Vita hack pasta rev5.5

rev5.5 Last updated 2017/09/21

==== READ THIS FIRST ====

Check current thread! It is quite possible this will be out-of-date.

I try to keep this updated and accurate, but take no responsibility if anything
goes wrong from using the information in this paste.

Do NOT update your Vita/PSTV past 3.60 if you want to use hacks! Anything past
that has almost nothing (see section) and there is no downgrade method. However
on 3.60 there are some other restrictions:
- Games requiring 3.61+ cannot be played. Affected games show an update nag, or
  if HENkaku is active, a C1-6703-6 error. Roughly speaking this affects games
  released October 2016 or later and different regions are counted separately.
- PSN access may be limited or broken. At time of writing you can play online,
  but you cannot download games from PSN (E-80558325 error) even through a PS3.
  You cannot do system activation either.

If your system is older than 3.60 use this guide to update it to 3.60. Do NOT
use the regular method it takes you to latest!

https://henkaku.xyz/usage/

To avoid unwanted updates, keep it in flight mode where possible, make sure any
Internet connections have DNS set to 212.47.229.76, turn off automatic update
downloading (settings->system->auto-start settings), and make sure to choose no
if an update nag appears. Be careful about letting other people play on it.

If buying for hacks, any _new_ Western ones are guaranteed to be hackable. New
Japanese ones are riskier, and the red or silver ones are always 3.61+. Used
systems are very unlikely to be unless stated otherwise.

TODO: Are all new PSTVs safe?

==== HENKAKU ====

This is what allows everything else to work. To set it up, make sure you're on
3.60 (if not, see further up), open up your browser, and go to the following
site.

http://go.henkaku.xyz/

The hack persists until you power it off. For a more permanent setup, install
HENkaku Enso, then it automatically installs on power on.

https://enso.henkaku.xyz/

==== CONFIGURING HENKAKU ====

As of version 9, configuration is done in the official settings app instead of
in molecularShell. Most important is the unsafe homebrew toggle, required to be
enabled for some utilities. Also version spoofing for PSN (version should be
3.65 as of time of writing).

==== SD2VITA ====

This allows you to use regular SD cards with your Vita, at the expense of using
the cartridge slot. HENkaku is required, and this assumes you've installed Enso
as well.

SD2Vita driver + Linux SD card formatting instructions:

https://github.com/xyzz/gamecard-microsd

Guide:

http://wololo.net/2017/07/20/setting-sd2vita-adapter-formatting-microsd-can-done-windows/

==== USB STORAGE ON PSTV ====

TODO: Document. It's likely different.

==== UTILITIES ====

molecularShell comes with HENkaku, it's a basic file browser, VPK installer and
FTP server.

MaiDumpTool (Vita pirating), Adrenaline (PSP/PSX pirating) and CTManager
(custom themes) have their own section. Other homebrew:

- VitaShell
  https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/VitaShell/releases
  Just an improved molecularShell, notably allows you to access the SD card via
  USB. Recommended to use instead. Requires unsafe homebrew for some functions.

- 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.

- vitaQuake
  http://rinnegatamante.it/site/psv_hbs.php
  It's Quake. What more to say? Supports the expansions, mods, and multiplayer.
  Some framerate issues for now. Mod selector only in the 2.0 version for some
  reason.

- Another Metroid 2 Remake
  https://nicoblog.org/psvita/another-metroid-2-remake-return-of-samus-region-free-vitamin-2-0-ps-vita-vpk/
  https://my.mixtape.moe/whtatk.vpk (alt download link)
  The fan remake of Metroid II Return of Samus. Absolutely heretical.

TODO: Needs more stuff!

==== PSN ====

Note: PSN is currently broken so none of this applies.

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

As mentioned, PSN may or may not work. 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 and
PSN is blocked on the Vita.

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

Be aware being able to access PSN does not allow you to bypass game firmware
requirements or PSN regional lockout.

==== PIRATING ====

TODO: PSVsdcard and/or NoNpDrm soon!

Older methods are not recommended but may be necessary for the time being. For
Mai dumps, download MaiDumpTool.

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

To install a game, extract the ZIP, then copy the GAMEID folder and any _patch
and _addc folders to ux0:/mai then in MaiDumpTool install the game, then patch
and DLC if applicable. If a game has DLC you will also need to switch the game
loading method to 5 or 6, which is needed depends on the game.

Vitamin dumps are just VPK files. Use these as a last resort only.

==== ADRENALINE ====

As of Adrenaline 6 installing is much simpler, and you don't need PSN. Refer to
the readme for initial setup. Also recommend to follow note 1 as it allows you
to run Adrenaline without unsafe homebrew enabled.

https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/Adrenaline

Finally, run through the initial PSP setup. PSP ISOs need to be copied into
ux0:/pspemu/ISO and in Adrenaline will show up under Game -> Memory Stick™. As
of Adrenaline 3 you can also run Playstation games provided they're converted
to PSP eBoot.

https://nicoblog.org/guides/psx2psp-v1-4-2-how-to-convert-games-to/

Such games are a GAMEID folder that should be placed in ux0:/pspemu/PSP/GAME/

Note: It's possible to have pspemu/ on ur0: or uma0: change it in Adrenaline's
settings if you want this.

==== CUSTOM THEMING ====

Themes, link to the installer program, and also how to make your own. Pretty
simple stuff. The theme installer requires unsafe homebrew.

http://psv.altervista.org/

==== MULTI-ACCOUNTING ====

I haven't tried this but it might be helpful for people wanting to bypass the
PSN region lockout.

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

==== 3.61 AND OVER ====

Mostly only useful for custom theming, and removal of PSTV blacklisting. TODO:
Document this. 3.63 and under has ARK for pirating PSP games, while all systems
have VHBL for running PSP homebrew.

==== EXTERNAL LINKS ====

https://gbatemp.net
General console hacking community and news source.

http://wololo.net
Same but more focused on Sony consoles.

http://rinnegatamante.it/site/psv_hbs.php
Vita homebrew downloads.