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How to Downgrade PS3 Without Losing Trophies

Not all PlayStation 3 firmware updates work the way they should. When glitches, freezing or lag occurs as a result of a firmware update, some players feel frustrated enough to take their system down to the previous level. Downgrading a PS3, however, is not something that you should do abruptly -- regardless of how frustrated you are with the recent update -- because you risk losing saved data, such as your trophies. All the time and effort you put into achieving your gaming trophies might be for nothing, if you don't back up the system properly.

Things You'll Need

Downgrade jailbreak dongle
USB device
Appropriate firmware file

Instructions

Saving The Trophies
- 1
  Log in to your PS3 account on the network with your sign-in ID and password. Once you access the main menu screen, use the controller or gaming stick to scroll to the "Game" tab icon. This takes you to a new window with more options and icons.
- 2
  Scroll through the new menu to look for the "Trophies" icon. Select the "Trophies" by pressing the "Select" button on your controller or stick. This highlights the icon.
- 3
  Press the "Triangle" button on the PS3 controller. This is your "Y" button, too. On a standard controller, the triangle is green and the button is on the right side. If you are using a gaming stick, press the corresponding button based on where you programmed it to be.
- 4
  Review the new options that come up after pressing the "Triangle" button or equivalent. Select the option for "Sync With Server." This process saves your trophy data to the server account, so that regardless of what firmware update you use, you can access the trophies and maintain your achievements. You are now ready for the downgrade.
Performing The Downgrade
- 5
  Power off the PS3, and disconnect it from the power source by removing the power cord. Reconnect the power cord, but don't turn the power button on just yet.
- 6
  Insert the downgrade dongle, which is a type of jailbreak USB device, into the USB port on the PS3 console. Press the PS3 "Power" button, immediately followed by the "Eject" button. This turns the system off, ejects the downgrade dongle from the USB port and puts the system into service mode the next time you power it up.
- 7
  Download the appropriate firmware file from the Internet to your computer for the downgrade. Depending on the firmware you're downgrading to, each file may be different. The files can be found on PlayStation websites and forums. Save the downgrade firmware file on a USB device.
- 8
  Insert the USB device into the USB port on the PS3 console. Press the "Power" button and wait for the PS3 to turn on into service mode. Wait a few minutes for the upload to take place. When it's finished, the console will shut off automatically.
- 9
  Pull the USB device out of the port. Press the "Power" button again, and the PS3 will be ready with the new downgraded firmware.

PlayStation 3