PlayStation 5 Linux Tested: Steam PC vs Native PS5 Games
Security researcher Andy Nguyen, known as TheFlow, has released PS5 Linux, enabling an open-source operating system to run on PlayStation 5 consoles. The solution leverages an existing exploit that works on PS5 units running system software version 4.5 or earlier.
The installation process requires users to prepare a Linux image and execute the PS5 exploit, which sends a specific payload from a connected computer. This causes the PlayStation 5 to enter rest mode; upon waking, the console boots into Linux from an attached USB drive or SSD.
For improved performance, Linux can be installed to the PS5’s internal m.2 storage bay, which offers significantly faster storage speeds compared to USB-based installations, though a USB stick remains necessary for the initial boot. This development opens the possibility of running PC games and Linux-compatible software directly on the console, expanding its functionality beyond traditional PlayStation gaming.
The exploit’s availability only for older firmware versions means that PS5 consoles must be running system software 4.5 or earlier to be modified in this manner, limiting the scope of adoption among the broader PS5 user base.