How to Install Mods on Your PS4

So you want to spice up your gaming experience with some mods? Awesome! However, there‘s a catch – installing mods on a PlayStation 4 requires jailbreaking your console first.

I‘ll be upfront – jailbreaking opens up lots of possibilities but carries big risks too. In this guide, I‘ll walk you through everything you need to know to make an informed decision.

An Introduction to Jailbreaking Your PS4

Jailbreaking gives you administrative rights to install unofficial software like game mods or custom firmware. However, it also sets you up for:

• Permanent banning from PlayStation Network (losing access to online play, purchases, save files1)
• Bricking your console if you install updates after jailbreaking
• Punishments from developers like account bans, suspensions, or resets

Sony maintains a strict no tolerance policy against running unauthorized software. You violate their Terms of Service by jailbreaking.

Over the past 5 years, an estimated 15-20% of jailbroken PS4 consoles faced account bans or bricking from firmware updates.2

Only PS4s on firmware 6.72 or lower can currently be jailbroken. You can check your firmware version under Settings > System. If you intend to jailbreak, I strongly advise staying on 6.72 and disconnecting from the internet to avoid any prompted system updates.

Alright, now that I‘ve warned you about the ominous risks, let‘s talk about what jailbreaking actually lets you do!

Benefits of Jailbreaking Your PS4

While I don‘t recommend it lightly, jailbreaking opens up options Sony never intended the PS4 to have. You gain the ability to:

• Install game mods – extra content like new gear, quests, graphics overhauls etc.
• Run homebrew software – indie games, emulators for old systems, media players etc.
• Perform advanced customizations – overclocking, personalized dashboards, dynamic themes etc.

In short, you escape the walled garden and can tap into the full potential of your console.

Different Methods to Jailbreak a PS4

There are a few ways to jailbreak, each with their own pros, cons, and risks.3

I‘ll expand on the software exploit method as it‘s beginner friendly:

The approach involves visiting a PS4 jailbreak website on the console‘s browser. The site contains an exploit that when launched, bypasses Sony security restrictions and grants root access. You can then install a custom firmware package that persists across reboots.

As you can imagine, entering your credentials on shady sites carries privacy risks. Plus mistakenly updating the firmware later could fully brick your system.

So I suggest doing this ONLY if you plan to stay offline and stick to firmware 6.72 indefinitely. The slightest lapse in vigilance can jeopardize your console or account.

Installing PS4 Game Mods

Once successfully jailbroken, it‘s time for the fun stuff – mods!

You have two options – games with built-in mod support via Bethesda, or unofficial mods from external sites.

Bethesda Mods

Certain titles like Fallout 4 and Skyrim Special Edition feature official mod frameworks from publisher Bethesda.

The process looks like:

1. Visit bethesda.net to create an account
2. On your PS4, open the Mods menu and log in
3. Browse and add mods from the catalog to your library
4. Enable/disable mods from the Load Order menu

It‘s an easy way to find reliable, high quality content approved by developers.

Over 700 mods are available between Fallout and Skyrim, offering thousands of hours of fresh adventures!

Unofficial Mods

For games without built-in support, you‘ll have to source mods from sites like NexusMods – a hub for PC mods. The catch is that only a small subset of Nexus mods are PS4 compatible.

You‘ll need to:

1. Check sites like Nexus for PS4 supported content
2. Download mods to a USB drive or external hard drive
3. Using a file manager, transfer the mod packages to your PS4 internal storage or external HDD
4. Follow specialized instructions to install the mod

The process varies by game. Popular titles have detailed tutorials, like this one for installing Grand Theft Auto 5 mods on PS4.

Exercise caution with external sites as they might carry malware risks. Virus scan downloads if possible and don‘t install mods affecting online gameplay – that‘s just asking for a ban from Sony‘s enforcement team!

Closing Thoughts

I‘ve now covered everything from safely jailbreaking your PS4 to sourcing mods all the way through installation. To summarize:

• Jailbreaking opens up customization options but puts accounts and consoles at risk
• Stick to firmware version 6.72 or lower for mod capability
• Built-in Bethesda mods provide a streamlined experience
• External mods expand your possibilities but require more effort

While modding allows experiencing games in new ways, please keep the warnings around bans and bricking in mind. Personally for online games, I don‘t think the juice is worth the squeeze.

But I‘m curious to hear your take – is PS4 modding something you feel is worth trying out? Let me know in the comments below!

1. Study Finds 20% of Jailbroken PS4 Users Banned by Sony
2. Are the Risks Around Jailbreaking Worth it?
3. PS4 Jailbreak Methods Compared