PS3 HEN

HEN
HEN
General
Author	PS3Xploit Team
Type	Custom Firmwares
Version	3.4.0
License	N/A
Last Updated	2025/03/09
Links
	Website
	Source

PS3 HEN (Homebrew ENabler) is a homebrew framework for all PS3 consoles on official firmware 4.82+. It allows you to run homebrew apps, backup managers, and unlock many features normally exclusive to CFW consoles.

PS3 HEN is designed specifically for consoles that cannot install full CFW, such as late Slims (3xxx series) and all Super Slim models.

Features

Homebrew apps and games.
Backup loading support (ISO, PKG, and folder format).
WebMAN MOD integration.
PS3, PS2 (partial), PS1, and PSP ISO loading.
System call unlocks.
Package manager & debug settings.
Works on latest firmware (4.82 – 4.91 at time of writing).

Installation

Warning: Follow each step carefully. Incorrect installation can result in errors or require a system restore.

Requirements

A PS3 on official firmware 4.82 – 4.91 (any model).
USB storage device formatted to FAT32.
Internet connection (for exploiting via browser).
The latest release of PS3 HEN (download from here).

Step 1 – Prepare your console

Power on your PS3 and update to the latest official firmware supported by HEN (currently 4.91).
Restore default settings (recommended, not mandatory).
Format your USB drive to FAT32 and keep it connected to the console.

Step 2 – Enable the exploit

On your PS3, open the Internet Browser and go to: ps3xploit.me.
Select your firmware version and choose HEN Installer.
The exploit will run. Your PS3 may freeze once or twice – restart and retry until you see "HEN installation successful".
After success, exit the browser.

Step 3 – Install HEN

Go to the Package Manager on the XMB.
Under "Standard" packages, install the "HEN Installer" PKG file that was downloaded.
Once installed, you will now see "Enable HEN" on your XMB.

Step 4 – Activating HEN

Each time you reboot your PS3, you must select "Enable HEN" from the XMB.
After activation, Debug Settings and Package Manager become available.
You can now install and run homebrew PKGs, WebMAN MOD, and other tools.

User guide

Running Homebrew

Install homebrew PKG files via Package Manager → Install Package Files.
Launch them directly from the XMB once HEN is enabled.

Backup Loading

Place ISO or folder-format backups in the appropriate directory on your USB or HDD (e.g. /PS3ISO).
Use WebMAN MOD or multiMAN to mount and run them.

Plugin support

HEN supports lightweight VSH plugins:

/dev_hdd0/plugins/webftp_server.sprx
/dev_hdd0/plugins/psnpatch.sprx

Plugins can be managed with WebMAN MOD’s settings.

Screenshots

Changelog

v3.4.0

HEN Global Changes

Added support for 4.92 CEX firmware (HFW) (thanks Joonie).

HEN Plugin Changes

Added HEN restore functionality for new package that supports HEN surviving an HDD reformat (thanks LuanTeles).
Added create_default_dirs function for creating standard folders if missing on dev_hdd0 (thanks LuanTeles).
Added DLOG function for output to usb000 (Developers Only).
Added cleaning PSN files (thanks LuanTeles).
Cleaned up clear_web_cache_check function (browser and PSN files).
Updated functions for LED presets.
Updated set_build_type function to check USB ports 000 - 007 (For Developer Mode).
Updated emergency installer to check USB ports 000 - 007 (HEN_UPD.pkg from USB).

Payload Changes

Now renaming boot plugin files temporarily, instead of deleting them if WMM is found during installation.
Updated cellFsMkdir_symbol offsets.
Added cellFsRename_symbol.
Added support for rap.bin at /dev_hdd0/game/PS3XPLOIT/USRDIR/rap.bin when the make_rif function runs. Also supports default COBRA paths.
Changes made to make_rif functionality for better performance (thanks aldostools).
Implemented optimized read rap.bin functionality (thanks Evilnat).

