Table of Contents

• What is SD2Vita?
• Benefits of Using SD2Vita
• What You’ll Need
• Different Versions of SD2Vita
• Setting Up SD2Vita
• Formatting Your microSD Card
• Installing the Adapter
• Configuring SD2Vita
• Troubleshooting
• Frequently Asked Questions

What is SD2Vita?

SD2Vita is a game card to microSD adapter for the PlayStation Vita handheld console. It allows you to use a microSD card up to 256GB in size in place of the PS Vita game card slot, giving you a much cheaper and more spacious storage upgrade compared to Sony’s expensive proprietary memory cards.

The adapter sits flush with the back of the PS Vita so it doesn’t protrude or prevent the game card slot cover from closing. Once properly set up with custom firmware, your PS Vita will treat the microSD card in the SD2Vita adapter as the default storage location for games, saves, and other content.

Benefits of Using SD2Vita

There are several advantages to using an SD2Vita adapter in your PlayStation Vita:

• Cheaper than official memory cards – The proprietary PS Vita memory cards are very expensive, often costing over $50 for a 32GB card. In comparison, you can get a 128GB microSD card for around $20. SD2Vita provides much more bang for your buck.

• Larger storage capacity – The largest size memory card Sony ever made for PS Vita is 64GB. With SD2Vita, you can use microSD cards up to 256GB in size, quadrupling your maximum possible storage space. More storage means more room for digital games, saves, and other media.

• Faster read/write speeds – High quality microSD cards offer superior performance to the official PS Vita memory cards. You may notice faster game load times and shorter installation/copying durations when using SD2Vita with a good microSD card.

• Versatile and future-proof – Since SD2Vita uses the universal microSD standard rather than a proprietary Sony format, you can easily use the card in other devices like smartphones, tablets, computers, or cameras. And if you ever need to upgrade to a larger sized card in the future, you can do so cheaply and effortlessly.

What You’ll Need

To use SD2Vita with your PS Vita, you will need the following:

• A PS Vita console (1000 or 2000 model)
• The SD2Vita adapter itself
• A compatible microSD card (32GB to 256GB in size, from a reputable brand)
• A Windows, Mac, or Linux computer to format the microSD card
• A PS Vita memory card (only required for the initial setup process)
• Custom firmware installed on your PS Vita:
• For 3.60 firmware: Henkaku/Enso
• For 3.65+ firmware: h-encore & Henkaku
• The VitaShell homebrew application
• The gamesd.skprx plugin
• The storage_config.txt file

We’ll go over how to set all of this up in the later sections. For now, just make sure you have all the necessary hardware and software components.

Different Versions of SD2Vita

There are a few different versions and variations of the SD2Vita adapter you may encounter. Here’s a quick overview:

Version	Notes
V1	The original release. White in color. May not sit perfectly flush with the PS Vita chassis.
V2	Improved design that sits flush. White color.
V3	Same design as V2 but black in color to match the PS Vita. Recommended version.
V5	Designed for PS Vita 1000 models. Requires a more complicated installation process. Not recommended for beginners.

For most users, the V3 model is the best choice. It has the optimal design and fits both PS Vita 1000 and 2000 models. The white V2 version is also a good option if you don’t mind the color mismatch. Avoid the V1 as it has a flaw that prevents it from sitting flush with the system.

The V5 is only intended for PS Vita 1000 models and requires opening up the console to install. Because of this added complexity, we don’t recommend it for first-time SD2Vita users. Stick with V2 or V3.

Setting Up SD2Vita

Now that you have everything you need, it’s time to set up your SD2Vita adapter. We’ll break this down into three main steps:

1. Formatting your microSD card
2. Physically installing the SD2Vita adapter
3. Configuring the software side of things

Formatting Your microSD Card

Before your microSD card can be used with the SD2Vita adapter, it needs to be formatted properly. Follow these steps:

1. Insert the microSD card into your computer using a USB adapter or built-in card reader.
2. Download the official SD Formatter tool from the SD Association website: https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/
3. Install and launch SD Formatter.
4. Select your microSD card from the drive menu.
5. Under “Format Options”, select “Quick Format”.
6. Leave “Volume Label” blank.
7. Click “Format” to start the process. This will erase the card and set it up for use with SD2Vita.

Once the formatting process is complete, leave the microSD card inserted in your computer for now.

