Download & Connect

Get started with PlayStation Home through Home Laboratory

Getting Started

Follow these instructions to connect to the official Home Laboratory servers and experience PlayStation Home again.

Note: Home Laboratory is a preservation project that allows you to experience PlayStation Home again on either a real PS3 console or through the RPCS3 emulator on PC.

QA vs Retail Version

QA (Quality Assurance)
  • Developer build with advanced features
  • TTY log outputs showing real-time events
  • Developer commands and debugging tools
  • No DNS changes required
  • Recommended for most users
Retail
  • Similar to original release experience
  • Fewer customization options
  • Requires custom DNS: 104.37.190.154
  • More stable in some scenarios

Security Note: Like many PlayStation multiplayer games, player IPs may be visible to technically savvy users (in both QA and retail versions). We've patched out controversial features like IGA kick, freeze, mute, and rexec log off for a safer experience.

All Downloads

Recommended
QA Version

Developer build with enhanced features and no DNS requirements

PS3 v1.86 QA
RPCS3 v1.86 QA
DNS Required
Retail Version

Standard build requiring custom DNS: 104.37.190.154

PS3 v1.86 Retail
RPCS3 v1.86 Retail
Utilities
RPCS3 Tools

Pre-configured emulator and optimized settings for PlayStation Home

Pre-configured RPCS3 Complete Package
Config File QA v1.86 Optimized

Contents

PS3 Installation Guide

About PS3 Custom Firmware

To run PlayStation Home, you'll need a PS3 with custom firmware or HEN (Homebrew ENabler). There are two main options:

HEN (Recommended)

Works on: All PS3 models including Super Slim

Risk Level: Low

Installation: Easier, temporary

Notes: Needs to be activated each time you boot your PS3

CFW (Advanced)

Works on: Fat and some Slim models only

Risk Level: Higher

Installation: More complex, permanent

Notes: Not all PS3s are compatible

More Information

For detailed tutorials and compatibility checks, visit PSX-Place.

HEN Setup Guide (Recommended)

  1. Visit PSX-Place for the latest HFW (Hybrid Firmware) installer
  2. Download and install HFW 4.92 to your PS3
  3. After installing HFW, visit ps3xploit.me using the PS3 browser
  4. Select "HEN Installer" and follow the on-screen instructions
  5. Once installed, press the PS button on your controller to return to the XMB
  6. You'll see a notification that HEN has been installed
  7. To activate HEN, press the PS button on your controller
  8. You should now see a PlayStation Home icon in the PlayStation Network category

With 4.92 HFW/HEN installed, PlayStation Home should appear automatically in the PlayStation Network category on your XMB.

CFW Setup Guide (Advanced Users)

Warning

Installing CFW carries a small risk of bricking your console. Only proceed if you're comfortable with advanced modifications. Not all PS3 models are compatible with CFW.

For compatible PS3 models, we recommend the Evilnat 4.92 CFW:

  1. Check if your PS3 is compatible with CFW using the compatibility guide
  2. If compatible, download Evilnat 4.92 CFW from PSX-Place
  3. Follow the detailed installation tutorial on the download page

After installing CFW, PlayStation Home should appear in the PlayStation Network category on your XMB.

PS3 QA Installation

Option 1: Direct Download (Recommended)

With 4.92 HFW/CFW installed, PlayStation Home should appear in the PlayStation Network category:

  1. Navigate to PlayStation Network on your XMB
  2. Look for the PlayStation Home icon
  3. Select it and press X to download
  4. Wait for the download and installation to complete
Option 2: Manual Installation
  1. Download the QA PlayStation Home PKG file to a USB drive
  2. Connect the USB drive to your PS3
  3. Navigate to the Package Manager on your XMB
  4. Select "Install Package Files" > "Standard"
  5. Locate and select the PlayStation Home PKG file
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to install

The QA version does not require any DNS changes or network modifications.

PS3 Retail Installation

DNS Configuration Required

The retail version requires you to set your PS3's custom DNS to: 104.37.190.154

DNS Configuration Steps
  1. Go to Settings > Network Settings on your XMB
  2. Select "Internet Connection Settings"
  3. Select "Custom" setup
  4. Configure your connection as normal until you reach the DNS settings
  5. Select "Manual" for DNS settings
  6. Enter 104.37.190.154 as both Primary and Secondary DNS
  7. Complete the remaining steps as normal
  8. Test your internet connection to ensure it works

Once DNS is configured, follow the same installation steps as the QA version but use the Retail PlayStation Home PKG file instead.

