Installing h-encore

Installing h-encore

Required Reading

The h-encore exploit chain for the PS Vita (TV) allows for the installation of homebrew applications to your home screen. It is compatible with the firmware versions 3.65 and 3.68.

Note that the h-encore exploit chain is not “persistent” (meaning it does not remain installed after a reboot). For the purposes of these instructions, we will be merely using it in order to gain the level of access required to downgrade to firmware version 3.60 in order to install more powerful exploits.

In addition to installing the h-encore exploit, we enable access to “unsafe” homebrew which gives extended permissions to homebrew applications. This idea could be considered analogous to the “administrator” mode on a computer.

If you have a PS Vita 1000, you must also have an official Sony memory card (of any size) to follow this guide. This restriction does not apply to the PS Vita 2000 or PS TV as those devices have a built-in memory card.

What You Need

• The latest release of finalhe

Instructions

Section I - finalhe

1.Copy the contents of the finalhe .zip to a folder on your computer
2.Launch finalhe on your computer

• If you are using a Windows computer and are prompted to allow finalhe network access through the firewall, do so

3.Launch the Content Manager application on your device
4.Select “Copy Content”
5.Select “PC”
6.Select the method you wish to use to connect to finalhe

• If you are prompted to log-in to a PlayStation Network Account, do so
• If you do not have a PlayStation Network Account, create one

7.Select / register your computer if prompted

• If you encounter a message instructing you to update, reboot your device and try again
• If you still encounter this message, follow the instructions on Blocking Updates and try again
• If you still encounter this message, enable Flight Mode in the System Settings and try again (this will not work on PS TVs)
• If your device is not detected over USB on Windows, install QcmaDriver_winusb and try again

Section II - h-encore Transfer

1.Select “Trim h-encore to ~13MB”
2.Select “Let’s GO!”

• The exploit files will be automatically downloaded and prepared
• This process will take some time

3.Select “PC -> PS Vita System” on your device
4.Select “Applications”
5.Select “PS Vita”
6.Select “h-encore”
7.Select “Copy”
8.Select “OK”

• The h-encore exploit will be copied to your device
• This process will take some time

9.Close the Content Manager application on your device
10.Close finalhe on your computer

Section III - Configuring h-encore

1.Launch the h-encore application while holding (R)

• If prompted about trophies, continue holding (R) and select “Yes”

2.If the exploit was successful, you will now see the h-encore bootstrap menu

• If the exploit is stuck on a white screen, simply close the application (which will cause a crash and reboot your device), then try again
• If it is still stuck, hold the power button down for over 30 seconds to force a reboot, then try again

3.Select “Install HENkaku”

• This will install the HENkaku exploit and enable homebrew access until the next reboot

4.Select “Download VitaShell”

• This will install the VitaShell homebrew application for managing your device’s filesystem
• VitaShell (and all homebrew applications in general) will remain installed after a reboot, but will give an error on launch if the HENkaku exploit is not active

5.Select “Exit”

Section IV - Configuring HENkaku

1.Launch the Settings application
2.Navigate to HENkaku Settings

• If HENkaku Settings is missing, select the “Reset taiHEN config.txt” in the h-encore bootstrap menu, then try again

3.Check “Enable Unsafe Homebrew”
4.Return to HENkaku Settings menu
5.Close the Settings application