Hidden Features of PlayStation 5: Tips You Need to Know
The PlayStation 5 offers a top-tier gaming experience, packed with a variety of innovative features. To truly unlock its full potential, there are a few tips that can make your experience even better. Here are 20 tips and features to help you get the most out of your PS5!
1. Learn How to Turn Off the PS5
This may seem like a simple task, but turning off the PS5 can be a bit more complicated than you might think. Unlike the PS4, where you could hold down the PlayStation button, on the PS5, you just need to press it once. A menu will appear at the bottom of the screen, and you'll find the power icon on the right. The menu scrolls, so it might be quicker to go left.
You can also press the physical power button on the console itself. If your console is vertical, it’s at the bottom; if horizontal, it’s on the left side.
2. Transfer Files and Games from PS4
If you’re upgrading from a PS4 to a PS5, you might want to transfer your games, settings, and other files to the new console. This option is presented during setup, but if you skipped it, you can still do it later. It’s a good idea to place both consoles side by side and connect them with an Ethernet cable (Wi-Fi works too, but it will take longer).
When ready, go to Settings > System > System Software on the PS5. Select Data Transfer, hit Continue, and choose your PS4. When the “Prepare for Data Transfer” screen appears, hold the power button on your PS4 until it beeps. Then, select the files you want to transfer and click Start Transfer.
3. See How Much Time You’ve Spent in a Game
It's now easy to see how much time you've spent playing PlayStation games. On the PS5 home screen, click on your avatar in the top right and select Profile, then switch to the Games tab. You’ll see your total playtime and trophy progress next to each game.
4. Ensure You’re Playing the PS5 Version of a Game
It’s great that PS4 games can be played on PS5, but it can sometimes cause confusion. Some older games may have been updated for PS5, so make sure you're playing the enhanced version for the best experience. Pay close attention to the game title on the home screen. The PS4 version is indicated by a PS4 label next to it. You can also go to the Game Library, select Sort and Filter on the left, and filter your games by platform.
5. Customize Your Controller Settings
The PS5’s DualSense controller is a significant upgrade from the PS4’s DualShock 4. The adaptive triggers and haptic feedback make you feel more immersed in the game, dynamically responding to the on-screen action. While the default settings are usually fine, if you want to reduce the vibration intensity or trigger effects, go to Settings > Accessories > Controllers. Also, if you’re playing PS4 games on your PS5, you can use your old DualShock 4 controllers, and reduce the brightness of the indicator lights here.
6. Dive Deeper with 3D Audio
One of the standout features of the PS5 is 3D Audio, which allows game developers to add sound effects all around you, making you feel truly immersed in the environment. To use this feature, you need to wear headphones or earbuds. 3D Audio is enabled by default, so plug your headphones into the controller and you'll notice the difference immediately. However, to calibrate it for your ears, go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output. Select Adjust 3D Audio Profile under Enable 3D Audio, and choose the level that works best for you from the five options.
7. Play Astro’s Playroom, Then Delete It
Every PS5 comes preloaded with Astro’s Playroom, and you should definitely give it a try. This fun 3D platformer is packed with references to PlayStation’s history, and it provides a great showcase for what the new DualSense controller can do. But once you’ve finished it, you can free up nearly 11 GB of storage space by going to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps. Don’t worry, you can always download it again from the PlayStation Store for free.
8. Expand Your Storage
The PS5 has a faster SSD compared to the PS4. However, with only 667 GB of usable storage, you might quickly fill up the space if you play a lot of different games. Sony has included an internal expansion slot that allows you to add an approved M.2 SSD. Check out our guide on how to install additional internal storage in your PS5. You can also plug in a USB 3.0 or higher external SSD or HDD into your PS5. However, you can only store and play PS4 games from this external drive.
9. Set Up Game Preferences
You can save time by setting up your game preferences. Go to Settings > Saved Data > Game/App Settings > Game Presets. From here, you can choose your preferred game difficulty, select between performance and graphics quality, and adjust camera movements for both first-person and third-person views. You can also choose inverted control settings by default.
