A well-known security researcher has managed to install Linux on a PlayStation 5, turning Sony’s console into something closer to a PC. The project comes from modder Andy Nguyen, better known online as TheFlow0, who shared a short demonstration of the system in action.
In the demo, the modified PS5 was able to run Grand Theft Auto 5 Enhanced with ray tracing at 4K and 60 frames per second, showing what the hardware can do outside the usual console environment.
PS5 Turned Into a Linux System
Nguyen’s project goes far beyond simply booting a Linux desktop. The system is fully functional and allows the console to run programs, play games, and use hardware features like USB ports.
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The modder even jokingly described the setup as a “Steam Machine”, since the console can effectively behave like a small gaming PC running Linux.
GTA 5 Demonstration With Higher Performance
One of the highlights of the demonstration was GTA 5 Enhanced, which was shown running with ray tracing enabled at 4K resolution and 60 FPS.
On a standard PS5, the game typically runs at 30 FPS when using the Fidelity graphics mode, making the Linux setup particularly interesting from a performance standpoint.
PS3 Emulator Also Tested
Nguyen also experimented with emulation on the Linux-powered console. He launched the popular RPCS3 emulator, which allows users to run PlayStation 3 games.
In one example, the emulator was used to start the PS3 version of GTA San Andreas, though no detailed performance results were shared.
Hack Requires Complex Exploit
Installing Linux on a PlayStation 5 is far from simple. Nguyen explained that the project required a full chain exploit, meaning several security vulnerabilities had to be combined to allow unsigned code to run on the console.
Because of this requirement, the method only works on older firmware versions of the PS5.
PS5 Pro Currently Not Supported
The experiment was performed on a PS5 Slim, and Nguyen noted that newer systems like the PS5 Pro cannot currently be modified in the same way due to stronger security protections.
I ported Linux to the PS5 and turned it into a Steam Machine. Running GTA 5 Enhanced with Ray Tracing. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aMbT0PQ1dS
— Andy Nguyen (@theflow0) March 6, 2026
He also mentioned that the console experienced overheating during testing, which might have been reduced if the system had been positioned vertically.
A Glimpse at the PS5’s Potential
While the project is unlikely to lead to widespread Linux installations on PS5 consoles, it does highlight the underlying power of the hardware. Since the PlayStation 5 is based on AMD PC-like architecture, experiments like this reveal how the console could theoretically function outside its locked ecosystem.
For now, however, the technical barriers mean that this remains more of a proof-of-concept than a practical modification.
Source: https://www.playstationinfo.de/2026/03/08/modder-installiert-linux-auf-ps5-und-startet-gta-5-mit-4k-und-60-fps/
