PSFirmware: Android App with an Ongoing Notification Showing the PlayStation Firmware Version

⚡ The gist in 5 seconds - SkyWallKing/PSFirmware — an Android app that shows the latest and minimum PlayStation firmware versions in an ongoing notification - Data comes from the public slopcheck API (psn.etawen.lol), refreshing every 5 minutes while the screen is active - Requires Android 8.0+; the author warns that the code was "vibe coded" and hasn't undergone serious review ### 🔍 What was found A project called PS Firmware has been published on GitHub — a small Android app that keeps an ongoing notification with the current PlayStation firmware status for a selected region: the latest and minimum allowed firmware versions, the region's online status, and the time of the last data update. The notification is updated in place, without posting new ones, sits in the main section of the shade above silent notifications, and makes no sound. Updates run every 5 minutes while the phone is awake, and immediately when the screen turns on or is unlocked; in sleep mode, an alarm serves as a fallback mechanism. On first launch, you're asked to pick a region: Brazil, USA, Japan, Europe, UK, South Korea, Mexico, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia, China, or Hong Kong. The notification is displayed in the region's language (Portuguese for Brazil, Japanese for Japan, etc.), while the app itself is always in English. The app checks GitHub for new releases on open and every 12 hours; when a new version comes out, a notification arrives, and the APK is downloaded and installed with one tap (with Android confirmation). The notification is restored after a reboot and reappears if it was swiped away. ### 💡 Why it matters For those tracking PS5/PS4 firmware versions — for example, waiting for a major update or monitoring the minimum allowed version — the utility eliminates the need for manual checks: up-to-date data is always visible in the notification shade. The project requires no accounts, contains no ads or tracking, and only contacts the public firmware API and the GitHub releases API. It's an unofficial fan project, not affiliated with Sony Interactive Entertainment. ### 🧩 Context The author explicitly warns that the app is "heavily vibe coded" — it does its job, but it hasn't undergone serious code review or extensive testing on real devices, so use it at your own risk. Installation is via PSFirmware.apk from the latest release (Android 8.0+), with the "install from unknown sources" permission enabled. Owners of Samsung, Xiaomi, and other brands with aggressive battery optimization are advised to set the app to Unrestricted in the Battery optimization settings. Building from source requires JDK 17+ and the Android SDK (platform 35) via Gradle; the release build is signed with a debug key and installs directly. Firmware data is provided by slopcheck via the API at psn.etawen.lol.

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