Now that GoldHEN has been updated for the latest firmwares, we thought we’d make a quick tutorial that clearly describes all the steps needed to jailbreak your console.

This guide is intended for those who own a PlayStation 4 console running firmware 12.00 or 12.02. Further updates with new features and support for other firmwares are expected in the future.

This guide will show you how to setup a jailbreak with firmware 12.00 or 12.02 using GoldHEN , with instructions for updating the firmware (if necessary) and configuring the autoloader to simplify the process.

Note: If you are running a lower firmware (e.g. 11.02–11.52), it is recommended not to upgrade, as compatible exploits, such as those based on WebKit, may be released in the future. Until official support from GoldHEN is available, you can use open-source builds of HEN developed by Echo Stretch .

Prerequisites

PS4 with firmware 12.00 or 12.02 (or lower, if you intend to update).
Computer with Internet connection.
USB stick formatted in exFAT or FAT32.
GoldHEN 2.4 B18.4 file (file goldhen.bin, available for free on Ko-fi with optional donation).
Decompression software: 7-Zip or WinRAR to open the compressed file.
Autoloader (optional, to automatically load the payload).
Firmware update file 12.02 (if needed, download from sites like darksoftware.xyz or similar).
Game with autoloader (e.g. Lua game, optional to simplify jailbreak loading).

Preliminary steps on PS4

Disable automatic updates :
- Go to Settings > Notifications > Downloads .
- Delete any queued system updates (e.g. 12.50). Press the Options key and select Delete.
- Go to Settings > System > Automatic Downloads .
- Uncheck the boxes for System Software Update Files and Application Update Files .
Turn off Internet connection :
- Go to Settings > Network .
- Uncheck Connect to the Internet to prevent automatic updates.
Check your firmware version :
- Go to Settings > System > System information .
- Confirm that your firmware is 12.00 or 12.02. If you are on a lower firmware (e.g. 11.02–11.52), follow the next step to update. If you are already on 12.00 or 12.02, skip to the jailbreak section.

Step 1: Update to firmware 12.00 / 12.02 (if necessary)

Download the update file :
- Please visit one of the following sites to download firmware 12.00 / 12.02:
  - darksoftware.xyz (“PS4 Firmware List” section, select 12.00 or 12.02).
  - darthsternie.net/ps4-firmwares/ .
- Download the official update file for PS4 (file .pup).
Prepare the USB stick :
- Connect a USB stick to your computer.
- Make sure it is formatted as exFAT or FAT32 :
  - On Windows, right-click on the USB stick, select Properties and check the file system.
  - If necessary, format the USB stick (back up your data first if necessary):
    - Right click, select Format , choose exFAT or FAT32 and complete the formatting.
Create the folder structure :
- In the root of the USB stick, create a folder called PS4 (all caps).
- Inside the PS4 folder , create a folder called UPDATE (all caps).
- Copy the downloaded update file into the UPDATE folder .
- Rename the file to PS4UPDATE.PUP (all caps). To enable extensions:
  - On Windows, go to View > Show > File Name Extensions and make sure it is selected.
Install the update on your PS4 :
- Safely eject the USB flash drive from your computer.
- Connect the dongle to a USB port on your PS4.
- Go to Settings > System Software Update .
- Select Update via USB media .
- The PS4 should detect firmware 12.02. Press to proceed, accept the terms and conditions and wait for the installation to complete.
- The console will restart automatically.
Check the firmware :
- Go back to Settings > System > System Information and confirm that the system software version is 12.00 or 12.02

Step 2: GoldHEN Payload Preparation

Download GoldHEN 2.4 B18.4:
- Go to Ko-fi and download the GoldHEN 2.4 B18.4 compressed file.
- You can enter “0” as the amount for the free download or make a donation to support SiSTRo .
- Note: Google Chrome may flag the file as dangerous. Go to the Downloads section of the browser, select the file and allow the download manually.
Extract the file:
- Use 7-Zip or WinRAR to unzip the downloaded file.
- Extract the file goldhen.bin. You don’t need the file pppwn_stage2_loaderif you are using the autoloader.
Prepare the USB stick:
- Connect a USB stick formatted in exFAT or FAT32.
- Copy the file goldhen.binto the root of the USB stick (not to a folder).
- Rename the file to payload.bin(make sure file extensions are visible, as described above).
- Eject the flash drive safely.

