VitaShell - Installing PS Vita Backups and Homebrew via FTP or USB

ps vita vitashell settings press start

This guide will show you how to install VitaShell, the powerful PS Vita file manager by TheOfficialFlow. VitaShell is mainly used to transfer files and install homebrew applications. It comes with additional features such as USB file transfer, music player, image viewer and a simple text editor. VitaShell is usually included as part of your custom firmware installation but can be also manually using molecularShell.

Required Downloads:

PS Vita with Custom Firmware

  • The VitaShell file manager requires a PS Vita running CFW such as HENkaku or h-encore

Wi-Fi Connection

  •  You will need a Wi-Fi connection to transfer the install files via FTP

SD2Vita Adapter (Recommended)icon-amazon

Installing VitaShell

  1. On your PS Vita, launch molecularShell and press the [Select] button to activate FTP modemolecularshell vita ftp ip address
  2. Enter the address displayed on your PS Vita in your PC file browser  e.g. ftp://xxx.xxx.x.x:1337ps vita vitashell ftp folder
  3. On your PC file browser,  go to ux0: and create a folder called vpk if it doesn’t already existvita ux0 vpk folder
  4. Transfer vitashell.vpk to the ux:0/vpk/ foldervita vpk folder ftp
  5. When the transfer is complete, press [Circle] on your PS Vita to close FTP mode
  6. In VitaShell, go to ux0: -> /vpk/ then highlight VitaShell.vpk
  7. Press [Cross] to install it and confirm the extended permissions promptvitashell install package
  8. Close molecularShell when the installation is complete
  9. Launch the VitaShell bubble from your LiveArea
Congratulations, you have now installed VitaShell. Use it to transfer files via USB and install homebrew applications (.vpk files).

How to Install Homebrew Apps and Plugins

  1. Open VitaShell and press the [Select] button to activate FTP or USB mode
  2. Copy your homebrew to the PS Vita using your PC file browser
  • For Apps (.vpk): Transfer the .vpk file to the ux0:/vpk/ folder
    1. When the transfer is complete, press [Circle] to close FTP/USB mode
    2. In VitaShell, go to ux0: -> /vpk/ then highlight the .vpk and press [Cross] to install it and confirm the extended permissions promptps vita vitashell install vpk
    3. Close VitaShell when the installation is complete to find your bubble in the LiveArea
  • For plugins (.skprx): Transfer the .skprx to the ur0:/tai/ folder
    1. In VitaShell, go to ur0: -> /tai/ then highlight the config.txt file and press [Cross] to edit itvita ur0 tai config .txt
    2. Add a line for the plugin path to configure your PS Vita to enable itvita ur0 tai config .txt insert empty line

PS Vita Homebrew

Vita Homebrew Browser

  • You can download and install homebrew directly to your Vita without a PC using the VHBB
  • The VHBB uses the database from VitaDB for the collection of homebrew apps

Autoplugin

  • Autoplugin by theheroGAC features a collection of essential PS Vita plugins that can be installed automatically without a PC

PKGj

  • PKGj by blastrock is a homebrew app that uses the NoPayStation library to download and install Vita, PSP and PSX game backups, DLC and themes directly to your PS Vita without the need for VitaShell or a PC

SD2Vita

  • Increase your storage options with the SD2Vita MicroSD adapter and StorageMgr plugin
  • MicroSD cards are far cheaper than the PS Vita memory cards and have much larger storage capacity

Credits