Let’s face it: you have owned a big, hulking, expensive piece of tech for long enough that you assume you already know everything about it. If you’ve been playing on your PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 5 Pro for for months or years now, you probably think you’ve mastered the console by now. However, there are likely horizons on your PS5 that you’ve still unexplored.
You may be a constantly online PS5 mainliner, but did you know there are ways to connect to your Discord friends while playing on your Sony console? How about the fact you can control your console with your voice by shouting “Hey PlayStation” at your controller? If you own a PS5 Pro, there are some settings you have access to that regular PS5 owners don’t. If you want to get the most out of your console, you should try enabling PS4 enhancements and a host of new settings in several enhanced games.
We’ve tried to list the best tips and tricks for playing games, sharing screenshots and videos, organizing games, and even cleaning out your console.
Get Better FPS on PS5 Pro, or Upgrade the Visuals for Some Games
Many of the most recent or popular PS5 games received upgrades to PS5 Pro Enhanced. This was unevenly applied to more than 100 games, but some titles now have specific settings that let you hunt for better visuals or at least gain 60 FPS without decreasing quality. Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 is a good example of a game that offers more Pro-level options. The “Fidelity Pro” mode under the in-game “Visual” tab lets you add ray tracing reflections and shadows, but it also allows you to uncap the VRR (variable refresh rate). Other games like Horizon Forbidden West change their settings to “Favor Resolution Pro,” “Favor Performance Pro,” or “Balanced Pro.” The first will target 30 FPS with a maxed 4K resolution, while the others will aim for 60 FPS. You have to look through your games and try out what you’re most comfortable with, but it’s usually a choice between better graphics at 30 or 40 FPS or better performance at 60 FPS.
Make Non-PS5 Pro Enhanced Games Run Better
Though there’s no setting for any game without the “Enhanced” label, some games benefit from the PS5 Pro’s new hardware. One of the most oft-cited examples is Elden Ring, which runs better on every graphics setting, even though you still can’t target 60 FPS at 4K. Gamers also noted that Devil May Cry 5, with ray tracing enabled, is a better experience overall, thanks to the updated GPU on the Pro. That being said, some games barely benefit. Gizmodo tested games like Deathloop, which, with or without ray tracing enabled, did not increase performance to any discernible degree.
Enhance Some PlayStation 4 Games on PS5 Pro
This is one of those tips that most users may have heard of, but some players assume their PS4 games are already getting enhanced. You have to turn on a specific setting to get it working. Hit the gear icon at the top of the home page to access the Settings page. Then, scroll down to Screen and Video and find the option for Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games. Most games probably won’t see any major improvements in visual quality and performance. PlayStation even advises you to turn off the settings if you start to see any issues when playing your older PlayStation titles. Games like Dark Souls 3 with uncapped framerates benefit most from this feature.
Enable “Experimental” 8K Mode on PlayStation 5 Pro
Before I start, there’s very, very little reason why anyone should want an 8K TV. They’re more expensive than any 4K TV you can buy today, and there are very, very few examples of content that actively supports it. The PlayStation 5 originally claimed it could do 8K, but now on PS5 Pro 8K is “experimental.” However, if you have one of those TVs and a copy of Grand Turismo 7, F1 24, or No Man’s Sky, you can technically run them at a higher resolution. To enable it, you need to go into Settings, then down to Screen and Video, and select the Allow 8K Output option. Gizmodo has been unable to test this feature since we don’t have access to an 8K TV, but it’s there if you want.
Search for PS5 Pro Enhanced Games
Nobody enjoys surfing through text lists for every game Sony cites that is fully “PS5 Pro Enhanced.” However, if you want to see which games may make more use of the PlayStation 5 Pro’s GPU upgrade, there’s an easy-to-peruse tile set on the PlayStation store. If you go to the store tab, then scroll down until you get the “See more” tab, you’ll find a bod for PS5 Pro Enhanced Games. The good thing about this is that it doesn’t just show all the current games with the Enhanced label but any future games available for preorder, which are confirmed for these features.
