Firmware 13.60 support reaches the loader
ps5-linux-loader v13.60 adds support for PS5 firmware 13.60 on both the standard console and PS5 Pro. The release uses the same ELF payload for both systems, with the Pro model detected automatically at runtime rather than requiring a separate build.
The release notes, dated October 19, 2026, report that the loader booted to an Ubuntu desktop on real hardware. That is a project-reported result, not an independent performance test. The downloadable asset is named ps5-linux-loader.elf and has an MD5 value of ef20ff225db200926776f3a86240dec0.
What the loader does
The loader is the component that starts Linux on a jailbroken PS5. It is sent to the console’s elfldr service over TCP port 9021 after the jailbreak process has completed. The loader itself is not a general-purpose Linux image: it provides the payload needed to begin the project’s Linux boot path.
The related ps5-linux project turns supported PS5 hardware into a Linux desktop system by using patched hypervisor vulnerabilities. Its documented desktop features include HDMI video and audio output, USB peripheral support, Ethernet, Bluetooth hardware support through custom drivers, and the option to use an M.2 SSD as a dedicated Linux installation. The project also documents compatibility with Steam games and emulators, although results depend on the software and configuration used.
A single payload for standard and Pro hardware
Runtime detection is the most useful detail for PS5 Pro owners. Rather than selecting a Pro-specific download, users of the 13.60 fork can use the same ps5-linux-loader.elf for the standard PS5 and PS5 Pro targets covered by this release. This reduces the chance of choosing the wrong payload when moving between supported console models.
The README identifies this as a high-firmware fork that adds firmware 13.60 support, including PS5 Pro, on top of the upstream project. It says Linux reaches a desktop through the same rest-mode and S3-resume mechanism. The fork’s Pro support should be kept separate from the upstream README’s older firmware list, which primarily documents PS5 Phat and Slim support from firmware 3.00 through 7.61.
How the documented boot path fits together
The documented setup uses a Linux image written to a USB drive of at least 64 GB, with an external SSD recommended. A USB keyboard and mouse are required, while networking accessories and Bluetooth hardware are optional depending on the desired setup. The image can boot from supported rear Type-A ports or the front bottom Type-C port; the front top Type-A port is described as slower USB 2.0 hardware.
After the Linux image is prepared, the console must be jailbroken using the method appropriate to its firmware. The README then instructs users to send the loader to the PS5’s IP address on port 9021. The release note summarizes that final transfer as sending the ELF to elfldr on port 9021, following the upstream procedure.
The documented boot process places the console into rest mode after the payload is sent. Users are instructed to wait until the orange LED stops blinking and becomes steady before pressing the power button to start Linux. The README also calls for rest-mode USB power to remain enabled and HDMI Device Link to be disabled, because those settings affect the resume-based boot route.
Firmware guidance matters before updating
The README includes specific advice for owners considering a firmware update. It says users on firmware 11.60 or lower should not update because they would lose fPKG support. For systems already running firmware 12.00 through 13.60, it says updating to 13.60 is acceptable because upcoming fPKG support covers that range.
The project also states that PS5 firmware cannot be downgraded. That makes the update decision significant: installing a newer system version is not presented as a reversible step. The 13.60 loader should therefore be considered alongside the console’s current firmware and the project’s documented jailbreak requirements, rather than treated as a universal update for every PS5.
Linux capabilities and known limitations
Once Linux is running, the project documents 4K video at 60 Hz, audio over HDMI, usable USB ports, Ethernet networking, and support for internal Bluetooth or a Bluetooth dongle for DualSense controllers. An M.2 SSD can be dedicated to Linux, although the README says that doing so prevents its use for PS5 game storage. The internal PS5 SSD is not modified by the Linux installation according to the project’s FAQ.
The README lists several limitations. Screen saving is currently unreliable, HDMI audio does not work with some monitors, and 1440p or 2160p HDMI output may fail on some displays. It also says that standby and resume from an ordinary Linux session are not supported, while the loader’s boot process relies on a rest-mode transition. Users may need to adjust display settings or the Linux kernel command line when a monitor shows a black screen.
Networking support is also hardware-dependent. Ethernet is documented as supported across models, while internal WLAN support is currently limited to Marvell chipsets. A separate USB WLAN adapter can be used for wireless access when needed.
What is new in v13.60
The documented change in this release is firmware coverage: v13.60 adds PS5 firmware 13.60 support for the base model and PS5 Pro, with automatic Pro detection and one shared ELF payload. The release notes do not list additional driver changes, desktop changes, emulator changes, or performance measurements for this version.
The project reports that this build reached an Ubuntu desktop on real hardware. That gives users a clear indication of the intended result, while the README’s existing feature list explains the broader Linux environment available after boot. The release is therefore primarily a compatibility expansion for newer firmware and PS5 Pro hardware rather than a documented redesign of the Linux desktop itself.
