How do I know what Sony PSP firmware version I have?

I was reading the questions asked about the Sony PSP and i saw a lot of questions about firmware or something and that it has different kinds of number like 1.50 and 2 or greater ! Now my questions are what is firmware and what does it do and how do i know wich one is my sony psp?

Dave's Answer:

This is a common question, actually, and you're spot on when you call it "firmware". The firmware on the Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) is basically the same thing as the operating system on your computer. If you're running a PC, for example, you might have Windows 98 or Windows XP, but even with a given operating system, you might have Windows XP or Windows XP SP2 (SP = System Patch). Macs are the same way, with MacOS 9 for old timers versus Mac OS X, but Mac OS X is broken down into lots of different versions, 10.2.x, 10.3.x and the latest as of this writing, 10.4.6.

The firmware on the Sony PSP is what you're using when you move from looking at pictures to listening to your favorite MP3 song, watching a movie or playing a game. The game specifics itself are controlled by the given game's software, of course, but that's exactly like playing Halo 2 on your Windows box: Windows controls the basic functionality of the computer, but Halo 2 is actually what's putting all those slick game graphics on the screen, pushing out the audio, and so on.

The Sony PSP has gone through quite a number of different firmware versions since its initial release, actually, with the original units running 1.1, then Sony releasing 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and now, 2.6 as the latest firmware release. But how do you know what version you're running?

To figure out what version of Sony PSP firmware you have on your PSP, push the little "home" button so you can get to the top level navigation where you can move between functional areas, then use the left arrow to move all the way to Settings, then use the up and down arrows as appropriate to find System Settings:

Push the "X" button to select System Settings and you'll get to System Information:

Finally, push the "X" button one more time and you'll find out what version of the firmware you have on your PSP:

As you can see, I'm running Version 2.60.

The MAC Address on this display, by the way, is the unique identifier that the PSP uses when communicating with Internet devices, it's basically the address of the network interface device.

That should help you ascertain what version of the firmware you have.

Here are some useful articles if you want to either upgrade or downgrade:

• Upgrade your PSP firmware via a wireless connection
• Download the PSP firmware upgrade and copy it to the PSP
• Should I downgrade my PSP firmware?

Hope those all help you out!

More Useful iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help Articles:

✔ Deleted iTunes library but still have tracks on iPod...

Hi Dave, I have been following your newsletter for awhile now. Most of your topics are way over my head but very interesting....

✔ How do I fix the time / date on my Apple iPod Touch?

I pulled my iTouch [ed note: "iPod Touch", actually] out of the drawer and when it was fully charged I realized that the...

✔ Can I remove songs from an unsync'd iPod Touch?

My son has just come home from his uncle's house with a new iPod. Very nice. Full of a wide variety of music,...

✔ Get started with iTunes Match!

I have a huge library of music, Dave, and want to be able to enjoy it on all my Apple devices, but am...

✔ Can I pre-order a music CD from the Apple iTunes Store?

I have a bunch of bands and musicians I follow faithfully and when I see that there's a new CD coming out from...

Let's stay in touch!

Sign up for my weekly AskDaveTaylor Newsletter and you'll receive even more tech and gadget help right to your inbox, along with exclusive news and industry updates. It's good stuff. I promise!

Categorized: iPod, Sony PSP and MP3 Player Help (Article 6462, Written by Dave Taylor)
Tagged: psp, psp firmware, sony psp
Previous: Do tech companies offer perks to shareholders?
Next: Does jewelry sold on eBay need an appraisal?

Reader Comments To Date: 16

dawayne said, on February 11, 2007 1:46 PM:

do you know the sony psp number?

joshua said, on March 18, 2007 4:02 PM:

Ok This might be a tough one but I dont know an easy setup at the moment. I am starting up a media service in my local area chattanooga TN called noogabox.com and also considering service noogabox mobile. I know many other complanies do this but I dont know where to get software or what not to be able to transfer files ( .avi .mp3 .mp4) to mobile phones over the network. There are tones of services out there sending jokes, news clippits ect. I am trying to figure out how I can get files to ftp over to a phone using there phone number. Just like when you go to a site and download a ringtone, or other mp4. Any links or sites would be greatly appretiated. Currently all transfers must be done manually but we are coming out with our own phone (sim card enabled) from uxcell. The idea is to be able to download the media from the users online storage locker directly to his noogabox mobile device. (cell phone mp4 player) Thanks alot joshua

tp said, on December 30, 2007 1:50 AM:

i want to downgrade to 1.5 and i have 3.52...how can i do this???

JAMES said, on April 13, 2008 3:41 AM:

I BOUGHT A PSP MOVIE CONVERTER BUT EVERY TIME I TRANSFER IT TO THE PSP IT KEEPS SAYING UNSUPPORTED FILE I HAVE SYSTEM VERSION 3.52. OR DO I NEED TO CREATE A FILE ON MY MEMORY CARD.

pambhira said, on November 13, 2008 10:24 PM:

uhm..mister can i ask something?cause im just a newbie in using a psp....i saw in my system software that it is 3.90m33-3?how is that happen cause the one that is shown in screenshot were version 2.60?its confusing you know?

Peter said, on November 20, 2008 10:04 PM:

It is not very safe to show your Mac Address on the internet as some hackers may put bad stuff in your PSP.

edd said, on March 12, 2009 7:56 AM:

how can i downgrade as ive got a psp 1003 and 5.03 software on it as i want to use iso ect

Chris said, on April 16, 2009 4:17 AM:

Hello People...I'm having a problem with my psp memory card. I've been playing cso games for a while, but i decided to format the 4Gig memory stick...Now i've stupidly lost all the folders, and my psp doesn't see the cso files anymore :((. I need help on how to get the right folder to put in the cso games files my email is blazing9t@gmail.com 10ks...

iver said, on May 5, 2009 11:46 PM:

Hi,sir!Im confused about the series of PSP2000.Becuase other says,there are series of PSP2000 that is like a PSP3000(i dont like 3000version coz practically speaking Id rather use memory stick to play my my games instead of buying expensive UMD).My question is,what version or series of sony psp2000 slim(3.0,4.0,5.0)should i buy in order for me to play games using a memory stick instead of buying expensive UMD?There is also a USA version,asian version and Japan.What makes it different if i buy one of those?

julius said, on June 6, 2009 2:36 PM:

my system firmware is 3.52 M33-4 whats that?

Dark Knight said, on July 18, 2009 4:43 PM:

The firmware that says 3.52 M33 and stuffs, are custom firmwares. Firmwares made by people. Not from sony. You can still play normal games. They help you play games from your Memory Stick.

norris said, on September 4, 2009 9:12 AM:

Hello,
I currently have TA-088v3 – equipped PSP-2000(I guess!). Urmm, i was curious and decided to update my firmware to gen 5.50 A. Sadly, i can’t play the cso/iso games which i could play before. Should i download the chickhen R2? I’m just afraid my psp is bricked now. I will appreciate any advice to this matter. Thank you.

milo said, on September 27, 2010 7:51 PM:

what can i do to access to the internet using my PSP. i already on the WIFI but there's an erro . ( error cant access IP etc.

Akshay said, on October 6, 2010 10:11 PM:

Thanks the way you explained its just help me to find my system information's

Very useful post

hamza khan said, on November 8, 2010 10:51 PM:

my psp is sony psp 3001 version not software place help me.thank you

ashton said, on December 23, 2012 3:12 PM:

how to go no intrenet

I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

How do I know what Sony PSP firmware version I have?

Reader Comments To Date: 16

I do have a comment, now that you mention it!

Check This Out Too...