A-Hackers-Guide
PlayStation 3

Disc backups

Disc Backups

Backing up your own Blu-ray game discs lets you play from storage while the original stays safely on the shelf. PlayStation 3 discs are encrypted, so a backup keeps the game folder structure a manager can mount rather than a plain copy of the disc.

Dump only discs you own. This page is for preserving your personal collection, not for distributing or downloading copyrighted games.

Dumping a disc

Managers such as multiMAN and IRISMAN include a built-in dump tool. With the original disc inserted, the manager reads it and writes a game folder to your chosen drive.

  1. Insert the original retail disc and let the system recognise it.
  2. Open the manager's Copy or Dump function.
  3. Choose the destination — internal HDD or external storage.
  4. Wait for the read to complete; dual-layer discs take longer.

Folder format

A dumped game lands in a folder containing the standard PS3_GAME structure. Keep this layout intact and place it where your manager scans for games, for example a GAMES directory.

SourceResult
Single-layer discSmaller folder, quick dump
Dual-layer discLarger folder, slower dump

Verify the backup boots before retiring the disc. tip