Step 3: Autoloader Setup

This guide uses an autoloader to simplify loading the jailbreak (e.g. PS4 Auto Lua Loader), which automatically loads the GoldHEN payload from USB or the PS4’s internal disk.

If you don’t have the autoloader configured yet, follow a tutorial or proceed with alternative methods (e.g. PPPwn exploit).

Install the autoloader (if not already done):
- Download the save file for the autoloader.
- Copy the save file to a USB stick and import it to the PS4 using a compatible game (e.g. Lua game).
Load the payload with the autoloader:
- Connect the USB stick with the file payload.binto the PS4.
- Start the game with the autoloader.
- The autoloader will automatically copy the GoldHEN payload to your PS4’s internal disk (folder /data/) and run it, replacing any previous versions of HEN.
- Once copied, you will not need to reinsert the USB stick for subsequent jailbreak runs.

Step 4: Perform Jailbreak

Start Jailbreak:
- Start the game with the autoloader. You should see a message confirming that GoldHEN 2.4 B18.4 is loaded (icon in the top left).
- If the upload fails, repeat the process or verify that the file payload.binis correct.
Check operation:
- Go to Settings > System > System Information to confirm that the firmware is 12.00 or 12.02 and that GoldHEN is active.
- Check for the GoldHEN menu in Settings .

Step 5: Configuring GoldHEN

Access the GoldHEN menu :
- Go to Settings > GoldHEN .
Configure settings :
- Debug Settings : Enable Package Installer to install homebrew applications (.pkg) from USB or internal disk.
- Cheat Settings : Enable Show Title ID to display game IDs (optional, may slow down the menu with many apps).
- Plugin Settings : Enable Plugin Loader and Game Patch Plugin for game patches.
- Server Settings – Enable FTP Server for remote access to your PS4 disc and Bin Loader Server for uploading payloads over the network.
- Sleep Mode Support : Enable to keep GoldHEN awake after sleep mode.
- Klog Settings : Leave unchanged.
Install homebrew applications :
- Connect a USB stick with files .pkg(e.g. Apollo Save Tool, Homebrew Store).
- Go to Settings > GoldHEN > Debug Settings > Package Installer and install the packages.
- Applications will appear on the PS4 main menu.
Check the applications :
- Launch a homebrew application (e.g. Apollo Save Tool) to confirm that the jailbreak is working properly.

Jailbreak Management

Tethered Jailbreak : Jailbreaking is disabled when the PS4 is restarted. Installed applications will display a padlock and will not run until the exploit is re-run.
- Solution : Use rest mode instead of turning off the console. With rest mode support enabled in GoldHEN, the jailbreak will remain active after waking up from rest mode.
Reboot : If you turn off your PS4, you will have to repeat the jailbreak process (PPPoE setup, running the exploit, testing your Internet connection).

Advice for users on lower firmwares (11.02–11.52)

Upgrading to firmware 12.02 is not recommended: this version introduces security fixes that may prevent future exploits, especially those based on WebKit, from working. It is preferable to stay on the current firmware and use open-source versions of HEN developed by Echo Stretch, which provide similar functionality, including:
- FTP server, plugin support, Klog server.
- New Shell UI plugin with options like installing packages, blocking updates, title ID spoofing, disabling ASLR, etc.
Switch to GoldHEN as soon as a version compatible with your firmware is available.

Final notes

Support SiSTRo : Please consider donating on Ko-fi to support the development of GoldHEN, even though it is free to download.
Semi-persistent exploit : The team is exploring a semi-persistent method to keep the jailbreak active after a reboot, based on XML parsing and WebKit, but it is not yet available.
Risks : Jailbreaking may result in a PlayStation Network ban or void your warranty. Use with caution and disconnect your PS4 from the Internet when using homebrew applications.

Troubleshooting

Payload loading error : Please verify that the file is named correctly payload.binand that the USB stick is formatted in exFAT/FAT32.
Autoloader not working : Follow a specific tutorial to setup the save file or use alternative methods like PPPwn.
Update Blocker : GoldHEN automatically blocks system updates, so you should not receive update notifications once it is active.