to the current PSN issues, but apparently
it can be done.

https://gbatemp.net/threads/v3-60-how-to-swap-between-different-psn-accounts-without-formatting-using-henkaku.436414/

==== 3.61 AND OVER ====

Don't bother for serious hacking but in future it may open up some interesting
options, notably multiple PSN accounts, and removal of the PSTV blacklist.

http://wololo.net/2017/02/22/ps-vita-3-63-owners-rejoice-hidden-applications/