RPCS3 Emulator Guide

About RPCS3

RPCS3 is an open-source PlayStation 3 emulator for PC that allows you to play PlayStation Home without a PS3 console.

System Requirements
  • OS: Windows 10/11, Linux, or macOS
  • CPU: Intel Core i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 or better
  • RAM: 8GB minimum (16GB recommended)
  • GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD RX 570 or better
  • Storage: 25GB+ free space

For complete system requirements and compatibility information, visit the official RPCS3 website.

Version History

We use RPCS3 v0.0.29 in our pre-configured package. This version has been thoroughly tested and offers the best compatibility with PlayStation Home.

RPCS3 QA Setup

Option 1: Pre-configured Package (Recommended)
  1. Download our pre-configured RPCS3
  2. Extract the zip file to a location on your computer
  3. Run the RPCS3 executable file
  4. Go to Configuration > RPCN in the title bar
  5. In the RPCN window, go to Account tab
  6. Click on Create Account
  7. Follow the on-screen setup to complete your account creation
  8. After creating your account, click on Test Account in the account window
  9. If the test succeeds, you can continue and launch PlayStation Home. If it fails, please join our Discord server for support
  10. Launch PlayStation Home from the game list

Our package includes RPCS3, the necessary firmware, PlayStation Home QA version, and optimal settings for the best experience.

Option 2: Manual RPCS3 Setup
  1. Download the QA PlayStation Home PKG file
  2. In RPCS3, go to File → Install Packages/Raps/Edats
  3. Select the PlayStation Home PKG file you downloaded
  4. Download the custom config file: config_PSHLQA186.yml
  5. Place the downloaded config file in config/custom_configs folder in your RPCS3 root directory
  6. If the custom_configs folder doesn't exist, create it first

RPCS3 Retail Setup

Warning

The retail version requires additional configuration. We recommend using the QA version for a smoother experience.

  1. Download the Retail PlayStation Home PKG file
  2. In RPCS3, go to File → Install Packages/Raps/Edats
  3. Select the PlayStation Home PKG file you downloaded
  4. Configure RPCS3 network settings to use the custom DNS: 104.37.190.154
  5. Apply the same custom config file as with the QA version

Troubleshooting

  1. Make sure you have installed HFW 4.92 and the latest HEN or Evilnat 4.92 CFW
  2. Activate HEN by pressing the PS3 logo in the XMB (for HEN users)
  3. Restart your PS3 and check the PlayStation Network category again
  4. If it still doesn't appear, try refreshing the XMB by pressing L1+L2+R1+R2+Δ+O simultaneously

  1. Verify your internet connection by testing it in the PS3 network settings
  2. Check if Home Laboratory servers are online by visiting the player count page
  3. Try restarting your router
  4. Make sure your PS3's date and time are set correctly

  1. Make sure you're using the latest version of RPCS3
  2. Verify you've installed the correct firmware version
  3. Check that your PC meets the minimum system requirements
  4. Try installing our custom config file for optimal settings
  5. Check the RPCS3 log file for specific errors

For persistent issues, join our Discord for personalized support.

QA vs Retail: Detailed Comparison

Feature QA Version Retail Version
DNS Configuration Not required Custom DNS required (104.37.190.154)
Developer Tools Full access to developer commands Limited access
TTY Logging Detailed real-time logs Not available
Ease of Setup Simple installation Requires additional network configuration
Compatibility Works with all environments May have issues with some setups
Debugging Features Extensive debugging tools Limited debugging
Game Experience Core functionality plus extras Core functionality
Stability Highly stable Highly stable
Recommended For Most users, developers, curious players Purists who want the original experience
Our Recommendation

For most users, we recommend the QA version due to its easier setup process and additional features. The retail version is primarily for those who specifically want to experience PlayStation Home as it was originally released.

Community Support

Join our active community for help, updates, and to connect with other PlayStation Home users.

Join Discord Check FAQ