A new jailbreak named Relapse has surfaced for the PlayStation 5, expanding unofficial software capabilities across consoles running firmware versions 7.00 through 13.60. The development encompasses standard PlayStation 5 units as well as the recently launched PS5 Pro, provided the systems have not received system updates distributed over the past week.
Exploit Architecture and Capabilities
Relapse functions by chaining browser-based and kernel exploits together. This combination allows the tool to secure both read and write access at the kernel level. By achieving this level of administrative control over the operating system, the exploit creates an environment capable of executing supplemental payloads.
Among the supported payloads is etaHEN, a widely recognized homebrew enabler in the PlayStation community. With etaHEN and kernel access active, the console is unlocked to run software outside of Sony’s approved ecosystem. Documented use cases for the jailbreak include running custom homebrew utilities, applying third-party game modifications, and using software emulators, such as emulators configured to run Nintendo Switch titles. In addition to emulation and modifications, bypassing platform restrictions also permits the unauthorized installation of pirated games, though utilizing these exploits carries recognized operational and security risks for end users.
Firmware Dependencies and the Version 14.00 Obstacle
Although Relapse opens access for an expansive range of consoles up to firmware 13.60, its practical longevity faces immediate resistance from Sony’s regular system update cycle. In order to access certain game updates and upcoming titles, newer firmware builds are rapidly becoming mandatory.
Reports indicate that firmware 14.00 is already being required by game software updates, presenting an operational impasse for console owners seeking to preserve exploit access. Maintaining a jailbroken status requires keeping the operating system locked below version 13.60, whereas modern titles and online-connected patch systems often enforce current platform revisions.
The Dilemma for Disc and Digital Releases
A clear demonstration of this platform tension can be seen in the requirements surrounding Marvel’s Wolverine. Users analyzing compatibility have noted that the physical disc version of the game initially requires PlayStation 5 firmware version 13.40. Applying patch 1.001.005 to that physical installation increases the threshold to firmware version 13.60, which remains fully within the functional parameters of the Relapse exploit.
However, parity breaks down when examining digital distribution. Reports indicate that the identical 1.001.005 game patch for the digital edition of Marvel’s Wolverine mandates firmware version 14.00. This requirement pushes the console beyond the 13.60 ceiling established by Relapse, immediately rendering the jailbreak inoperable for players choosing to update.
This dynamic leaves PlayStation 5 owners with a difficult operational trade-off. Enthusiasts must choose between updating their system software to firmware 14.00 and beyond to maintain access to newer games and digital patches, or withholding updates to preserve kernel-level access and run homebrew software.
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