Screenshot published in the shadPS4 project's official README. Image source: shadPS4 project on GitHub.

shadPS4

PLAYSTATION EMULATOR

shadPS4

shadPS4 — an open-source, early-stage PlayStation 4 emulator that runs on Windows, Linux and macOS. It is actively developed on GitHub and provides user builds via releases and a Qt-based launcher.

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Screenshot published in the shadPS4 project's official README. Image source: shadPS4 project on GitHub.

PlayStationPRIMARY SYSTEM

History documentedPROJECT BEGAN

Open sourcePROJECT MODEL

WHY IT MATTERS

Why shadPS4?

shadPS4 is one of the publicly visible efforts to run PlayStation 4 software on PC-class hardware. The project focuses on reproducing the PS4 runtime sufficiently to boot and run commercial titles on x86_64 systems and supplies user-oriented releases and a Qt launcher to simplify getting started.

BEST FOR

Best for

Enthusiasts who want to experiment with PS4 emulation on desktop OSes, developers interested in PS4 internals or emulator development, and users who are prepared to follow detailed setup instructions and troubleshoot early-stage compatibility issues.

Gameplay from Heavy Rain on PlayStation 4.

The people behind shadPS4

History and status

shadPS4 is a community-driven emulator hosted on GitHub and has an active release cadence (pre-releases and named version releases). The project provides a user-oriented QtLauncher and documentation on building and running the emulator. The developers state that guest code executes natively on x86_64 (so ARM macs running under Rosetta are treated specially), and recent release notes and forum posts show ongoing feature work and compatibility improvements (for example, releases continuing into 2025). The project is described by its maintainers as early-stage: it can boot some titles and achieve meaningful progress on a subset of games, but broad compatibility is still a work in progress. shadPS4 does not include commercial game files, PS4 firmware/keys, or BIOS images — those must be provided by the user where applicable.

What shadPS4 supports

PlayStation (PlayStation 4)
Windows (x86_64)
Linux (x86_64)
macOS (x86_64; note: ARM Macs are not natively supported in the same way)

Download and availability

OFFICIAL DOWNLOADS

Get shadPS4

Official downloads and release binaries are published on the project's GitHub Releases page; the project also distributes a QtLauncher binary that is recommended for end users. Community mirrors and packaged builds exist, but prefer the project's official release assets.

Get shadPS4 ↗

DOCUMENTATION

Official documentation

Read the official configuration, compatibility, and troubleshooting material before changing advanced options.

Read official documentation ↗

Broken or missing download? Emulator projects move and official links sometimes change. Please contact Retro Replay so the source can be verified and updated.

shadPS4 setup guide

Setup note: The steps below summarize practical setup details verified from the project's official documentation and releases. Follow the project's README and wiki pages for the latest platform-specific instructions and build notes.

1) Get the official builds: Visit the project's GitHub Releases to download official release or pre-release assets. If you prefer a GUI, download the shadPS4 QtLauncher release (the README and wiki point users to the QtLauncher as the recommended user-facing distribution).
2) Verify platform and CPU requirements: shadPS4 executes guest code natively on x86_64; use an x86_64 CPU. Project notes and third-party documentation indicate the emulator benefits from modern CPU features (examples: AVX2 reported as required/beneficial in some downstream docs) and a GPU with Vulkan support (Vulkan 1.3 or later is recommended by third-party platform documentation). Confirm your host OS is supported (Windows, Linux, macOS x86_64).
3) Install required drivers and prerequisites: Install up-to-date GPU drivers that provide Vulkan support for your GPU and host OS. On Linux, install Vulkan development packages and any runtime libraries the build documentation lists. On macOS and Windows follow the platform-specific prerequisites in the project's documents or README.
4) Use the QtLauncher or run the emulator directly: The QtLauncher provides a simpler user interface and download management; the README recommends it for end users. Alternatively, the CLI/standalone emulator binary can be run directly; the repo README and wiki show example invocations (for example, running an ELF or eboot binary path).
5) Provide your own game files and firmware: shadPS4 does not supply commercial games, PS4 firmware, or any copyrighted console files. The emulator's documented methods for loading software include launching a PS4 executable (eboot/ELF) or using supported installation workflows if the build provides PKG handling; check the wiki/release notes for current PKG support status. Only use game files and firmware that you legally own and follow local law.
6) Consult the compatibility resources: The project and community maintain compatibility tracking (GitHub issues, a separate compatibility repo and forum posts). Before testing a title, check the project's compatibility pages and recent release notes to see reported status and any special steps or patches required for specific games.
7) Building from source (optional, advanced): If building from source, clone the official repository recursively to obtain submodules as documented in the project's build guides. Follow platform-specific build documents in the repo (Linux and macOS build notes are provided in the project's documents directory). Use the exact toolchain and dependency versions the build docs specify to avoid build errors.
8) Troubleshooting and community: Use the official GitHub issues, the project's forums and community channels for troubleshooting. Review release changelogs and recent issues for regressions or required runtime flags. Community forks and patched builds also exist; prefer official releases unless you understand the changes.

Software reminder: The emulator does not include commercial games, PS4 firmware, keys, or BIOS files. Use only legally obtained files and follow the project's licensing and legal guidance.

Sources and further reading

Release log

Selected releases and changes. The weekly emulation roundup covers the wider build log.

September 28, 2026 — September 28 pre-release (Pre-release): Improves shader type compatibility, big-picture launching without an update, and internal timing behavior. Official release and source ↗ · Weekly roundup →