10. Save Power
Sometimes, you might leave your console on in the middle of a game. To prevent energy waste or to conserve your controller's battery, go to Settings > System > Power Saving. You can decide how long your PS5 should wait before entering Rest Mode and set your controllers to turn off after a period of inactivity. If you want to turn off a controller without shutting down the console, just hold the PS button on your controller for 10 seconds.
11. Capture and Save Screenshots and Videos (or Not)
Sony has integrated options for capturing and sharing screenshots and videos while gaming. Just press the Create button on the left side of the controller. By default, holding down the button takes a screenshot, but you can change this in Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Captures.
Additionally, the PS5 automatically records a video and takes a screenshot every time you earn a trophy. I noticed that I had over 3 GB of this content in my Media Gallery. To change or disable this, go to Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Trophies.
12. Set Up Remote Play
You’ll likely want to set up your PS5 in the living room on the big TV, but that can cause tension when guests are over or the kids want to play. Remote Play is your solution. You can enable this feature by going to Settings > System > Remote Play. This allows you to stream the action from your PS5 to a PS4, a PC, a Mac, or even a smartphone. You don't have to be on the same Wi-Fi network either. Just launch the app on your PS4 or download the desktop app, connect to your PS5, and start playing from anywhere.
13. Turn Off the PS5 from Your TV
This might be the smallest but most useful feature on this list. If you enable HDMI Device Link, you can turn off your PS5 by turning off your TV. You can also set your PS5 to turn on automatically when you turn on your TV. To enable these features, go to Settings > System > HDMI > Enable HDMI Device Link. You can also link your console to other devices via the HDMI connection.
14. Complete a Task Quickly with Activities
Every gamer has different play styles. Some aim for 100% completion, while others focus only on the main story. The PS5’s Activities feature allows you to quickly access and complete tasks within a game. It lets you jump into a specific mission or level without having to start from the beginning, saving you time. When you select a task from the quick pop-up menu, you’ll also see an estimated completion time.
15. DualSense Controller with a Red Light
The light bar on the DualSense controller isn’t just a cool visual feature; it’s functional too. If only one controller is connected to your console, the light will be blue. If you’re playing with a friend, your controller will remain blue while the other person’s controller turns red.
The light’s color also changes depending on your in-game status. For example, if your health is low in a game, it may turn red.
16. Play on PS5 in Invisible Mode
If you don’t want your friends to know that you’re playing on the PS5, there’s a way to play offline. When you turn on your PS5, press the PS button on your controller and select your profile avatar in the Quick Menu. Choose Online Status, then select Appear Offline. You can also customize your profile via Settings > Users and Accounts > Privacy > Online Status and Friends. Even when you’re offline, you can still play games and earn trophies. However, remember that you can’t share your trophies while offline.
17. Pause Games Instead of Quitting
If you play multiple games, the PS5’s “Pause” feature allows you to quickly switch between games without quitting them entirely. You can pause a game, start another, and then return to the first one right where you left off. This is especially useful for games with long loading times or when you want to keep your progress in one game while trying out another.
18. Customize the PS5 Interface
Customizing your PS5 home screen makes your frequently played games and apps more accessible. Pin your most-used games to the home screen or remove unnecessary apps to streamline your gaming experience. Additionally, you can select themes from Settings > Theme Settings, or create your own.
19. Avoid Big Updates for Small Games
When updating PS5 games, you might want to avoid large updates, especially for smaller games. You can turn off automatic game updates in Settings > System > Software Updates. This way, you can choose to update only essential games and save bandwidth for other activities.
20. Edit and Share Your Game Clips
The PS5 makes it easy to edit and share your game clips and screenshots. You can edit your clips in the Media Gallery and share them on your social media accounts or with friends. The PS5’s video editing tools also let you add text, filters, and music to your videos, making it easier to share your gaming experiences creatively and enjoyably.
In conclusion, the PlayStation 5 offers a plethora of features that elevate the gaming experience to a whole new level. These tips will help you make the most of your powerful console. Remember, you can personalize and enhance your gaming experience by utilizing these features.
Nur Oğuz