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PlayStation Vita owners have been waiting with bated breath for Vita scene hacker TheFloW to release his latest exploit: h-encore. This marks the second ever major exploit for the Vita, following the 3.60 Henkaku hack. For the first time, OFW 3.65, 3.67, and 3.68 can be modified to run backups, run homebrew, and more. Adrenaline, which lets users exploit the PSP side of the Vita, has also been updated as of two days ago, to support the latest firmwares.

To use h-encore, you're going to need a PS Vita on firmware 3.65 or above, be linked (though not activated) to a PSN account, and if you're using a OLED Vita, you'll also need a memory card.

Enso can also be installed, but only for those who are on 3.65--there's no current support for Enso on higher firmware. TheFloW's instructions note that this installation is far more complex than previous Henkaku releases, and will require more work to ensure that it works correctly.

Note that the following guide is for advanced users and a bit more complicated than the previous hack that only required you to visit a website. If you don't understand the guide below or how to use these tools, you should neither file an issue here nor annoy me on twitter, but rather seek help on /r/vitahacks (check for duplicated questions first!) or wait for an easy installer.

1. Download and install qcma, psvimgtools and pkg2zip (check the releases section).
   
   
2. Download the vulnerable DRM-free demo of bitter smile (yes, that's the user entry point).
   
   
3. Download h-encore and extract it on your computer.
   
   
4. Extract the demo using:
   
   pkg2zip -x PATH_OF_PKG
   
   This will output the files to app/PCSG90096.
   
   
5. Copy the contents of the output app/PCSG90096 to the folder h-encore/app/ux0_temp_game_PCSG90096_app_PCSG90096(such that the files eboot.bin and VITA_PATH.TXT are within the same folder).
   
   
6. Copy the license file app/PCSG90096/sce_sys/package/temp.bin to the folder
   h-encore/license/ux0_temp_game_PCSG90096_license_app_PCSG90096 and rename the just pasted file temp.bin to 6488b73b912a753a492e2714e9b38bc7.rif. Again, this file should be in the same folder as VITA_PATH.TXT.
   
   
7. Start qcma and within the qcma settings set the option Use this version for updates to FW 0.00 (Always up-to-date).
   
   
8. Launch Content Manager on your PS Vita and connect it to your computer, where you then need to select PC -> PS Vita System, and after that you select Applications. If you see an error message about System Software, you should simply reboot your device to solve it. This should create a folder at PS Vita/APP/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx on your computer (see qcma settings where this folder is), where the folder xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx represents the AID (account ID) that you need to insert here. If the AID is valid, it will yield a key that you can now use to encrypt the demo.
   
   
9. Change directory to the h-encore folder in terminal and use the key to encrypt all folders that are listed below using:
   
   psvimg-create -n X -K YOUR_KEY X PCSG90096/X
   
   Where X is (yes, repeat it 4 times or write a script for that):
   • app
   • appmeta
   • license
   • savedata
   The folder h-encore/PCSG90096 should then contain sce_sys and all 4 folders from above, and within these folders you should find files called X.psvimg and X.psvmd, where X has the same name as the folder. Backup this folder, since if everything has been done correctly, you don't need to redo all the steps to install it onto another device with the same PSN account.
   
   
10. Copy the folder h-encore/PCSG90096 to PS Vita/APP/xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx/PCSG90096 and refresh the database under qcma settings.
    
    
11. The h-encore bubble with a size of around 243 MB should now appear in the Content Manager and that's what you finally need to transfer to your PS Vita.
    
    
12. Launch h-encore to exploit your device (if a message about trophies appears, simply click yes). The screen should first flash white, then purple, and finally open a menu called h-encore bootstrap menu where you can download VitaShell and install HENkaku.
    
    
13. Enjoy. Note that you have to relaunch the exploit everytime you reboot or shutdown your device. Of course if you only put your device into standby mode, you don't need to relaunch.

GitHub
TheFloW's Twitter
For those on 3.60

 

[Sheimi]

https://github.com/noahc3/auto-h-encore

which worked liked a charm

 

[AndrewH]

which worked liked a charm

oh nice! So someone actually used this method and it worked, first time around and without issue??

 

[ben-v]

Thanks for the post about auto-h-encore but when I define the qcma location and write my AID, the start button does not enable.
Anyone have a solution for this?

Thanks in advance

Edit: forget it, I got an answer on the other thread and install it without any problem on a vita slim

 

[Sheimi]

oh nice! So someone actually used this method and it worked, first time around and without issue??

Yeah, no issue at all. Copied to my Ps Vita TV with no problem. I used auto.h-encore_v0.1.1

 

[AndrewH]

Yeah, no issue at all. Copied to my Ps Vita TV with no problem. I used auto.h-encore_v0.1.1

Very cool! May give this a shot myself! Thanks so much for confirming! Wish me luck!

 

[Dankmemes420]

Soo I fixed my other issue however I install h-encore so the henkaku and then I goto instal enso it says success yet when I reboot it's no longer henkakued any help? Yes I'm on 3.65

Does no one know why enso wont install? I'm on 3.65 henkakued with h-encore, enso runs fine says it was successful and then on reboot henkaku needs to be installed again....

