A hacked PS5 Slim has been shown running Linux and booting GTA V Enhanced through Steam at 60 FPS with ray tracing, turning Sony's console into something much closer to a compact gaming PC. The catch is severe: the exploit only works on PS5 systems still running firmware 1.0 to 2.0, so remains more of a proof of concept than anything else.
Of all the games you could use to prove that a hacked PS5 running Linux actually works, Andy Nguyen chose Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced Edition.
The security researcher, known online as theflow0, shared the results on X on March 6, 2026, showing a PS5 Slim booted into Linux and running GTA V Enhanced through Steam as if the console were just another desktop computer. The system outputs 4K video over HDMI, handles audio correctly, and all USB ports work as expected. It behaves, in every meaningful sense, like a compact gaming PC built on the same AMD architecture that powers millions of actual PCs.
The fact that Grand Theft Auto V was the game Nguyen chose for the demonstration somehow makes sense. GTA V is the second-best-selling video game of all time, originally released on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, and since ported across three console generations now, which, because of him, now technically includes a PS5 masquerading as a PC.
If there is a platform GTA V has not yet touched, someone will find a way to put it there. Nguyen even joked when asked about a public release timeline, saying it would arrive "before GTA 6," which, given Rockstar Games' communication record, could mean just about anything.
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Nguyen used an exploit called "Byepervisor" to bypass Sony's hypervisor, the security layer that prevents unauthorized code from running on the console. With that barrier removed, he gained kernel-level control over the system, allowing unsigned code to execute freely. From there, he worked with the open-source Mesa project to add proper graphics driver support for the PS5's custom AMD RDNA 2 GPU, which is what enables hardware-accelerated rendering and, crucially, ray tracing under Linux.
Under the hood, the PS5 is essentially a locked-down PC. It runs on x86 architecture, uses AMD silicon that is closely related to components sold for desktop computers, and, without Sony's security measures in place, can function like any other AMD-based system.
Fun fact: Sony actually allowed Linux installation on the PlayStation 3 through a feature called "OtherOS" before controversially removing it in a firmware update.
There is a significant limitation that prevents this from becoming a mainstream alternative. The Byepervisor exploit only works on PS5 consoles running firmware versions 1.0-2.0, which were released roughly five years ago. Any console that has been updated for online play, to access newer games, or even just through the automatic update process that Sony enables by default, is locked out entirely. The only people who can replicate Nguyen's work are those who deliberately kept their console on launch-era firmware or can source first-generation hardware that was never connected to the internet.
Not to mention, Linux is known to have compatibility issues with Grand Theft Auto Online, so while you can play through the entirety of the HD Universe's Los Santos again, you won't be able to enjoy the most recent content updates.
With that said, a PS5 at its retail price offers better raw performance per dollar than most comparable PC configurations, given the current situation. If the Linux modification were more widely accessible, it could offer genuine value by allowing users to run PlayStation exclusives on the stock OS and the entire Steam library on Linux.
Ultimately, though, the modified PS5 is more of a unique proof of concept than a widely available gaming console.
More Questions Answered
Who can actually replicate this PS5 Linux setup right now?
Only people with a PS5 still on firmware 1.0 to 2.0 can realistically do it. That means launch era systems kept off updates, or first generation hardware that was never connected to the internet.
What is the biggest limitation beyond the firmware lock?
Linux compatibility remains a problem for GTA Online. Single player GTA V is the clear showcase here, but the latest GTA Online content is not the selling point for this setup.
How does this compare with buying a normal gaming PC for Steam?
The appeal is value and raw performance from PS5 hardware at retail price, especially since comparable PC hardware is expensive right now. But a standard PC is still the practical option because this modified PS5 setup is not widely accessible.
