Modder releases PS5-Linux project, turning some consoles into a Linux gaming machine

Last month, security engineer and modder Andy Nguyen (@theflow0 on X) began experimenting with running Linux on the PS5 and successfully ran Grand Theft Auto V: Enhanced Edition on his console under Ubuntu. Since then, Andy has been testing and refining the project privately and has now released PS5-Linux on GitHub, allowing users to turn their console into a functional Linux gaming PC.

According to the official GitHub notes, PS5-Linux uses a patched hypervisor vulnerability to unlock the console's hardware. Once installed, the console acts like a desktop PC with 8 CPU cores running at 3.5 GHz and a GPU clocked at 2.23 GHz. It also supports 4K at 60Hz over HDMI, audio output, and runs Steam games and emulators smoothly.

The tool currently works only with PS5 Phat models on specific firmware versions. Firmware versions 3.00, 3.10, 3.20, and 3.21 are supported without M.2, while 4.00, 4.02, 4.03, 4.50, and 4.51 are supported with M.2. Support for older firmware versions might be added later, but it is not a priority. Firmware 5.xx is also under consideration, but may not perform as well, as Ubuntu would have to run in the GameOS virtual machine rather than have full hardware access.

The project requires some additional hardware to get started, including a USB mouse and keyboard, a USB Ethernet adapter for internet access, and a USB drive with at least 64GB of storage to run Ubuntu. You will also need a compatible M.2 NVMe SSD if you plan on running Ubuntu from an SSD, and an additional Bluetooth dongle to use your DualSense controller wirelessly.

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There are a few limitations and known bugs worth noting. This is a softmod, meaning Linux does not replace the PS5's operating system and does not support a normal dual-boot. You cannot switch directly between the PS5 OS and Linux, and you will need to run the exploit each time you want to boot into Linux. Standby mode is unavailable, and some users may encounter issues with HDMI output or screen saver behavior, depending on their monitor.

For those wanting to take the plunge, full build and installation instructions are available on GitHub. This is still an experimental project, so it's best suited for advanced users who are comfortable with setup and troubleshooting. Based on how well GTA V: Enhanced Edition ran on Andy Nguyen's own PS5, it might be worth a shot.