What to Know Before Starting the Vita Hacks Guide

Updated

Before you begin, confirm three things: your console is a retail unit (not a PlayStation Partner Program device), you know your button layout (International × = Confirm or Japanese ○ = Confirm), and you know your firmware version. The guide targets stock-to-Ensō custom firmware, and Ensō works on firmware 3.65 or below; higher-version devices can downgrade to 3.65 for the same result. The site also warns you to read all introductory pages thoroughly before proceeding.

Console Eligibility

The guide is explicitly for retail consoles only — consumer-purchased units, not consoles from the PlayStation Partner Program. If your device came through that program, this guide is not for you.

Button Layout

The guide asks you to pick your layout up front:

Layout Confirm button
International ×
Japanese ○

This choice affects the instructions you'll see, so decide before starting.

Firmware Version and Ensō

The guide's end goal is taking an unmodified PS Vita (TV) from stock firmware to custom firmware, specifically Ensō. Key facts from the guide:

  • Ensō runs an exploit at boot time, so you don't need to manually trigger an exploit after every reboot — unlike HENkaku or h-encore.
  • Ensō is available on all devices with firmware 3.65 or below.
  • Devices on higher firmware can downgrade to 3.65 to get the same result.

Check your firmware before anything else; it determines whether you install directly or downgrade first.

Homebrew vs. Custom Firmware

The guide distinguishes the two:

  • Homebrew is unauthorized software — homebrew games, save editing and backup tools, and emulators for older systems. Running it is free on your device.
  • Custom Firmware (CFW) does everything homebrew can plus more advanced hacks that userland homebrew can't easily do. Essentially all homebrew solutions on the PS Vita (TV) include some kind of CFW.

What You Get with CFW

According to the guide, CFW lets you:

  • Customize the home screen with user-created themes
  • Use ROM hacks for games you own
  • Back up, edit, and restore saves for many games
  • Play older systems via RetroArch or standalone emulators
  • Dump game cards to an installable format and play without the card
  • Stream gameplay wirelessly to your PC with Rincheat Streamer (certain games only)
  • Play PSP games on your Vita with Adrenaline ePSP CFW

Before You Proceed

The guide's own warning: thoroughly read all of the introductory pages, including the first one, before proceeding. If you're looking for homebrew and CFW guides for other devices, the site points to Hacks.Guide.