A public Linux build now lets some original PlayStation 5 consoles boot into Linux and run Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced with ray tracing. It only works on PS5 Phat hardware on firmware 3.xx through 4.xx, and anything newer than 5.xx is currently not possible.
The mad man, Andy Nguyen, known online as TheFlow, has officially done it. He has now released a stable build to the public that lets anyone turn their PlayStation 5 into a Linux PC, so they can enjoy playing Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced with Ray Tracing enabled, among other things.
The publicly released ps5-linux build is now on GitHub, with installation steps included, and supports PS5 Phat consoles running firmware versions 3.xx through 4.xx.
Just to make it clear before anything else, this doesn't work on just any PS5 console. You should have the original larger model that launched in late 2020, which Sony has slowly started phasing out in favor of the "Slim" model since 2023. You also shouldn't have updated the console past the 4.xx firmware versions, which were in use through most of 2022. At the same time, it also shouldn't have a firmware version older than 3.00 that came out in 2021.
According to Nguyen, supporting older PS5 firmware versions is not a priority at the moment, and anything newer than firmware 5.xx is currently not possible.
The good news? You can technically downgrade the firmware version of your PS5, provided you have the OG "Phat" console. You'll find plenty of resources available on the internet to help you with this.
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Keep in mind that this is a soft mod, so this won't turn your PS5 into a Linux PC permanently, but for as long as it's turned on, you should be able to play the best version of Grand Theft Auto V without having a PC.
Also, while you're technically running GTA V with "most" of the bells and whistles enabled, there are compromises.
For example, the mod only supports 60Hz output, so while you can run GTA V and other Grand Theft Auto titles available on PC at up to 4K resolutions, it won't run faster or slower than 60Hz.
According to Nguyen, he's looking into changing this in the future, possibly adding a feature that lets you relaunch the soft mod without jumping through the proverbial hoops after putting your PS5 into Rest Mode.
There's no tentative date as to when these features arrive, or if they'll ever arrive at all. However, it's only been barely over a month since Nguyen teased the build, so who knows? Maybe, just maybe, he'll find a way to get the mod to work with Grand Theft Auto VI once it's inevitably launched on Linux PCs.
Unfortunately, for most people, outside of the novelty of running your PS5 as a Linux PC and playing GTA on it and perhaps enjoying "slightly" better graphics and the joy of possibly bricking your console for the sake of doing what Sony didn't intend it to do, there's really no clear benefit from trying this mod.
You can already play Grand Theft Auto V Expanded and Enhanced on the PS5 without really much of a problem. If you want better ray tracing, improved image clarity, and smoother frame pacing, you can also just get a PlayStation 5 Pro, which we absolutely recommend as the best platform to enjoy GTA 6 come November 19.
At the moment, Linux as a platform is also having compatibility issues with Grand Theft Auto Online following the release of the BattlEye security update.
But, hey, if you really need a Linux PC and don't have anything other than a now-more-expensive PS5, we suppose this could work.
FAQ
Is this a permanent PS5 conversion or just a temporary mod?
It is a soft mod. The PS5 is not turned into a Linux PC permanently, but it can run that way while the system stays on.
Which PS5 consoles can actually use this build?
The supported target is the original PS5 Phat model running firmware 3.xx through 4.xx. Slim hardware is not listed here, firmware older than 3.00 is not a priority, and newer firmware beyond 5.xx is not currently possible.
What are the biggest drawbacks before trying this on a PS5?
There are compromises and real risk. Output is limited to 60Hz, the setup involves hoops to use the soft mod, and there is a chance of bricking the console.
What can it actually do once Linux is running?
It can run Grand Theft Auto V Enhanced with ray tracing enabled, and other PC Grand Theft Auto titles can run at up to 4K resolution. The current build is publicly available on GitHub with installation steps.
Is this better than just playing GTA V on a normal PS5 or PS5 Pro?
Not for most players. GTA V Expanded and Enhanced already runs on PS5, and a PS5 Pro is the better option if you want stronger ray tracing, better image clarity, and smoother frame pacing.
What should you use instead if your console is unsupported or you just want GTA without the hassle?
Stick with the standard PS5 version of GTA V, or move to a PS5 Pro if you want a more convenient visual upgrade. If your goal is a real Linux machine, this mod is only a stopgap and comes with more tradeoffs than a dedicated PC.