 

[xXxSwagnemitexXx]

i used auto h-encore and it worked perfectly, again, heres the link: https://github.com/noahc3/auto-h-encore

 

[AndrewH]

Off topic, but how do we get Adrenaline on here now? What is the best method to do so, with 3.68 with h-encore just freshly installed.

Thanks! =D

 

[ultimatepump]

I'm gonna try this auto tool. Any of you have success in getting sd2vita work and not give corruption errors when opening anything? Please explain....

I put the ux0 on the sd card and still no go. Shows the 29gb in storage but can't open vitashell or homebrew browser or h-encore either unless I reset the taihen config and then I'm right back at the beginning

 

[Purple_Heart]

use this

https://github.com/CelesteBlue-dev/PSVita-StorageMgr/releases

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

the gamesd.skprx is not compatible with h-encore. this plugin is automatic and replaces the old one

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

can i transfer nonpdrm games via USB? or do i have to use sh....y FTP?

 

[ultimatepump]

use this

https://github.com/CelesteBlue-dev/PSVita-StorageMgr/releases

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------


the gamesd.skprx is not compatible with h-encore. this plugin is automatic and replaces the old one

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

can i transfer nonpdrm games via USB? or do i have to use sh....y FTP?

Man... now what do I do if gamesd.skprx isn't supported?

 

[Priestiality]

can i transfer nonpdrm games via USB? or do i have to use sh....y FTP?

Assuming you have access to the folder yes. VitaShell USB connection seems kinda finicky about picking between uma and ux sometimes in my experience, even if inside that folder when starting USB. If using SD2Vita as ux0 I think the fastest way is just to write to the card directly using a MicroSD reader. You may need to refresh LiveArea in VitaShell if it doesn't do it automatically for the external card reader method.

 

[WeedZ]

Off topic, but how do we get Adrenaline on here now? What is the best method to do so, with 3.68 with h-encore just freshly installed.

Thanks! =D

https://vita.cfw.guide/more/adrenaline/

 

[yeshuachrist]

use this

https://github.com/CelesteBlue-dev/PSVita-StorageMgr/releases

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

the gamesd.skprx is not compatible with h-encore. this plugin is automatic and replaces the old one

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

can i transfer nonpdrm games via USB? or do i have to use sh....y FTP?

I'm using gamesd.skprx, it works fine the version 1.3, on 3.68. (I only used sandisk 128gig so far, but this time, i got a PNY 64 gig for h-encore on the pstv).

Couldn't get "themes" to work from nonpdrm, just copy pasting to the "bgdl" folder, think thats what its called.

(Talisman game for vita nonpdrm, did not work) (this game worked on 3.65 henkaku enso, maybe because it doesn't need a work.bin file or something to work)

"Day D Tower Rush worked", so the h-encore is working find. Just haven't added much games, because, not sure if I should buy a psn gift card for something I missed, or wait for it , super robot wars x full english = use google, ugh, for a good price on play-asia.

 

[Purple_Heart]

Assuming you have access to the folder yes. VitaShell USB connection seems kinda finicky about picking between uma and ux sometimes in my experience, even if inside that folder when starting USB. If using SD2Vita as ux0 I think the fastest way is just to write to the card directly using a MicroSD reader. You may need to refresh LiveArea in VitaShell if it doesn't do it automatically for the external card reader method.

solved it i copied my ux0 (sony memcard) to pc ..formatted my microsd.. copied the ux0 folder to it....i have a app folder on sd i copied the games on it... worked

 

[cowboy619]

Hi guys. Quick question. Do I still need the memory card after I've done the hack cos I am using a sd2vita card. Thinking of using my memory card on my friends psv who doesn't have a memory card

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3010 using Tapatalk

 

[Alex4nder001]

Don’t link directly to Sony’s servers for the demo .pkg file. Soon Sony will pull it from their servers and patch it as soon as they hear about this exploit, and then we have to wait 10 years for another exploit.
A better option would be to host the .pkg file on Mediafire/Google drive

 

[AndrewH]

Question... h-encore came out to 243mb once compiled and ready to be transferred to my Vita, but if I go into Content Manager and check its size, once installed, it is now reading 266mb. Not a big deal, but curious if the size discrepancy is normal and if you guys are seeing the same thing on your end? I swear it read 243mb at once point, but now 266mb. Where did the other 23mb of bloat come from? Apologies for likely a silly question, but I just want to make sure everything is ok and nothing has gone amiss, or will go amiss if the size is off. Thanks.

 

[8BitWonder]

Question... h-encore came out to 243mb once compiled and ready to be transferred to my Vita, but if I go into Content Manager and check its size, once installed, it is now reading 266mb. Not a big deal, but curious if the size discrepancy is normal and if you guys are seeing the same thing on your end? I swear it read 243mb at once point, but now 266mb. Where did the other 23mb of bloat come from? Apologies for likely a silly question, but I just want to make sure everything is ok and nothing has gone amiss, or will go amiss if the size is off. Thanks.

Probably nothing to worry about, but speaking of file sizes that reminds me:

This post here details how to shrink the h-encore size down to 19MB-35MB (by removing unneeded game assets)
https://www.reddit.com/r/vitahacks/comments/8vlp9h/hencore_from_261mb_to_35mb/

 

[AndrewH]

That is awesome, but I used auto h-encore and with everything already on my Vita, I don't want to have to do it all again manually, in order to shed those files to save space... unless of course, I can do it after it is already installed?