A new public jailbreak for the PlayStation 5 arrived on September 29, 2026. The Relapse exploit chain, published by developer Nathan Fargo, covers system software from version 7.00 through 13.60. That range includes both the original PS5 and the PS5 Pro.
The previous public kernel jailbreak stopped at firmware 12.70. Relapse moves that line forward by several versions and works on every hardware revision that has not updated to 14.00, which Sony released on September 16.
Community testers say the new chain loads in seconds rather than the long waits some older methods required on mid-range firmware. After a reboot the console returns to a stock state, so the jailbreak has to be applied again. That tethered design is typical of current PS5 homebrew work.
What the Relapse Chain Covers
Relapse is an exploit chain that starts in the browser and reaches kernel access on supported firmware. Reports from the scene say it works on disc and digital models alike. It does not require a saved game, a Blu-ray disc, or a dumped title to begin.
Once running, testers have loaded the usual homebrew payloads. That includes tools for unsigned applications and game backups. Several projects that already listed 13.60 support in their documentation can now be used with a public kernel entry instead of private builds.
The drop does not include a new hypervisor exploit. Linux on newer hardware remains limited compared with older firmware such as 7.61 and below.
Firmware 14.00 sits outside the supported range. Anyone who updated after mid-September is not covered.
Why Some Fans Are Treating This as a Win
The timing landed in a year when many PlayStation owners are already angry at Sony.
On July 1, Sony announced it would stop producing physical discs for new PlayStation games starting in January 2028. The statement triggered petitions, boycott talk, and weeks of backlash. Sony later surveyed developers about the decision, which some read as a sign the company felt the heat.
In court, Sony lawyers argued that no reasonable consumer expected to own the digital games they bought. On September 1, 551 purchased movies vanished from PlayStation libraries with no refunds. Hideo Kojima said Sony cancelled Physint over a video call and still has not given him a clear reason. Hardware and PlayStation Plus price increases earlier in 2026 added to the list.
Against that backdrop, parts of the community treated Relapse as a small act of pushback. Posts framed it as proof that hardware people already paid for is not fully locked down. Others just wanted homebrew, backups, and extra tools on consoles they own. Celebration and spite mixed in the same threads.
What It Means for the Scene
Public kernel access on 13.60 is the widest window the PS5 homebrew scene has had. Tools that waited on a public kernel can now be tested on current retail units, including the Pro.
The practical limits remain familiar. The jailbreak is tethered. Online play on a modified console still carries the usual account and ban risks. Sony can close the hole with a firmware update at any time.
Coverage from gaming sites already notes the piracy angle. Games released before 14.00, including recent first-party titles, sit inside the window for anyone who stayed on 13.60. That is the part Sony will care about most.
What Happens Next
Sony has a long record of patching public exploits once they leave private circles. A follow-up firmware that cuts off Relapse is the expected next step.
Until then, 7.00 through 13.60 is the live range. Owners who care about this access have the same advice the scene has used for years: do not update if you want to keep the door open. Firmware 14.00 already exists and sits on the other side of that door.
Whether Relapse becomes a lasting platform for homebrew or a short burst of activity depends on how fast Sony ships the patch and how quickly the community keeps the tools working.
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