The magic of firmware 3.73 lies not in Sony's changes, but in what it allows . The release of (the "BETTER" tool) made 3.73 a fantastic firmware for modding. The scene reacted quickly; within hours of the 3.73 update going live, tools were updated to support it.
), meaning you don't have to re-run the exploit every time you reboot the console. Download and Installation
Firmware 3.73 was released by Sony in . It was a minor stability patch intended to block hacking attempts (specifically the Trinity hack for 3.69/3.70). It remains the latest official firmware for the PS Vita (1000, 2000, and PSTV) as of 2025. Sony has discontinued all Vita production and network support aside from legacy downloads, making 3.73 the final chapter in the console’s software history.
Once your PS Vita is running smoothly on firmware 3.73, you unlock the ability to expand the handheld’s capabilities far beyond what Sony originally intended. The h-encore² Exploit
Released on October 16, 2019, PS Vita system software version 3.73 was Sony's penultimate official update for the console. Its official purpose, as stated by Sony, was to "improve system performance". While Sony never elaborated on the specifics, community analysis by modders revealed only minor, mostly text-related changes (e.g., to the Party App).
PS Vita Firmware 3.73: The Ultimate Guide to Downloading and Installing
This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about downloading, installing, and modifying PS Vita firmware 3.73 safely. Understanding PS Vita Firmware 3.73
Obtain the official PSP2UPDAT.PUP file for firmware version 3.73.
PS Vita Firmware 3.73 Download BETTER: The Ultimate Guide to Finalizing Your Vita
When users append “BETTER” to this search query, they are usually comparing 3.73 against older firmwares like 3.60 or 3.65. Here is the breakdown of why 3.73 might be considered better for certain users.
The Vita will not update if the battery is below 50%. Plug it into a power source before starting [2].