Latest PS3 System Update: Version 4.86 (Sept 2017) – End of the Line for Firmware

Sony ended official PS3 system software updates in April 2017. The final version is 4.86, released September 20, 2017.

What 4.86 Did

• Minor stability improvements.
• No new features, no security patches for new vulnerabilities.

What This Means

• No more system updates — ever. The PS3 is fully deprecated.
• Game patches may still download when launching a title (stored on disc or pushed by developer), but these are game-specific, not system firmware.
• PlayStation Store on PS3 remains accessible for re-downloading owned content (as of 2024), but new purchases were disabled July 2021 (reversed for PS3/Vita after backlash—still works but flaky).
• PSN Sign-In works. Online multiplayer for games with active servers (e.g., Demon's Souls, MGO2 via fan servers, GT6) functions.

If You're on 4.85 or Lower

Update via Settings ▸ System Update ▸ Update via Internet (or USB with PS3UPDAT.PUP). Required for PSN access and some game patches.

Homebrew Note

4.86 is the last official firmware exploitable for HEN (Homebrew Enabler) and CFW (Custom Firmware) on compatible models (CECHA–CECHK, some CECHL). If you plan to mod, do not update past 4.86 (impossible anyway).