H-Encore Vita

H-encore
General
Author	TheFloW
Type	Exploits
Version	2.0
License	MIT License
Last Updated	2019/02/19
Links
Website
Source

h-encore, where h stands for hacks and homebrews, is the second public jailbreak for the PS Vita™ which supports the newest firmwares 3.65, 3.67 and 3.68. It allows you to make kernel- and user-modifications, change the clock speed, install plugins, run homebrews and much more.

A technical explanation of the h-encore exploit chain is available here.

Installation

Requirements:

• Your device must be on firmware 3.65, 3.67 or 3.68. Firmware 3.69 and higher are not supported. If you're on a lower firmware, please decide carefully to what firmware you want to update, then search for a trustable guide on /r/vitahacks.
• If your device is a phat OLED model, you need a Memory Card in order to install. There's no need for a Memory Card on Slim/PS TV models, since they already provide an Internal Storage. Make sure you have got at least 270 MB of free space.
• Your device must be linked to any PSN account (it doesn't need to be activated though). If it is not, then you must restore default settings in order to sign in.

See here for installation guide.

User guide

FAQ

Exploit

"When I launch h-encore, it stays at a white screen." - Due to the nature of the kernel exploit, this can sometimes happen. If it stays white for more than 5 seconds, you can simply close the application which will result in a crash and your device will be rebooted or shutdown after 10 seconds. If it doesn't, hold the power button down for over 30 seconds to force a shutdown. Then try the exploit again. The success rate of the kernel exploit should be at 80%. If I find time I will eventually try to improve the success rate.

"When I launch h-encore, it flashes white quickly and then crashes." - Again, this is due to how the kernel exploit works.

"I get a C2-12828-1 error when launching h-encore" - This does sometimes (but very rarely) happen. Just retry the exploit.

"When I launch h-encore, it launches the bitter smile demo instead." - Your savedata is either corrupted or not installed correctly, please follow the installation guide above to reinstall it.

"I have installed a bad plugin and launching h-encore doesn't work anymore, what should I do?" - You can either reset taiHEN config.txt or skip plugins loading by holding the L trigger while exiting the h-encore bootstrap menu.

HENkaku Settings

"I don't see all folders in VitaShell." - Launch the Settings application and select HENkaku Settings, then select Enable unsafe homebrews. This will grant you full permission in VitaShell.

"I can't find the HENkaku Settings." - Launch the exploit and reset taiHEN config.txt and reinstall HENkaku.

enso/permanent hack

"Can I install enso on 3.67 or 3.68?" - Not on these firmwares, but you can downgrade to firmware 3.65 using modoru and then install enso.

"Can I install enso on 3.65?" - Yes, you can use h-encore to hack your device and then install the permanent hack using this.

Compatibility

"Are Adrenaline/NoNpDrm/Download Enabler supported on 3.65/3.67/3.68?" - Yes, check them in my repositories.

"Can I use SD2VITA using this hack?" - Yes, I have made a pull request on gamecard-microsd that fixed the freeze when using it without enso. If you're using an other plugin and it freezes on exitting h-encore bootstrap menu, then there's the trick where you can simply press the PS Button and return back to finish the boot process.

"Can I use psvsd using this hack?" - Yes, people confirmed that it is working finely.

"Does this work, does that work? Is this compatible, is that compatible?" - I don't know, and it is not my task to update these tools for you, so don't dare and file an issue here.

General

"Can I switch the PSN account after having h-encore installed?" - Yes, since the demo is DRM-free it does not depend on your account.

"Are there any risks involved in using h-encore?" - No, since it does not modify the OS, but only insert temporary patches into the system.

"Can I install it without USB connection?" - You can also connect your PS Vita with your computer using Wi-Fi (there's an option in the Content Manager).

"How do I get into bootstrap menu?" - launch h-encore while holding the R trigger.

Changelog

2.0

• Added ability to auto-exit and bypass the bootstrap menu. You can force launching the bootstrap menu by holding R while launching h-encore).
• Added ability to personalize the savedata in order to get rid of the trophy warning.
• Added confirmation dialog for Reset taiHEN config.txt option.
• Updated default spoof version to 3.70.
• Updated kernel ROP chain to use fewer and better gadgets.

Credits

• Thanks to Freakler for finding the crash in the demo and designing the h-encore icon.
• Thanks to molecule for their initial work on the PS Vita.
• Thanks to xyz for giving me some tips on choosing an exploit target.
• Thanks to Davee and Proxima for http://cma.henkaku.xyz/.
• Thanks to yifanlu for psvimgtools.
• Thanks to codestation for qcma.
• Thanks to mmozeiko for pkg2vita.
• Thanks to the PS Vita hacking community.
• Thanks to Sony for this awesome device.

External links

• GitHub - https://github.com/TheOfficialFloW/h-encore