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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

 

[AkikoKumagara]

i created all folders (all data are 1kb each) is it right or did i something wrong

The psvmd files should all be 1KB if that's what you're referring to.
If the psvimg files are 1KB, though, you're doing something wrong.

 

[Robika]

I just played it safe and completely unlinked my account. Created a new hacking account for H-Encore. I've spent WAY to much money from PS3 & PS4 purchases to lose it. Sony may have not issued bans yet because there was a small majority who was lucky enough to be on outdated firmware. Now that every Vita has the ability to be exploited, Sony may decide to "act out" in a few weeks...or best case scenario they literally do not care..?

Remember Sony didn't care about PS3 hacking? Then after modded consoles were going on Black Ops II they immediately threw the ban hammer. Since there has been no reports of Sony PSN banning (IP bans have been reported) we don't know what triggers a potential ban or if they are keeping logs of everyone who has ever used a modded vita on HenHaku

TLDR; If you use your legitimate account, you're at the mercy of Sony now and in the future.

SO if I create a new account can I relink later to keep playing my original games?

 

[stanleyopar2000]

SO if I create a new account can I relink later to keep playing my original games?

I'm not sure...I think there is an account switcher homebrew but I'm pretty new at the Vita scene myself. Someone with a little more experience has to answer that question

 

[Purple_Heart]

i did it. it worked..it errored out because of typingerrors....

 

[stanleyopar2000]

Does anyone know if it's possible to make a psn account on firmware 3.60 or 3.65 since the tutorial says you need a psn account to use this as someone who never made a psn account on a vita?

https://gbatemp.net/threads/h-encor...eleased-by-theflow.509720/page-2#post-8108449

Had the same issue. This will help

 

[Purple_Heart]

it says i have to dload it from PSStore again......

 

[SuperDan]

If you're not a developer on GitHub you want to click "RELEASES" tab these are the compiled binary programs for use

https://github.com/mmozeiko/pkg2zip/releases

click and download the zip file for 32Bit or 64bit..depending on what your computer is. That .exe file in the zip is the pkg2zip program. Put that in the h-encore folder along with the PKG file. They both should be in the same h-encore directory

yeah that worked but what now ..sorry but im still confused...

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.

i dont know if im really this dumb .... or its just a confusing read..?

 

[DonCaballero]

I want it but I'm too stupid, gonna wait a bit to see if there's a more streamlined method.

 

[cvskid]

https://gbatemp.net/threads/h-encor...eleased-by-theflow.509720/page-2#post-8108449

Had the same issue. This will help

Thank you very much! This worked perfectly.

 

[stanleyopar2000]

Thank you very much! This worked perfectly.

No problem. Pay it forward right?

 

[Bonny]

Any benefits for Slim Vita and PS Vita TV users who are already on Enso 3.65 by going throuh this rather compley (update) process ???

 

[cvskid]

No problem. Pay it forward right?

For sure

 

[chrisnasah]

need help with step 9 psvimg-create' is not recognized as an internal or external command

 

[Priestiality]

need help with step 9 psvimg-create' is not recognized as an internal or external command

Set up your folder so it looks like the first image in this post.

 

[Purple_Heart]

i didnt name the filesin the folders X does it matter?

 

[Lunalik]

My files are 243 mb, the right size, but it gives me an error when I try to copy it...

 

[Purple_Heart]

right filesize .. it shows as encore but when i launch it its the bitter smile game...

 

[Lunalik]

My files are 243 mb, the right size, but it gives me an error when I try to copy it...

It has no progress, then after a few seconds, it gives a ridiculous eta. Finally, a little slimmer of progress appears, and boom " An error has occurred. (C2-12858-4)".

 

[Priestiality]

My files are 243 mb, the right size, but it gives me an error when I try to copy it...

I had an error the first time I tried and it was because I didn't capitalize the -K in step 9.

 

[Lunalik]

I had an error the first time I tried and it was because I didn't capitalize the -K in step 9.

I retried, and I literally copied the command (obviously changing the key).