Downgradable PS3 Models

It is essential to know if your PS3 is Downgradable, as it will determine whether or not you can install a Custom Firmware on you PS3. Don’t know if your PS3 is downgradable, what’s the lowest firmware it can go or how to find what model you have? Then check this article out.

 

So with the explosion of the PlayStation 3 scene there have been a plethora of questions pertaining to the PS3 and downgrading. So with that in mind I gathered all the information together in one convenient post that will help you find out the answers!

FAQ

Q.) Can CFW be installed on 4.82 OFW?
A.) Yes, but only under certain conditions. Basically, your PS3 needs to have had a factory firmware of 3.56 or lower. In other words, it needs to be “Downgradable” to firmware 3.56/3.55.

Q.) Can i Software Downgrade from 4.xx OFW?
A.) Yes, provided it is actually downgradable (see list below)

Q.) Can i brick my PS3 installing a 4.xx CFW?
A.) Yes, bricking CAN OCCUR WHEN ALTERING A CONSOLE OTHER THAN INTENDED. IF YOU ATTEMPT READ CAREFULLY AND TAKE YOUR TIME.

Q.) Can i brick my PS3 by downgrading?
A.) YES you can, HOWEVER SOME BRICKS CAN BE REVERSED. IF YOU BRICK YOUR CONSOLE IN ANY WAY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE.

 

How to find a PS3’s Model Number

To locate the model of your PlayStation 3, look on the back of the system and locate the bar code sticker. Underneath the bar code you will see the 11-digit serial number followed by a model number which begins with “CECH”. You can also find the model number by looking on the box. It can be found by looking on the top of the box (the side where the handle is located) and is printed below the contents of whats inside the box.

Newer Models

Older Models

Downgradable Models

These easy, trimmed down list will help you find out if your PS3 is downgradable to 3.56 or below. However to be 100% sure there is a tool you can use on your PS3 to check (see link Below)

Phat PS3 that can be downgraded to 3.56 and below:

  • All Models can be downgraded

PS3 Slim that can be downgraded to 3.56 and below:

  • 20XX
  • 21XX
  • Some 25XX models

Unsupported Models (cannot be downgraded to 3.56 or below) of PS3 Slim/Super Slim:

  • Some 25XX Models
  • 3XXX
  • 4XXXA
  • 4XXXB
  • 4XXXC

In other words, all Phat PS3 are downgradable, some PS3 Slim are downgradable, and no PS4 ExtraSlim is downgradable.

The contentious model is 25XX, for which some of them are downgradable, and others are not. The tool below, minverchk.rar, lets you confirm for sure if your console can be downgraded.

Minverchck.rar

Minverchck is a tool that you can run on any PS3 to see what is the minimum firmware your console can run.

  • To check, its easy with this simple tool for OFW, Download minverchk.rar
  • Then place the .pup file on a FAT32 USB Flash Drive in a PS3/UPDATE folder (create path if needed)
  • Now on the PS3 XMB go to Setting ->> System Update >>> Update via Media Storage
  • Once shown on the list select the PUP and install, shortly after there will be a message showing the factory firmware the console was shipped,
  • For this we want 3.56 and below.
  • ANYTHING HIGHER THEN 3.56 IS NOT ABLE INSTALL A CFW.

(source psx-place)

 

 

More details

The Tool Minverchck above should tell you everything you need to know. If you need more details, there is a full chart on the PS3dev wiki. You can check out the last column to see the min firmware that’s allowed on that console. Remember that this value needs to be 3.56 or below for a CFW to be installed on your console.