Relapse reportedly launched on September 29, 2026, for PS5 firmware 7.00 through 13.60, the range listed by the project. That puts firmware 14.00.00, which arrived in mid-September 2026, beyond Relapse’s stated compatibility.
Relapse’s stated range ends at firmware 13.60
The Relapse project lists PlayStation 5 system software versions 7.00 through 13.60 as supported. Firmware 14.00.00 falls outside that range. As newer games and updates can require newer system software, the firmware boundary matters to players weighing homebrew access against keeping up with game requirements.
How the exploit chain works
The project describes a browser stage followed by a kernel stage. The kernel stage provides read/write access to kernel memory—the part of the operating system that manages core system functions—and an ELF loader listens for payloads on port 9021.
Payloads such as etaHEN are separate software, not the exploit itself. Full Linux on PS5 is a separate effort reported for firmware 7.61 or earlier.
Risks the project lists
The project warns that the browser can stall and the kernel exploit can hang or panic the console. Its disclaimer also lists system instability, data loss and possible account bans as risks.