Resource Changes

Added new custom coldboot RAF files for release, debug, usb, and DEX (thanks Charles_n_town).
Using PS3XPLOIT game directory to add HEN install status to GAMEDATA db, for surviving HDD format (hidden from XMB) (thanks LuanTeles).
Fixed seg_mcutility entry in category_game.xml (Fixes issue with PS1/PS2 virtual memory card menu item) (thanks LuanTeles).
Added PS Home link installer/launcher under PSN category (thanks DeViL303).

---

v3.3.0

HEN Global Changes

Added support for 4.91 CEX firmware (HFW) (thanks Joonie).

HEN Plugin Changes

Fixed early reboot problem with HEN_UPD.PKG for Emergency USB Recovery.

Payload Changes

Fixed issue with PSP Launcher (thanks aldostools, LuanTeles).

Resource Changes

Added Toggle 99 Percent Package Install/Delete option in HFW Tools → Maintenance (thanks zmod).
Updated download_list.xml to use updated paths on dev_hdd0 (thanks LuanTeles, DeViL303).
Added support for PS Home Catalogue path in download_list.xml (thanks DeViL303, LuanTeles, aldostools).
Added support for dev_usb002 – dev_usb007 in package manager (thanks LuanTeles).

---

v3.2.2

HEN Global Changes

Added support for 4.80 and 4.81 CEX firmware.
Added support for 4.82 DEX firmware.
Automatic Updates are now disabled by default (toggle available in HFW Tools → Maintenance).

HEN Plugin Changes

Added support for RCO Sounds and LED Status (thanks aldostools).
Updated install finished detection method (thanks aldostools).
Updated and cleaned up downloadPKG_thread2 function.
Added detection of dev_build toggle for usb000 and usb001.

Payload Changes

Fixed pad function to not hang when more than one device is connected (thanks aldostools).
Disabled VSH Attach To Debugger as default to avoid conflicts with some CFW (4.82/4.84 DEX).
Multiple PSP launcher updates (blacklisting + more) (thanks aldostools).
Added L2 to disable mappath remap on HEN launch.

Resource Changes

Updated software_update_plugin.rco message to display the .me domain instead of the .com.
Added Uninstall HEN option to HFW Tools → Maintenance.
Added Disable Remapping On Next Reboot option to HFW Tools → Maintenance (thanks Fredy66).
Added Toggle Hotkey Polling option to HFW Tools → Maintenance (thanks FFF256).
Added Toggle app_home Support option to HFW Tools → Maintenance (thanks Fredy66).
Added Enable Quick Preview Option On XMB to HFW Tools → Developer.

---

v3.2.1

HEN Global Changes

Added support for 4.84 DEX firmware.
Updated DEX resources and stackframe (4.84 DEX/PEX only) (thanks Joonie).
Added support for 4.83 firmware (HFW) (thanks Joonie).
Re-added support for 4.82 firmware (OFW).
Updates to PS3HEN_GEN and added makefile (thanks bucanero).

Installer Changes

Bytes written by webkit if HEN is loaded from HTML, setting the installing flag.
Added downloadhenD() for DEX p3t download if DEX checkbox is checked (4.82D/4.84D only).

HEN Plugin Changes

Added check for WebMAN-MOD. If installed, will download package with WMM included during HEN installation.
Updated peekq offsets and values for CEX/DEX when downloading packages.

Payload Changes

Updated detected COBRA version to 8.4.
Updated PS3MAPI_CORE_VERSION to 1.24 (thanks bucanero).
Added check for HEN installing. Boot plugins text files will be deleted if HEN is run from installer HTML.
Updated UMD/PSP blacklisting and fixed spacing (thanks aldostools).

Resource Changes

Added VSH message to alert users of deleted boot plugins text.
Updated HEN Welcome Message for developer mode/release.

---

v3.2.0

HEN Global Changes

Added support for 4.90 firmware (thanks lmn7, Joonie).
Xai updated to support new HFW Tools options (thanks Evilnat).

