Quick start

From download to first save in four moves.

Most first-launch problems come from folder permissions or a graphics backend that your device rejects. Follow this order before changing ten settings at once.

1
Install PPSSPP
Pick your platform on the download page. On Android 11+, create a PSP folder when asked and tap Use this folder. Skipping this step is the top reason games vanish from the list later.
2
Add ISO, CSO, or CHD files
Put disc images you own in one folder. Do not extract ISOs. CSO saves space but max compression can stutter in heavy 3D titles. A recurring complaint in community threads.
3
Pick a graphics backend
Try Vulkan first. Black screen or instant crash? Switch to OpenGL on Android or Direct3D 11 on Windows. Change only that one setting, then relaunch.
4
Save inside the game
Use the title’s own save menu for progress you care about. Save states are for retries; they can break after a PPSSPP update or when Fast Memory causes crashes on save (common on some Android builds).

Features

What PPSSPP actually does.

Defaults are usually enough for the first launch. Tune later from the settings presets.

Render above 480×272

Internal resolution at 2×, 4×, or higher. Texture scaling and post-process shaders are optional, and expensive on weak GPUs.

Save states and memstick saves

Instant states for retries. Keep in-game saves for progress; states can break after a PPSSPP update.

No BIOS dump

PPSSPP reimplements PSP system software. You still need ISO, CSO, or CHD files of games you own.

Touch, keyboard, or a pad

On-screen controls are movable. Map any gamepad under Settings → Controls.

Ad-hoc and infrastructure

Local ad-hoc with matching versions. Infrastructure multiplayer for revived servers.

Open source under GPL

Created by Henrik Rydgård, maintained in the open. Gold is optional support, not a feature unlock.

In action

PSP library, rendered for modern screens.

Gameplay screenshots from ppsspp.org/media. PPSSPP does not ship games; you add disc images you own.

WipEout Pure running in PPSSPP — WipEout Pure

Download

Get PPSSPP for your device.

Pick your platform below. Direct links to stable 1.20.4 builds on ppsspp.org. We do not host game files.

Windows Installer & portable

Android APK install

iOS iPhone & iPad

Linux Flatpak · AppImage

macOS Download page

VR Quest, Pico, and other Android VR headsets

Common problems

What people ask about most.

Paraphrased from recurring community threads. Not guaranteed fixes, but the first changes that usually help. Full table on the troubleshooting page.

Black screen

Game or menu stays black

Load the ISO as a file. Do not unzip it. Restore graphics defaults. Switch backend before touching resolution. On Android TV, OpenGL sometimes works when Vulkan shows a blank screen.

See fix steps →

Android

Games disappeared after an update

Scoped storage broke the old path. Open the Games tab, browse to your ISO folder again, and confirm the memstick folder in Settings → System. Re-granting the folder once can cut save-load freezes from ~10s to ~1s.

Android storage guide →

Performance

Lag or low FPS on a phone

Drop rendering resolution to 1×–2× PSP. Turn off texture scaling and post-process shaders. Leave Multithreaded (experimental) off unless you are testing. It often hurts more than it helps.

Low-end preset →

Saves

Save state crashed or won’t load

States bind to the PPSSPP version that wrote them. Keep in-game saves as the source of truth. If creating a state crashes, try turning Fast Memory off for that title only.

Save state FAQ →

Audio

Crackling or stuttering sound

Raise audio latency one step in settings. Disable audio stretching if voices sound warped. Rhythm games often need I/O on thread enabled when storage sleeps mid-song.

Audio fixes →

Controls

Gamepad works everywhere except PPSSPP

Floating chat heads, screen recorders, and accessibility overlays steal analog input on Android. Disable them, then remap under Settings → Controls.

Control mapping →

FAQ

Short answers before you dig deeper.

Do I need a PSP BIOS?

No. PPSSPP reimplements PSP hardware. You only need ISO, CSO, or CHD files of games you own. It will not boot Sony’s XMB or PlayStation Store.

Why is PPSSPP Gold a separate purchase?

Gold funds development. The free build already includes HD rendering, save states, multiplayer, and VR. See the Gold comparison.

ISO or CSO: which should I use?

ISO has the fewest surprises. CSO shrinks file size but heavy compression can hitch in action games. Community advice is to recompress milder or switch back to ISO if a title stutters randomly.

Why are cutscenes still blurry at 4× resolution?

FMVs were compressed for a 480×272 panel. Raising 3D resolution does not upscale those video files. That is a source limit, not a broken setting.

Can I sync saves through Google Drive or iCloud?

Not recommended. Cloud folders lock files while syncing and corrupt memstick saves mid-write. Keep SAVEDATA on local storage.

Read all FAQ answers →

Use it

Guides for the job in front of you.

Trust

What this site is and what it is not.

Not Sony software

PSP is a trademark of Sony Interactive Entertainment. PPSSPP is an independent emulator project.

Open source

PPSSPP is licensed under GPL 2.0 or later. Source code is open for inspection and community builds.

No games hosted here

If a page offers “free PSP ISOs,” leave. Those dumps are not from this site.

Optional support

PPSSPP Gold is the same emulator.

Buying Gold funds development. The free build already includes HD rendering, states, multiplayer, and VR. See the comparison.

Gold vs free

Next step

Get PPSSPP 1.20.4 for your device.

Stable release shipped 16 May 2026 with ad-hoc relay status and rendering fixes. Back up saves before trying development builds.

Open download notes

Play PSP games you own on a modern screen.