How to update your PS4 to firmware 4.05 (or any other firmware)
With the recent release of the 4.05 Kernel exploit by SpecterDev, I’m sure everyone’s busy trying to figure out how to run it and what it can do. The first step, if your PS4 is not running firmware 4.05, is to update to 4.05. But you need to be careful not to update to the latest firmware (5.03 at the time of this writing), so follow this guide.
Important: This guide is for you if your PS4 is running on a firmware lower than 4.05. If your console is on firmware 4.06 or higher, this guide is not for you. Additionally, there is no publicly known way to downgrade a PS4 from a higher firmware to 4.05. Any site claiming that it is possible is either misguided or trying to trick you. If your PS4 is running a firmware higher than 4.05, you might want to try and get your hands on a 4.05 PS4.
1. Download Firmware 4.05
The first step is to get a copy of firmware 4.05. At the time of this writing, softpedia have it up for download here. It can also be found on sce.party.
No mater where you get your copy of the firmware, you want to be extremely careful here and not download an incorrect version. The last thing you want to do is end up on firmware 5.03 because you downloaded the wrong file! The MD5 checksum of PS4 firmware 4.05 is 203c76c97f7be5b881dd0c77c8edf385. Windows users can use free tool WinMD5 to check the MD5 of the file they download. If it doesn’t match, don’t try to install.
2. Prepare your PS4: disable automatic updates
First of all, you’ll want to make sure your PS4 isn’t connected to the internet while you’re doing any of this.
There are a few things you will want to do with your PS4 before you start playing with the hack. You might as well do some of thes now. In particular
- Disable automatic updates: In Settings –> System –>Automatic Downloads and Uploads, make sure “System Software Update Files” and “Install Automatically” are both unchecked
You might also want to disable internet connection in rest mode:
3. Copy the PS4 4.05 Firmware update to a USB Key
You’ll need a USB key with about 400MB free. Sony don’t recommend a particular format, but mine was formatted in FAT32, because that’s what they used to enforce on PS3.
On the USB Key, create a folder named PS4, and under that folder, another folder named UPDATE. Inside that folder, copy your PS4 Update file. It needs to be named PS4UPDATE.PUP.

Your USB folders should look like this
4. Install
Turn the PS4 on if it’s not already, and insert the USB Key.
Go to Settings –> System Software Update, The PS4 should tell you that it found firmware update 4.05. If not, go back to the previous steps, and make sure you have everything in place (a typical mistake is to have the update file with the wrong name, or in the wrong folders).
When the PS4 tells you update 4.05 is available, click “Next” and follow the instructions on the screen.
You’re done!
Stay tuned for more details on the PS4 4.05 Kernel Exploit!
My PS4 was sleeping in a drawer for 2 years and when yesterday I upgraded to 4.05, I forgot to unflag that new option ! 🙁 “disable internet connection in rest mode”
I’m in 4.05, debug settings are working, but 5.03 PUP has been downloaded.
Now everytime I’m booting I have that message “Do you want to update to 5.03 ?” with by default the cursor on YES.
With FW 4.0 that’s no more possible to delete a downloaded PUP in notification etc..
How can I delete that 5.03 PUP and get ridd off that scarry message on boot ?
Maybe use a 4.05 FTP server payload, find that file and delete it ? (if I find that PUP in a writable directory ?)
How about factory reset?
I didn’t try:
– will it delete that PUP ?
– will I loose my saved data, digital downloaded games ?
Yes, this will erase your all data (Games, Media and save data too) .. apart from that you will then still be on 4.05 .
Thank you, that’s not a so nice option 🙁
Maybe “Rebuild database” in safe mode will only delete that PUP file ?
If you are on 4.05… do the webkit push the bin and erase the pup in *debug settings… Boom done
Where can I see that PUP in debug settings ?
(I’ve searched but not found…)
Same question here, imágenes still in 3.55 but i had the anoying pop UP of do you want to Update yo 5.03 my concern Is if i Update to 4.05 some how some way ended on the latest ofw , the good news Is that i am on a new PS4 so factory reset “not a prob 4 me ” any sugestions? ✌
Thanks for saying its not for *above* 4.05 , well any guesses for E3 flasher kind of hardware downgrades ?
