Sony just dropped a new PS4 firmware update

Sony has released firmware version 13.52 for the PlayStation 4. The update went live on June 16, 2026, and is currently rolling out to all remaining consoles.

The update includes "some security fixes to the system software." There are no release patch notes beyond that single sentence.

Probably just Blu-ray keys

The latest patch before this one was version 13.50, which launched back in March 2026. This kind of ongoing support is not that unusual. The PlayStation 3 actually had a firmware update on March 18, 2026. That console launched two decades ago in 2006. Sony clearly has an internal mandate to keep its legacy network infrastructure secure, even for systems that have been out of production for years.

I think this could be as simple as certificate updates for things like Blu-ray playback. But that is purely speculation. Movie studios require hardware manufacturers to periodically refresh their encryption keys to keep physical media functioning properly. The PS4 Pro is still a very capable machine and used by many people. It launched in 2016 as a mid-generation refresh, and plenty of modern indie games run perfectly fine on the older silicon. Maintaining basic media functionality is just good housekeeping.

Wait and see for homebrew

Whenever a minor security patch drops, the immediate question is what it breaks behind the scenes. Right now, it is unknown if this patch stops any jailbreaks. The homebrew community usually advises holding off on system updates until payload developers can poke around the internal files and verify what changed.

Sony has a long history of playing cat and mouse with software exploits. The PlayStation Vita and PlayStation 3 both saw similar late-stage security patches designed to close kernel vulnerabilities long after their commercial peaks. Firmware 13.50 was already a point of contention for console modders, and 13.52 will likely require the same cautious approach.

No more emojis

The PlayStation 4 originally launched in November 2013. It competed directly with the Xbox One and Wii U, eventually becoming one of the best-selling consoles of its generation. Even though the PlayStation 5 has been the primary focus since 2020, the older system's massive install base means it still requires routine maintenance.

Earlier updates in the version 11 and 10 branches actually changed how the console operated. Version 11.00 introduced passwordless sign-ins via the PlayStation App, letting users scan a QR code with their phone just like they do on the PS5. It also added emoji reactions to messages.

The PlayStation App itself launched alongside the console in 2013. It has undergone several redesigns over the years to act as a bridge between the PS4 and PS5 ecosystems. Features like remote game downloads and console storage management keep the older hardware feeling somewhat modern.

Version 10.50 expanded account management by letting players view authorized third-party apps directly in the settings menu. It also tweaked the friends list so people active on the mobile app would show up as online. While some updates in the version 12 and 13 branches, such as 12.00, 12.50, 13.00, and 13.50, included improvements to messages and usability, the focus has increasingly shifted towards background security and stability.

Source: www.playstation.com