HEN Plugin Changes

Automatic reboot after successful initial HEN installation from Network and USB.
Added Clear Browser Cache code (disabled, moved to xai_plugin) (thanks xfrcc).
Attempted improvements to plugin unload stability (thanks aldostools, TheRouLetteBoi).
Updated host domain to ps3xploit.me.

Payload Changes

Added mutex functionality to map_path and open_path_hook (thanks bguerville).
Updated and optimized map_path and open_path_hook, keeping support for legacy homebrew (thanks bguerville).
Added stat to open_path_hook for DEBUG builds (thanks DeViL303, bguerville).
Adjusted compatibility for modules patching (4.84–4.88 share values, 4.89 unique).
Added support for custom subchannel data via LSD files (thanks aldostools).
PSX BIOS patched with product code 0x85 for PAL games (thanks aldostools).
Option to force PAL or NTSC via filename (thanks aldostools).
Added support for .sbi files and improved subchannel performance (thanks aldostools).
Added toggle for libaudio BT patch (thanks in1975).
Updated act.dat restore (thanks bucanero).
Support for lowercase/uppercase rap extension (thanks aldostools).
Added button detection on launch: hold R2 to disable boot plugins.

Resource Changes

HEN Enable and Package Manager separated from category_game.xml.
Package Manager hidden on boot, shown when HEN launches (thanks LuanTeles, DeViL303).
HEN Enable egg menu shown on boot, hidden after XMB refresh (thanks LuanTeles, DeViL303).
Added Developer options under HFW Tools → Developer.
Added Release/Debug mode switch (thanks LuanTeles).
Option to remove hen_enable.png for browser install.
Support limited to Stock and Rebug themes.

---

v3.1.1

Payload Changes

HOTFIX: Updated HEN_REV to 0x0311.

Resource Changes

Replaced explore_plugin.sprx with OFW version (4.89 only).
Removed unused OFW-matching RCO files.
Temporary fix for display issues with Trophies, Package Manager, and XMB items (thanks to community testers).

---

v3.1.0

HEN Plugin Changes

Added support for 4.89 HFW.
Added act.dat Backup/Restore feature (thanks bucanero).

Payload Changes

Updated to support 4.89 HFW.
COBRA PS3MAPI updated for 4.89 firmware.

Resource Changes

Added Dump PSID option to HFW Tools.
Added Toggle Automatic Update option to HFW Tools.
Updated Theme Selector text in HFW Tools.
Added new icons for updated HFW Tools (thanks xps3riments).
Updated RCO files and layout fixes for 4.89 (thanks sandungas).

---

v3.0.3

HEN Plugin Changes

Updated to support 4.88 HFW.

Payload Changes

Updated to support 4.88 HFW.
COBRA PS3MAPI updated for 4.88 firmware.

---

v3.0.2

HEN Plugin Changes

Updated to support 4.87 HFW.

Payload Changes

Updated to support 4.87 HFW.
COBRA PS3MAPI updated for 4.87 firmware.

Resource Changes

Updated HEN Loader category.xml icon (thanks xps3riments).

---

v3.0.1

Global Changes

Updated to support 4.86 HFW.

HEN Plugin Changes

Updated to support 4.86 HFW.

Payload Changes

Updated to support 4.86 HFW.
COBRA PS3MAPI improvements (thanks TheRouLetteBoi):
- Added better process memory write function.
- Added ps3mapi_process_page_allocate for injecting code into processes.
- Added ps3mapi_get_process_module_info to retrieve module info.
- Added ps3mapi_create_process_thread for lightweight function injection.

---

v3.0.0

Global Changes

Dropped official support for 4.82 firmware.

HEN Plugin Changes

Fixed freezing if DVD/CD inserted when enabling HEN.
Error message shown if reply length too short from server.

Payload Changes

Fixed freezing issues on all models.
Fixed incompatibility with certain models.
Improved sanity checks.

There are more versions but the changelog would be too big

Media

Video Tutorial And Showcase (Blaine Locklair)

External links

Official site - https://ps3xploit.me/
GitHub - https://github.com/PS3Xploit/PS3HEN
Guide - https://consolemods.org/wiki/PS3:PS3HEN