➤ Get Started


WARNING: This page is still being worked on. Information might be missing or lacking important context. DO NOT cite this page or any information here as a relevant source till this message disappears.

  1. ➽ Basics

    • ➜ What is Homebrew?

      • Homebrew refers to any custom or homemade software or hardware created by hobbyists, enthusiasts, or developers without official support or funding from the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This term is often used in the context of homebrew games, homebrew software, or homebrew firmware for consoles (like PS2), where developers create their own programs or modify existing systems for personal use.

    • ➜ What is Jailbreaking?

      • Jailbreaking refers to the process of removing restrictions imposed by the manufacturer on a device to gain full control over its operating system and allow the installation of third-party applications (Homebrew) or modifications that aren't officially authorized.

    • ➜ Why should I Jailbreak my device?

      • Jailbreaking allows you to customize the appearance of your device with new themes, custom icons and widgets. It also allows you to install custom software and gain access to hidden features that are not available to you otherwise (Eg: Region-free disc playback).

    • ➜ Is Jailbreaking my device legal?

      • Jailbreaking is legal in many countries, but it's legality can vary by region, so it's recommended you check with your local laws before proceeding. All methods of jailbreaking which are provided on this website are considered legal under The U.S. Laws. If you find any material which might violate the law, please raise an issue here.

  2. ➽ Getting started with PS2 Modding

    • ➜ Know your model

      • The PS2 can be classified into 2 main groups:

      1. The Phat (fat) models: The original, launch model
      2. The Slim or Slimline models: Released later and is smaller and more compact

      Images showing PS2 Pha & PS2 Slim

      Left: PS2 Phat | Right: PS2 Slim

      Apart from this, other model groups such as the PSX-DESR, and the Sony Bravia KDL-22PX300 also exist. Since they are quite uncommon outside of certain regions, we won't cover them here.

    • ➜ Getting the exact model number

      • Now that you know which group your console belongs to, we can proceed to look for it's model number.

      1. For Phat model consoles:
        • Look for a label that includes the text Model No. at the back of the console.
        • The model number starts with SCPH- followed by a series of numbers. For example, "SCPH-30004R" or "SCPH-50000".

      2. For Slim model consoles:
        • Flip the console over and look for the label on the bottom.
        • Again, you should see SCPH- followed by a number on a sticker. For example, "SCPH-75001" or "SCPH-90006".

    • ➜ Making sense of the model number

      • Since Sony's SKU-numbering is inconsistent sometimes, this section might not cover all different model groups, if your happens to be one of them raise an issue here.

      • Prefix:
        • The most common prefix is SCPH and denotes that the console is a PS2. The prefix can also be KDLfor the Bravia TV with PS2, DESR for PSX-DESR, DTL-H for Test Kits, DTL-T for Dev Kits, COH-H for arcade hardware and EB for Prototype models. Further sections will cover models starting with SCPH.

      • First two digits:
        • Denote the chassis or motherboard revisions. For our purposes though, knowing that numbers <70XXX represent Phat models and >=70XXX represent Slimline models is enough.

      • Last two digits:
        • Denote the region the console belongs to. They are mostly irrelevant when it comes to determining the functionality of the console, but knowing your region code is handy when using/installing certain homebrew like FreeMCBoot/FreeHDBoot or MechaPwn.

      • Suffixes:
        • Can denote anything from a revision to the Color of the console to it being a Special Edition. The most common suffix is \n and denotes that the console has a bundled Network Adapter.