qCFW on PS3: what it is, supported models and what you need

What is qCFW?

qCFW stands for quasi custom firmware. It is a custom firmware for PS3 models that can't install regular CFW. It is based on Evilnat PEX CFW (currently on 4.93) and gives you almost every CFW feature, with one exception: you can't dump eid_root_key. HDD decryption still works.

qCFW runs with the help of BadWDSD, a modchip built on a Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040). The chip is soldered to the motherboard and makes the console boot qCFW. As long as qCFW is installed, the console needs the chip to start.

qCFW, CFW or HEN?

	CFW	PS3HEN	qCFW (BadWDSD)
Models	Fat, Slim 20xx/21xx and some 25xx	All models on supported firmware	Slim 25xx and 30xx, Super Slim 4xxx
Needs hardware	No (some models need a flash programmer)	No	Yes, a soldered modchip
Features	Full CFW	Limited compared to CFW	Almost full CFW (not eid_root_key)

If your console can run regular CFW, that is still the easier option. qCFW is for the models where it can't.

Which models are supported?

According to the project's documentation (release qcfw-20260915-6):

• All 25xx Slims
• All 30xx Slims
• All 4xxx Super Slims with NOR flash
• All 4xxx Super Slims with eMMC flash (supported since September 2026)

Fat models and 20xx/21xx Slims are not on the list. They can run regular CFW, so they don't need qCFW, and the project doesn't test the modchip on them. Super Slim models ending in A (for example CECH-4004A) have eMMC; models ending in B or C have NOR. eMMC consoles need one extra wire and are less reliable, see the risks below.

What you need

• A Raspberry Pi Pico (RP2040) or RP2040-Zero
• 0.1 mm enamelled (magnet) wire for the CMD and CLK signals
• Thicker wire for power and ground
• A soldering station with a fine tip, and experience soldering small points on motherboards
• A multimeter to check your joints
• A USB stick, and PS3HEN 3.6.0 or later on the console

This is advanced soldering. NOR consoles need four signal wires (CMD, CLK, SC_RX, SC_TX); eMMC consoles need one more (SB_RX). The project shows solder points for the 3000 and 4000 series, but not for the 25xx.

How the install works

This is an overview of what happens. Always follow the official guide for the exact steps, as they change between releases.

1. Back up the flash. Without a backup, a mistake can brick the console permanently.
2. Prepare the USB stick with the files from the latest release.
3. Install Stagex through PS3HEN. This writes a small payload to the console's flash. Only fit the modchip after this step, or the console won't boot.
4. Flash and solder the modchip. The chip's LED shows whether it can talk to the console.
5. Power on and install qCFW through PS3HEN. The install can look frozen for 10–20 minutes.
6. Reboot. The console now boots qCFW.

Risks and limitations

• Mistakes during the backup, the Stagex install or the soldering can brick the console.
• Success depends on your soldering. With good wiring the project expects it to work every time on NOR consoles, but on eMMC it can't be guaranteed, and timing issues may affect PS2 mode.
• If you turn the console on with a wireless controller, it may restart once before the controller connects.
• You can't update qCFW from inside qCFW. You go back to regular firmware and install again.
• The project says nothing about the risk of a PSN ban. Treat going online as at your own risk.

Updating or removing qCFW

To update, reinstall regular firmware and then run the qCFW install again with the new files. To remove qCFW, reinstall regular firmware; after that the modchip can be disabled or removed.

Help and sources

• Ask in Modda's Discord
• The project's GitHub issues and discussions, where the developer answers
• Official documentation, latest release and wiki

Last reviewed 13 October 2026 against release qcfw-20260915-6.