It is useless for the majority who already updated to play the latest games. This is basically them throwing a small bone. I bet the devs are already hacked on higher firmwares.
so far only FW which allows to play “backups” is still 1.76 so there is no reason to buy PS4 or install 4.05 which allows nothin…
Firsty mcfirst face
Someone give this man a restraining order!
Sorry, you missed that special bus.
David, du Hurn!
hi im on 4.01 but my ps4 wants to update to 5.0 do i just put 4.05 on usb and install that or will i have to something else first?
Factory reset your ps4 disconnect the internet then update
Wow first link for firmware has been removed already, thanks to SCE.Party 🙂
hello guys I’m on the 3.55 now for many years and I would not make the mistake to upgrade to 4.05 and then find myself a news that there is something more huge on ofw less than 4.05, so my questions are:
1-update and ambitious about this exploit? What can I really do?
2-can I install the pkg demo games? as ?
3- I read that there is a fake section saved what is it? can I put a ps4 save for another account on mine? .
This “news” on the scene Is practical a blind spot, Theres no way 2 find out ifs gona b More juicy older firmwares, so my sugest Is to update to 4.05 in my case i Will do it mostly cuz im literaly diying to play the last guardian, AND hopefully someting God on this news of teamdev make my New years Eve =)
Just connect to internet and uses system update. Its easy and no usb needed
Eat Chupa, Pendejo!!
which will update you to the latest,unhackable,firmware. that is a really stupid advice lol.
Sergio, heeeeeere Sergio… nice fleshy weenie for you.
Pro Tip: If your PS4 complains about not being connected to the internet OR about DNS servers like mine did, install 4.05 using Safe Mode!
I followed the guide to a T (USB key ready with the proper filename and folder structure), then while my PS4 was still on I held the PS button to get to the power menu. From there I powered my console COMPLETELY OFF (it cannot be in Rest Mode), then held the power button for about 10 seconds (until the console beeps a second time) and released.
From there I followed the next four screens to get my console updated. Just follow the four images found here:
https://imgur.com/a/2Yk4S
Note to WOLOLO: You may use my images if you would like 🙂
Hate to bug ya Wololo, but you should also consider updating this article using the firmware file from this reddit thread:
https://www.reddit.com/r/ps4homebrew/comments/7mpjpq/psa_for_users_upgrading_to_a_larger_hdd/
The file listed in this thread is also an official PS4 4.05 firmware file. The difference is this one is REQUIRED if your hard drive ever gets corrupted and needs reformatting (which HAS happened to me out of normal PS4 use), as well as if you ever want to upgrade your HDD.
MD5 of the official 4.05 Sony RECOVERY firmware is:
741cfe2f0dec1bb4663571de78ae31cf
I was wondering about that Hash. Thanks.
Better question how to get a ps4 with 4.05, i saw on german amazon, a uncharted bude costs ~480€ , but where u can get for ~250€?
New and in box PS4 Pro will be $800 or more. So keep dreaming! You should have invested when you had the chance.
Hello,
These Firmware fits with european PS4 or not ?
Thanks
any answers?
it’s my question too.
Question: will there beexploit for 5.00?
This is wonderful News! Now I can watch WarRoom and Infowars Commercial free on RonGibsons youtube channel on Linux on the PS4 instead of on the PS3’s! My Mom somehow got banned on my account while watching youtube one day so I got fed up with $ony and decided to just use it for a media center and that is it. I stopped buying games for it although I am still tempted to do so now as they are really cheap to buy. Then in the future I can also install steam and get my steam messages as well as watching Youtube to get real news that fights Communism all in one convenient package! In time, The Linux install can be made permanent and wont have to be exploited manually each time too! WOOOO HOOO!!! 2 years tops before we get a perma linux installer is my best guess too! My 3 PS4 pros are going to be the best darn media centers ever now that they are going to be fully fledged linux boxes!! The only thing that sucks is the fact the PS4 has a second system on a chip that manages updates so I need a proxy to block all of the sony servers indefinitely. I really am looking forward to hackers making the PS3 Bluray remote work on the PS4! I know that will likely happen in time too. 😀
Is there a jailbreak for firmware 5.05. Or if there isn’t is there anyway I can downgrade my ps4 to 4.4.05 too get a jailbreak ?
I also want to jailbreak my ps4 version 5.05 can we downgrade it into 4.95