PS5 hacking scene takes a big leap with the new Relapse exploit

A new exploit called Relapse, published on September 29, 2026, works on any PlayStation 5 whose system software has not been updated past version 13.6. That version shipped in July, while firmware 14.00.00 arrived in mid-September, so a jailbreak is now possible on any console last updated before that point.

How Relapse works

The exploit builds on a long-known WebKit vulnerability in the PS5's hard-to-access web browser. From there it escalates to gain write access to the console kernel and installs an ELF loader that simplifies running arbitrary code. The method is also far more efficient than earlier jailbreak exploits, which could hang the system for 50 minutes on every attempt.

Why it matters

Until now, newcomers to the scene had to track down older, unupdated consoles on the secondary market, because most exploits only worked with years-old firmware. Relapse greatly expands the pool of hardware that can be modified. That range matters because most PS5 games require the console to be on the latest firmware available when the title launched, and an online database tracks those per-game requirements. The new exploit is therefore compatible with many more titles, including digital copies of legitimate purchases made for personal backup.

What a jailbroken console can run

Beyond backups, hacked PS5s can run homebrew such as emulators and unofficial "60 fps" mods for legacy PS4 games. Developers are also still working on a full Linux implementation for the PS5, though it currently installs only on systems with firmware 7.61 or earlier.