possible. A new PS3 emulator called aPS3e is available on the Google Play Store, and it lets you run PS3 games directly on Android devices. Until now, PS3 emulation was only available on PCs. aPS3e is the first PS3 emulator that you can download directly from the Play Store. So, you do not need to find risky APK files from unknown sources. Just open the Play Store, search for aPS3e, and install it.
But do not expect everything to work perfectly. The app is still in early development. Even the Play Store listing says that many games might not run well. Some users say the app crashes often, has bugs, and does not run smoothly. It works best on powerful phones — the developer recommends at least 12 GB of RAM and support for Vulkan graphics. If you have a mid-range or budget phone, you might face problems.
Also read: How to Play PS3 Games on PS4 for Free
How to Install and Use aPS3e on Android
Open the Google Play Store on your Android device and search for aPS3e or just click here to open it. Tap Install and wait for the app to download.
Before you use aPS3e, you need to download PS3 firmware. Here’s the link to latest firmware. Tap the three-dot icon at the top right corner, and tap Install Firmware. Now select the PS3 firmware (.PUP file) you downloaded.
aPS3e does not come with any games, and you should only use games that you legally own. If you already have a PlayStation 3, dump your game discs using tools like MultiMAN or webMAN. Convert your game into a .PKG file or folder format. This is the format supported by the emulator. Transfer the game files to your Android phone using a USB cable or cloud storage (like Google Drive). There are also a few websites that provide .PKG files of different games. But these may not be legal if allow downloading paid games for free.
Once you have the .PKG file of the game, you are ready to play. Open the aPS3e app on your phone and grant any storage permissions if the app asks. Tap on “Load Game” or the game browser option. Navigate to the folder where your .PKG or game files are stored.
After the game is installed, it will be shown in the list.
Tap the game to launch it.
The game will now try to boot. Depending on your device’s hardware and the game’s compatibility, performance will vary. Some games may not load or may run slowly.
aPS3e comes with built-in on-screen controls, so you can start playing using touch. You can also connect a Bluetooth controller for a more console-like experience. If a game is not running well, lower the resolution or graphical settings from the app settings. Close background apps to free up memory or try different rendering modes (if available).
aPS3e is built using the source code from RPCS3, the popular PS3 emulator for PC. Some critics have accused the developer of copying code without credit, but the developer has now made the project open-source on GitHub.
aPS3e is completely free and does not include any ads. There is also a Premium version for $5 if you want to support the developer and contribute to the emulator’s future updates. The emulator has already crossed 50,000 downloads, which shows how much interest there is in playing PS3 games on Android.
As I already said, this app does not include any games. You will need to dump your own PS3 game files and convert them into a format the emulator supports.
This emulator may not be the perfect solution yet, but it is a huge step forward in Android emulation. With future updates, aPS3e might actually turn your smartphone into a mini PlayStation 3. If you have a powerful Android phone, go ahead and give it a try. You might just relive some of your best gaming memories, right from your pocket.
Download: Play Store
