PPSSPP PSP emulator

Getting started · 5 steps

From install to the first real save.

PPSSPP does not ship games. Install from the download page, point it at backups you own, then change one graphics setting at a time. If something breaks, check the troubleshooting page before stacking changes.

Lumines running in PPSSPP with crisp upscaled blocks and backgrounds

The five steps

  1. Install PPSSPP

    Use the download page and pick the build for your device. Open PPSSPP once after install so it can create its memstick and configuration folders.

    On Android 11 and newer, the first launch may ask you to choose a data folder. Create a PSP folder at the root of storage, open it in the picker, then tap Use this folder and confirm.

  2. Prepare dumps you own

    PPSSPP reads ISO, CSO, and (from version 1.17) CHD disc images. Run the image as a single file. Do not extract an ISO into hundreds of loose folders.

    Dump games from PSP hardware or UMDs you own using the official dumping guide. PPSSPP will not play UMD Video discs or PS1 Classics.

    In the game list, long-press or right-click a title and choose Calculate CRC to verify a dump against known databases.

  3. Browse to your game folder

    Open the Games tab and choose Browse. Select the folder that contains your disc images, not an individual file. Subfolders are scanned automatically.

    On desktop, a simple layout is Documents/PPSSPP Games. On Android, place images in PSP/ISO inside the folder you granted access to.

    Android folder picker with the Use this folder button highlighted for granting PPSSPP storage access
    Android 11+ folder picker. The interface may vary by device. If access is denied, move files to a user-created folder such as Documents/Games/PSP and try again.

  4. Pick a graphics backend

    Play first with the default settings. If you see a black screen, broken effects, or an immediate crash, open Settings → Graphics → Backend and try another available option.

    On current phones and PCs, Vulkan is often the fastest choice. Fall back to OpenGL on Android or Direct3D 11 on Windows if needed. Change one setting, restart the game, and test before trying anything else.

    Device-specific presets and resolution guidance live on the settings page.

  5. Save inside the game first

    Use each title's own save menu for progress you do not want to redo. Save states are fast and convenient, but they are tied to the PPSSPP version and settings that created them.

    On desktop, open the memstick from File → Open Memory Stick. On mobile, go to Settings → System → Show Memory Stick folder. Back up the PSP/SAVEDATA folder before updates, reinstalls, or device moves.

    Keep at least one backup outside the PPSSPP app folder and outside cloud sync folders that may lock files while you play.

Common first-week mistakes

  • Extracting ISOs: PPSSPP loads the disc image file directly. Hundreds of loose files in a folder will not appear in the game list.
  • Max CSO compression everywhere: Saves space but can cause hitches in 3D titles. Keep ISOs for games that stutter as CSO.
  • 4× resolution on weak hardware: Half speed feels worse than 2× at a steady 60 FPS. Match presets to your device on the settings page.
  • Only using save states: States may not load after a PPSSPP update. Use in-game saves for story progress.
  • Enabling every speedhack: Multithreaded (experimental) and aggressive frameskip cause more bugs than they fix. Restore defaults first.
  • Syncing memstick to cloud storage: Drive, OneDrive, and similar services can corrupt saves while the emulator is running. Keep active saves local.

File formats

Format What it is When to use it
ISO Uncompressed disc image Highest compatibility. Largest file size.
CSO Compressed ISO, unpacked while playing Phones with limited storage. Heavy compression can stutter in action titles.
CHD Compressed hunks in MAME-style archives Smaller archives. Requires PPSSPP 1.17 or newer.

Version 1.20.4 can also load an ISO from some 7-Zip archives directly. Homebrew belongs in PSP/GAME/ on the memstick, not mixed with commercial disc images.

Keep going

Settings

Graphics presets and resolution guidance matched to your hardware.

Troubleshooting

Black screen, low FPS, and missing games: fix one thing at a time.

Download

Official PPSSPP 1.20.4 builds for every supported platform.

Need the emulator first?

Download the official PPSSPP 1.20.4 build for your platform, then return here to finish setup.

Download PPSSPP Common fixes
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