PPSSPP doesn’t come with games. You add your own PSP game files and open them from the Games tab. This guide shows which files work, where to put them and what to do when a game doesn’t show up.
Need PPSSPP? The free version and Gold play games exactly the same.
Which files PPSSPP can open
| File type | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
.iso | Yes | Full PSP disc image. Largest size. |
.cso | Yes | Compressed ISO, often half the size. Plays the same. See how to make CSO files. |
.chd | Yes (recent versions) | Another compressed format. Update PPSSPP if it doesn’t open. |
.zip / .rar / .7z | Extract first | Unzip to get the ISO or CSO inside. |
EBOOT.PBP in a folder | Yes | PSN games and homebrew. Put the whole folder in PSP/GAME. |
Add a game in 4 steps
- Extract the game if it came in a .zip, .rar or .7z. With ZArchiver, tap the file and choose Extract here. You need the
.isoor.csofile. - Put it in one folder. Make a folder such as
Internal storage/PSP Gamesand move your games there, so they’re all in one place. - Open PPSSPP → Games tab and browse to that folder. Your games appear with their covers.
- Pin the folder so PPSSPP opens it every time: while inside the folder, tap the Home or pin icon at the top of the game list.
Once the ISO or CSO is extracted, you don’t need the zip any more. Deleting it saves the same amount of space again.
Homebrew and PSN games (EBOOT.PBP)
Games that come as a folder with an EBOOT.PBP inside go in the PSP/GAME folder of PPSSPP’s memory stick. To see where that is, open Settings → System → Memory Stick folder. The final path looks like .../PSP/GAME/GameName/EBOOT.PBP.
Game doesn’t show up?
- It’s still zipped. PPSSPP shows ISO and CSO files. Extract the archive first.
- Only half the file downloaded. A PSP ISO is usually 200 MB to 1.8 GB. A 30 MB “ISO” is broken; download it again.
- Wrong folder. Browse to the folder from the Games tab, or use Load… at the top of the list to open the file directly.
- Permission request. On newer Android versions PPSSPP asks for access to a folder. Choose your games folder and tap Use this folder → Allow.
- It’s a PS1 or PS2 game. PPSSPP only plays PSP games. For PS2, see our ARMSX2 guide.
Got your game running? Make it look and run better with our best PPSSPP settings, or fix slowdowns with these lag fixes.
FAQ
Where do I put ISO files for PPSSPP?
Anywhere on your phone. Put them in one folder, open PPSSPP’s Games tab, browse to that folder and pin it as your home folder.
Can PPSSPP play ZIP files?
Extract the zip first and open the ISO or CSO file inside. That also avoids slow loading.
Is CSO worse than ISO in PPSSPP?
No. CSO is a compressed ISO and plays the same. Loading can be a little slower on very old phones.
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