There are several PSP models and for each one you must use a different method for hacking it that might not be compatible with oter model. To avoid problems with the upgrades I decided to sumarize this information in this post:

Note:  You must take into account that on PSP 3000, PSP Go and PSP E1000 there isn’t a custom firmware permanent for firmware higher to 6.20, hence  you must repeat the procedure every time you turn off the console.

Downgrading

If you need to downgrade a version there are three methods that depends on the PSP model you have:

Side note:  Take into account that on  PSP 3000, PSP Go and PSP E1000 there isn’t a method for downloading a PSP.

PSP 2000 vs. 2001 vs. 2010

If you doubt about the PSP model you have, check this article that talks about the PSP versions.

Note: the video shown is for 6.39, but the steps are the same.

 If your PSP has firmware 6.60 and you want to run homebrews, plugins and backups of your original games and other features (like the VSH menu, play recent games, Recovery menu, etc)< then it’s your lucky day because you can use the custom firmware 6.60 PRO that let you do all this. The only drawback: it’s not permanent, so if you turn off or reboot your PSP yo must repeat the “installation” procedure shown on the video. Below I leave the steps for installing it…

Requisites

• To have installed the Official Firmware 6.60
• Any PSP model (PSP 1000, PSP 2000, PSP 3000 or PSP Go)
• Battery charged at least up to 78%

Warning

Do the following steps at your own risk.  Remember that only you are responsible of what you do to your console. Although I followed this method successfully, I won’t take responsibility if you brick your console.

Installing

1. Download the Custom Firmware 6.60 PRO-C -fix3
2. Extract the downloaded file.
3. Copy the folder PROUPDATE into directory /PSP/GAME. You should have this path /PSP/GAME/PROUPDATE.
4. On the PSP, go to game menu and select UPDATE PRO as explained on the video.
5. Enjoy!!

How to make it permanent?

Every time you turn off your console, I mean no in stand-by, you must redo the steps explained earlier. On some PSP models (for example PSP 1000 and PSP 2000) this upgrade can be permanent, to do so follow these instructions:

1. Copy the folder  CIPL_Flasher into directory  /PSP/GAME/. You should have this path /PSP/GAME/CIPL_Flasher.
2. On the PSP, go to game menu and select CIPL Flasher for PRO-C.
3. You will see a black screen with a menu. Press X to install the  IPL  (this makes the custom firmware permanent)
4. The PSP will reboot after 5 seconds, and now you will be enjoy the custom firmware without needing to redo the procedure.

Older versions

Here I leave the older versions in case you need them:

• Custom Firmware 6.60 PRO-B10 -fix1
• Custom Firmware 6.60 PRO-B9 -fix1

Reference: [Tutorial] LCFW 6.60 PRO-B9 (Spanish)

There’s already a custom firmware for 6.6 version. In the case a custom firmware made by neur0n that works on 100% hackable PSP. Let’s see how to install it.

Warning

Do the following steps at your own risk.  Remember that only you are responsible of what you do to your console. Although I followed this method successfully, I won’t take responsibility if you brick your console.

Requisites

• PSP 100% hackable, meaning,  PSP-1000 or PSP-2000 without doom board (TA-88v3). IT DOES NOT WORK ON PSP 2000 TA-088v3, PSP-3000 OR PSP GO EITHER!
• A custom firmware installed previously. For instance 5.03 M33-4, 6.20/6.35/6.39 PRO, 6.39 ME/LME
• Battery charged at least up to 78%

Installing

• Download and extract the Official Firmware 6.60.
• Download and extract the Custom Firmware 6.60 ME-1.6.
• Copy files EBOOT.PBP y 660.PBP into /PSP/GAME/UPDATE on the memory stick.
• On the PSP, go to the XMB then go to game menu and run the update as is shown on the video.

Now you can enjoy all features provided by this custom firmware, such as plugins, homebrews, run backup of your original games, recovery menu, and more!

The official firmware 6.60 has been released and Sony claims  they has been improved stability during use of some features.

Warning

Remember this is an official upgrade, meaning that this procedure will revert anything you’ve done to your console, for instance, it will revert any hacking. In other words, You will NOT be able to play backup games from the memory stick, you will NOT be able to run homebrew, and you will NOT be able to downgrade your PSP to a lower version unless your PSP is 100% hackable.Also remember that any exploit may have been patched.

Do the following steps at your own risk.  Remember that only you are responsible of what you do to your console. Although I followed this method successfully, I won’t take responsibility if you brick your console.

Upgrading to 6.60

1. Download and extract the official firmware 6.60. (PSP GO user use this firmware).
2. Rename the 660.PBP file to EBOOT.PBP
3. Copy the EBOOT.PBP file into PSP/GAME/UPDATE on your MS. Create any folder if necessary.
4. Remove your PSP safely.
5. Now go to the XMB, go to game menu and run the update as is shown on the video.

Installing Custom Firmware 6.60 PRO

Once you had installed the official  firmware 6.6, you can proceed to install the Custom Firmware 6.60 PRO.

 Note: on video is shown LME-8 version but it’s the same for newer versions

With this Custom Firmware you will be able to run homebrews (third-party apps), play backups of your original titles or even connect to the PSN. This is a no permanent firmware, so after turning off the PSP you official firmware will come back as if you haven’t done anything. Without further ado let’s see how to install Custom Firmware 6.39 LME:

Warning

Do the following steps at your own risk.  Remember that only you are responsible of what you do to your console. Although I followed this method successfully, I won’t take responsibility if you brick your console.

Requisites

• To have the Official Firmware 6.39 installed.
• Battery charged at least to 78%.

