PlayStation 3

Installing HFW

HFW is intended for consoles that cannot run CFW. Installing the wrong firmware for your model or interrupting the write can brick the system. Confirm you are on the matching official firmware version first.

Installing HFW (Hybrid Firmware)

Hybrid Firmware (HFW) is a lightly modified version of Sony's official firmware. It keeps the look and behavior of the retail software while opening just enough access for the PS3HEN exploit package to load. HFW is the standard foundation for consoles that are not CFW-compatible.

Because HFW is built on a specific official firmware release, you must already be running the matching OFW version before applying it. If you are behind, update to the latest official firmware through the normal online or USB update first.

Reach the required OFW
Update the console to the latest official firmware so the HFW package will be accepted.
Prepare the package
Format a USB drive to FAT32 and place the HFW update file in the folder the console expects.
Install via update menu
Open system update, choose update from storage media, and confirm the install just like a normal firmware update.
Reboot and check
Let the console finish and restart. The version string should now show the HFW identifier.

What comes next

HFW by itself does not enable homebrew. It only prepares the ground. After it is installed, continue to the PS3HEN page to add and run the exploit package.