Downgrading the PS4 firmware—typically to versions 4.05 or earlier—enables users to install custom firmware (CFW) like rxTools or Orbis Toolbox . These tools unlock functionalities such as running homebrew applications, modded games, or emulators. While some use CFW for legitimate experimentation or preserving games, others exploit it for piracy, which undermines developers' intellectual property. The technical feasibility of downgrading has evolved alongside Sony's security updates and hardware changes (e.g., the PS4 Pro's architecture shift).