Vita Hack Pasta rev3

==== 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.
- PSN may be inaccessible on the Vita. At time of writing (April 2017) HENkaku
  version spoof is working. If PSN cannot be accessed on the Vita there are
  still a couple of options, check the PSN section.

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 too.

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 FOR HENKAKU ====

Do NOT update in the standard way, it will take you to latest firmware! 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 server. You will also use it to enable/disable unsafe homebrew as needed.

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.

- HENkaku offline installer
  https://github.com/henkaku/offline-installer/releases
  Sets up the E-mail program as an offline entrypoint for HENkaku. Make sure to
  re-run the installer whenever it updates. Requires unsafe homebrew enabled to
  run.

- 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: What else?

==== PSN ====

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 ====

Install MaiDumpTool, this allows for installing pirated games/DLC, and also
dumping your own. Make sure unsafe homebrew is enabled when using this tool.

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

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

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.

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. Also make sure unsafe homebrew is enabled as the installer tools
require it (Adrenaline itself doesn't).

Next, 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

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/

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. 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 ====

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/

==== 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.