Is it worth it? Going from 1302 to 900 is hell. It requires soldering, Linux knowledge, and the patience of a Tibetan monk. You will likely brick your console. You will definitely lose your save data.
But for that one moment—when you see the old dashboard, the one you control, not the one Sony updates to sell you NBA 2K microtransactions—it feels like winning a war against the entire corporate update machine.
Final score:
PS4: 0
Me: 1 (but also, my warranty: -∞)
TL;DR: If you see Error 1302, just buy a new motherboard. Or, if you’re a glutton for punishment, buy a Teensy board and learn what "Syscon glitching" means. I’ll be over here playing Bloodborne with 60 FPS patches. Don't tell Sony.
Have you survived the 1302 downgrade? Did you just throw your PS4 out the window? Let me know in the comments—or don't, I’m probably banned from PSN anyway.
Downgrading a PS4 from firmware 13.02 to 9.00 is not possible through software alone. While software updates are designed to only move forward, a "revert" is technically possible but requires advanced hardware modification. Key Realities of PS4 Downgrading No Software-Only Method
: Any website or video claiming you can downgrade by simply plugging in a USB drive or visiting a specific URL on the PS4 browser is likely a or "fake". The "Revert" Hardware Method
: The PS4 stores two copies of firmware in its chips (the active and previous versions). A technician can use specialized hardware and to flip the system back to the previous firmware slot. Limitation ps4 downgrade 1302 to 900
: You can only revert to the version you were on immediately before your current one. If you updated directly from 9.00 to 13.02, a revert could work. If you updated from 12.50 to 13.02, you would only be able to revert to 12.50. Alternatives and Status Firmware 9.00
: This is highly sought after because it has a stable, well-documented jailbreak. Current Jailbreak Ceiling
: Public software-based exploits currently support firmware up to
. For versions 11.02 and above (including 13.02), there is no public jailbreak available as of early 2026. Recommendation
: Experts generally suggest selling a console on high firmware and buying a used PS4 that is already on version 9.00 or below. Ps4 Low Firmware - eBay
This review analyzes the feasibility, technical requirements, and risks of downgrading a Go to product viewer dialog for this item. from firmware 13.02 to 9.00, as of early 2026. 📝 Executive Summary: PS4 13.02 to 9.00 Revert
Feasibility: Technically possible, but highly difficult and not a standard software downgrade. Is it worth it
Method: Requires physical hardware modification (micro-soldering) to the SYSCON chip and a NOR programmer.
Verdict: Not recommended for beginners. Only suitable for experienced electronics modders with proper equipment. 🔧 What is the 13.02 to 9.00 Downgrade?
The method involves utilizing a "Firmware Revert" technique. The PS4 keeps the current and previous firmware information saved on the motherboard (in the Syscon chip).
If you updated to 13.02, this method allows you to swap the current active slot with the previous one. However, you can generally only revert to the version immediately preceding your current update (e.g., from 13.02 to 12.52 or 13.00), not straight back to 9.00 unless the console was already modified or kept in a "paired" state. ⚠️ Pros and Cons Pros Cons Potential to jailbreak if the previous firmware is ≤11.00is less than or equal to 11.00 Requires severe soldering skills (lifting pins) Bypasses accidental updates Risk of bricking the console permanently Allows use of custom firmwares/Linux Requires hardware tools (e.g., Pinecil, magnifiers) 🛠️ The Process (High-Level) Firmware Revert - ConsoleMods Wiki
You are not trying to downgrade; you are trying to recover. Do this:
This will wipe your console and install 13.02 cleanly. You lose all data, but the console lives.
This involves physically modifying the console's motherboard to force it to accept an older firmware file. This is not a software hack; it requires soldering skills. Have you survived the 1302 downgrade
Risk Level: Extreme. One wrong move can permanently brick your console. This is generally reserved for advanced repair technicians.
Here is what it actually takes to force a PS4 from 13.02 down to the holy grail of 9.00 (the last truly jailbreakable firmware):
The process is disgusting: You dump the current NOR chip. You manually hex-edit the firmware version flag from "0x0D02" (13.02) to "0x0900" (9.00). You pray. You reflash the NOR while shorting two specific pins on the motherboard with a pair of tweezers.
If you sneeze during this step, you own a $40 white paperweight.
WARNING: Proceed at your own risk. This process can turn your PS4 into a $200 paperweight. Do not attempt this if you are not comfortable with micro-soldering.
In the world of PlayStation 4 modding and jailbreaking, few phrases spark as much confusion and desperate searching as: "PS4 downgrade 1302 to 900."
If you have landed on this page, you are likely staring at a console that will not boot, a system that suddenly demands an update, or a jailbreak attempt that has gone horribly wrong. You have heard whispers on Reddit or GBAtemp that by downgrading from a specific error state (error 1302) to an older firmware (error 900), you might save your console.
Here is the hard truth you need to read before you waste any more time: You cannot downgrade a retail PS4 firmware from version 13.02 (or any version) to 9.00. What you are looking for is technically impossible on a standard, unmodified console. However, understanding why people search for this, and what errors 1302 and 900 actually mean, can save your console from becoming a paperweight.
This article will explain the firmware landscape of the PS4, dissect error codes SU-42130-2 and SU-42118-9 (often shortened to 1302 and 900), and explore the only fringe scenarios where "downgrading" is possible—primarily involving hardware mods like a Teensy or an ESP32.