Installing

1. Download el Custom Firmware 6.39 LME-9-7.
2. Extract the downloaded file.
3. Copy folders installer and launcher to /PSP/GAME directory.  You should have this path /PSP/GAME/installer and this other one /PSP/GAME/launcher.
4. In the PSP, go to Game menu and run installer and then launcher as explained on the video.
5. Enjoy!!

Older versions

• Custom Firmware 6.39 LME-9-4
• Custom Firmware 6.39 LME-9

Reference: LCFW 6.39 LME-8 (Todos los modelos) (in Spanish)

 If your PSP has firmware 6.39 and you want to run homebrews, plugins and backups of your original games and other features (like the VSH menu, play recent games, support for PSX, Recovery menu, etc)< then it’s your lucky day because you can use the custom firmware 6.39 PRO-B7 that let you do all this. The only drawback: it’s not permanent, so if you turn off or reboot your PSP yo must repeat the “installation” procedure shown on the video. Below I leave the steps for installing it…

Requisites

• To have the Official Firmware 6.39 installed.

Installing

1. Download the Custom Firmware 6.39 PRO-10 fix1.
2. Extract the downloaded file.
3. Copy the extracted folder folder PSP/GAME/PROUPDATE on the PC into directory /PSP/GAME on your MS.. You should have this path /PSP/GAME/PROUPDATE.
4. On the PSP, go to game menu and select UPDATE PRO as explained on the video.
5. Enjoy!!

Reference: [Tutorial] LCFW 6.39 PRO-B7 (Spanish)

Sometimes we need to format the memory stick (MS) from the PC. This is a valid option, but has a downside: all PSP’s data is erased, even the GAME and ISO folders. In order to fix this just insert the MS into the PSP and follow these steps:

1. Go to System Settings
   
2. Select Format Memory Stick
3. Accept and confirm

Then you will have your memory stick formatted properly and ready to use. If you still have doubts you can check the video out, where the procedure is shown.

Warning

This procedure delete all data in your memory stick. Although I followed these steps and I share them, keep in mind your are the only responsible for your data.

If you upgraded to version 6.xx  and you want to enjoy a custom firmware like the permanent 6.20 or any custom firmware no permanent like the 6.45 o the 6.60, then you can use this downgrader to install official firmware 6.20, 6.35 or 6.60 on your PSP. You can run this downgrader from a custom firmware (like shown in the video) or from a official firmware because is singed.

Warning

• Do the following steps at your own risk.  Remember that only you are responsible of what you do to your console. Although I followed this method successfully, I won’t take responsibility if you brick your console.
• PSP model 3g, 4g, 5g can downgrade up to 6.20.
• PSP model 7g and higher can downgrade up to 6.35.

Requisites

• PSP 1000,2000, 3000 or PSP Go.
• Firmware higher than the one you want to downgrade.
• At least 78% of battery charge.

Installing

1. Download the Dowgrader 6.xx v4.1.
2. Extract and copy folder “Downgrader” into /PSP/GAME. It should be /PSP/GAME/Downgrader
3. Download the firmware you want to downgrade to:
   • Firmware 6.20 (PSP 1000,2000 y 3000) | Firmware 6.20 (PSPGo!).
   • Firmware 6.35 (PSP 1000,2000 y 3000) | Firmware 6.35 (PSPGo!).
   • Firmware 6.60 (PSP 1000, 2000 y 3000) | Firmware 6.60 (PSPGo!).
4. Rename the downloaded firmware to EBOOT.PBP and copy it into the folder /PSP/GAME/UPDATE. Example: Firmware 620.PBP would be /PSP/GAME/UPDATE/EBOOT.PBP
5. Go to Game menu and launch the downgrader as shown in the video.
6. Follow the official firmware installation procedure.

Reference [Tutorial] Downgradear cualquier PSP de 6.38/39 a 6.20/6.35 (in Spanish)

The official firmware 6.39 has been released and its main feature is the posibility to connect to the PSN to change your password after the security leak Sony went throuth.

Warning

Remember this is an official upgrade, meaning that this procedure will revert anything you’ve done to your console, for instance, it will revert any hacking. In other words, You will NOT be able to play backup games from the memory stick, you will NOT be able to run homebrew, and you will NOT be able to downgrade your PSP to a lower version unless your PSP is 100% hackable.Also remember that any exploit may have been patched.

Do it at your own risk.

Upgrading to 6.39

1. Download the official firmware 6.39. (PSP GO user use this firmware).
2. Rename the 639.PBP file to EBOOT.PBP
3. Copy the EBOOT.PBP file into PSP/GAME/UPDATE on your MS. Create any folder if necessary.
4. Remove your PSP safely.
5. Now go to the XMB, go to game menu and run the update as is shown on the video.

If your PSP has the firmware 6.35 it’s your lucky day because you can use the custom firmware 6.35 PRO wich lets you run homebrews, plugins and backups of your original games and other features (like the VSH menu, play recent games, support for PSX, Recovery menu, etc). The only drawback is that it’s not permanent, so if you turn off or reboot your PSP yo must repeat the “installation” procedure shown on the video. Below I leave the steps for installing it…

Requisites

• To have the Official Firmware 6.35 installed.

Installing

1. Download the Custom Firmware 6.35 PRO-10 fix1.
2. Extract the downloaded file.
3. Copy the folder PROUPDATE into directory /PSP/GAME. You should have this path /PSP/GAME/PROUPDATE.
4. On the PSP, go to game menu and select UPDATE PRO as explained on the video.
5. Enjoy!!

Reference: [Tutorial] LCFW 6.35 PRO-B5 (in Spanish)