Installing the Adapter

With your microSD card ready to go, it’s time to physically install the SD2Vita adapter in your PS Vita. Here’s how:

1. Power off your PS Vita completely.
2. Locate the game card slot on the top of the unit. Open the protective cover.
3. Remove any game card that may already be inserted.
4. Insert your formatted microSD card into the SD2Vita adapter. The metal contacts should be facing up when the adapter is oriented with the text facing you. Make sure the card is fully seated in the adapter.
5. Insert the SD2Vita adapter into the game card slot. It should slide in easily. The adapter will stick out slightly since it is larger than a standard game card.
6. Close the game card slot cover. It should sit flush with the adapter. If you’re using a V1 adapter, it may protrude a bit.

Your SD2Vita adapter is now physically installed in your PS Vita. You did it! But we’re not done yet – there are a few software setup steps remaining.

Configuring SD2Vita

With the SD2Vita adapter installed, it’s time to configure the software side of things so your PS Vita knows to use the microSD card as its storage device.

First, make sure you have all the necessary software components:
– Custom firmware (Henkaku/Enso for 3.60 or h-encore for 3.65+)
– VitaShell installed
– The gamesd.skprx plugin
– The storage_config.txt file

We won’t go over the custom firmware installation process here as it is beyond the scope of this guide. Refer to the online resources for whichever CFW you are using for instructions on getting it set up.

Assuming you have CFW and VitaShell installed, follow these steps:

1. Download gamesd.skprx and storage_config.txt from here.
2. Connect your PS Vita to your computer with a USB cable.
3. Open VitaShell on your PS Vita and press SELECT to enable USB transfer mode.
4. On your computer, copy gamesd.skprx to the ux0:tai/ folder on your PS Vita.
5. Still on your computer, copy storage_config.txt to the ux0:tai/ folder as well. Open this file in a text editor.
6. Find the line that says GCD=ux0 and change it to UMA=ux0. Save the file.
7. Disconnect your PS Vita from your computer and close the USB connection in VitaShell.
8. Press CIRCLE on your PS Vita to go up to the ux0: directory in VitaShell.
9. Press TRIANGLE and select “Format ux0”. Press X to confirm. This will format your SD2Vita microSD card for use.
10. Go back to the ux0:tai/ folder and open config.txt in VitaShell’s text editor (press X on it).
11. Add the following line to the file under the *KERNEL section:
    ur0:tai/gamesd.skprx
12. Save the file and exit the text editor.
13. Reboot your PS Vita.

If everything was configured properly, your PS Vita will now be using the SD2Vita microSD card as its primary storage device! You can verify this by going into the Settings app and looking at the storage information. The total capacity should match your microSD card size.

Troubleshooting

If you’re having trouble getting SD2Vita set up, here are a few things to check:

• Make sure you’re using a compatible microSD card. Some off-brand cards may not work properly. Stick to reputable brands like SanDisk, Samsung, or Lexar.
• Double check that your microSD card is formatted properly using the SD Formatter tool.
• Verify that the SD2Vita adapter is fully inserted in the game card slot.
• Check that gamesd.skprx and storage_config.txt are in the correct location with the proper configuration.
• Confirm that the gamesd.skprx line was added to the *KERNEL section of config.txt.
• Try a different microSD card to rule out a faulty card.

If you’re still having issues after going through these steps, seek assistance on the Vita hacking subreddit or GBAtemp forums.

Frequently Asked Questions

To wrap things up, here are answers to some frequently asked questions about SD2Vita:

What size microSD card should I use?

We recommend going with at least a 64GB card. This will give you plenty of room for a large Vita game library. If you have a lot of digital games or plan on storing media on your Vita, consider going with 128GB or 256GB.

Can I use multiple microSD cards with one SD2Vita adapter?

Yes, you can use multiple cards with one adapter. You’ll just need to set up each card individually following the formatting and configuration steps outlined earlier. Only one card can be used at a time though.

Do I still need a memory card if I’m using SD2Vita?

After you have SD2Vita set up, you will no longer need the Sony memory card. All storage duties are handed off to the microSD card. However, you do need a Sony memory card for the initial SD2Vita setup.

Can I go back to using a memory card after setting up SD2Vita?

Yes, you can go back if you want. Just remove the SD2Vita adapter and pop your Sony memory card back in. You’ll need to reinstall the gamesd.skprx plugin to use the Sony card again.

Is SD2Vita compatible with all PS Vita models?

All versions of SD2Vita except the V5 work with both PS Vita 1000 and 2000 models. The V5 is only designed for the 1000. In general, we recommend the V3 adapter for all models. The PS Vita TV is not compatible with SD2Vita.

Hopefully this guide has helped you get up and running with SD2Vita on your PS Vita! Enjoy the extra storage space and flexibility that this awesome adapter provides. Happy gaming!