I. Quick start [Users]

Quick start

This guide gives you the basics for installing the emulator in the best possible conditions, including all the pre-requisites for launching a game.

Warning

The emulator is still experimental, so many errors and impossibility to play are possible.

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1. Requirements

1.1 Minimum System Requirements

Ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Processor: ≥ 4 cores/6 threads, >2.5Ghz, Support AVX2 extension or Rosetta 2 on ARM
• RAM: At least 8GB (16GB recommended).
• Graphics: Vulkan1.3-compatible graphics card.
• OS: Windows 10/11, Linux, or macOS 14 (64-bit).

1.2 Required Drivers

Before proceeding, update your drivers:

1. Find out which brand of graphics card you use.
2. Download the appropriate one for your operating system:
   • Nvidia: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/drivers
   • AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support/download/drivers.html
   • Intel: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download-center/home.html
3. You should also check that your iGPU is up to date using the links above.
4. For Windows user: Don't trust Windows update especially for iGPU.

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2. Installation

2.1 Download shadPS4

Tip

For a quick start, we will use the QT version. QT means that the emulator comes with a GUI that makes it easy to use and configure.
The other way is SDL but we will not use it for now.

1. Follow this link: https://github.com/shadps4-emu/shadPS4/releases
2. You can decide between two release version:

• Pre-release-xxx (Also known as "Nightly", this is the last release)
• Release (Latest major release, eg 0.5.0)

3. Click on ⏵ Asserts, you're going to see a lot of differents versions you need to locate the one containing your OS (win64, linux, macos) and the word QT.
   For example, if you want the latest version for Windows, click on shadps4-win64-qt-xxxx-xx-xx-xxxxxxx.zip.

2.2 Move & Extract it

1. Move your newly downloaded archive to the folder of your choice. It can be everywhere
2. Extract it (Using built-in app or app like winrar, 7z, etc...)

For Windows:

1. First, you will need Microsoft Visual C++ 2022 to run it.
   Download it from here: https://aka.ms/vs/17/release/vc_redist.x64.exe and install it before next step
2. Open the folder newly extracted and run shadPS4.exe.
   The first time, Windows will maybe ask you about security, you can agree.

For Linux:

1. Open the folder newly extracted
2. Start Shadps4-qt.AppImage

For macOS:

1. Open the folder newly extracted
2. A window should pop up with the text shadps4 Not Opened, tap on Done.
3. Navigate to the Apple icon on the top left of your screen and tap on it. In the newly appeared menu there is an option called System Settings, tap on it.
4. After the System Settings application has been opened, navigate to the Privacy & Security tab and scroll down in the new opened tab till you see the message shadps4 was blocked to protect your Mac
5. On the right side of the message, there is a button called Open Anyway, tap on it.
6. A new window should pop up which says Open shadps4? , tap on the Open Anyway button and enter your password or use your fingerprint to confirm.

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3. Install PKG Files

Caution

You must DUMP your games yourself. We do not provide any links nor guide to do it!

The emulator is now started. Now you want to install your first PKG (games).

1. Go to File then to Install Packages (PKG)
2. A window opens, locate your file(s), select it/them, and open it
   Note: You can install multiple PKG files at once.
3. Once finished, the game should appear in the application.
   Make sure to wait until 100%. If the GUI crash or bug, you have to do it again.

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4. Configure the emulator

Congratulations, your emulator is now running with your first games !
Now you can start to configure it
Follow this link to learn how to set up shadPS4.