Automatically Download All Game Updates in Rest Mode
This is one of the first things you should change on your PS5 if you regularly get annoyed that you need to download updates every time you log back in. First, navigate to Settings via the gear icon on the main menu, then choose System, System Software, and finally, System Software Update and Settings. After that, toggle on Download Update Files Automatically and Install Update Files Automatically. This will allow your console to update even when the console is in rest mode, which is a great way to save time after returning from a long stint away from your PlayStation.
Remote Play Your PS5 from the PlayStation App
Remember the PlayStation Portal? Its big claim to fame is being a remote player-only device for using your PS5 over Wi-Fi. However, any phone or PC can also act as your PlayStation remote player without fuss.
To set up remote play on the PlayStation, you’ll first need to enable it. Go to settings, then System, and find the toggle under Remote Play.
You can download the app from PlayStation’s website on a Mac or PC. For mobile devices, you need to download the PS Remote Play app from either the Play Store or the Apple App Store. You can also find this easily using the regular PlayStation app. After that, you must sign into your PSN account and link your PS5 to your device.
This will give you a direct stream of your PS5. It also brings up mobile phone controls if you want to use your PlayStation with a touchscreen. The better option is pairing your phone or device to a DualSense controller or looking for other mobile controller options like the Backbone One.
Share All Your PS5 Content to Your Phone
You’ll need the official PlayStation app to share all your clips and screenshots outside your PlayStation. If you want to share gameplay clips, you’ll need to enable sharing from the PS5 to your phone in the app. To do this, go to the Game Library section of the app, select Captures, and then hit Enable. Anything you took before you enabled that connection won’t automatically share over, though you can also go into the Media Gallery. Check the next slide for more information on how to do that.
If you’re uploading large clips, you’ll also want to make sure the console is connected to the internet over Rest Mode. To do this, go to Settings via the little gear icon on the home screen. Then scroll down to Power Saving and open Features Available in Rest Mode. Then toggle on Stay Connected to the Internet.
Edit Your PS5 Gameplay Videos
Sony’s Share Factory app has been around for a while, but if you’ve never thought to open it up, you’d be surprised how many tools and features are available to let you do a few simple edits for the clips and screenshots you take in-game. There are a few default “Creator Packs” with a handful of graphics to intersperse among your clips. There’s also the Bits editor for creating a few bite-sized clips to upload to TikTok or YouTube Shorts.
Now, Share Factory and the PS5 let you upload to YouTube directly from the console once you link your account. However, if you want to upload the files elsewhere, you’ll need to upload them to the PlayStation app. First, go to the Media Gallery, then hit the button on the right to select multiple. From there, select the clips you want to upload, then go down to the three dots on the right and hit the button to upload to the PlayStation App. You can also copy it to an external USB drive from this menu.
Record PS5 Gameplay After You’ve Already Done it
Okay, you likely already knew about the screenshotting feature if you accidentally clicked the Share button to the left of the touch panel. However, the feature is actually quite intuitive and handy for capturing in-game content. This is mostly due to how the PS5 captures content automatically for you, then lets you record it after you did something that makes you scream, “That was cool. Goddamit, why didn’t I record that?”
Hit the Share button, then select Save Recent Gameplay on the left. This will let you record everything you did for up to 30 minutes.
Connect to Friends on Discord While on PS5
You don’t have to talk with your Discord friends on a separate device while you’re mucking through a cross-play session of Helldivers 2. You have to do a bit of waddling before you get there. First, log in to your PlayStation account, and under Linked Services, select Discord. Sign in to your Discord account, and you’ll be ready.
Then, when you’re about to join a Discord voice chat on a separate device, swipe up on the bottom bar and choose the option to Join on PlayStation. From there, you’ll get a notification that you’re now on Discord from the PlayStation, and if you hit the PS button on the controller, you can see which chats you’re currently in and leave the chat.
Play Music with Either Spotify or Apple Music on PS5
Most PS5 owners won’t stray from the main “Games” tab on the PS5 main screen but go up and select the “Media” tab to open up a whole range of side apps you can access on Sony’s mainline console. Here, you can download various streaming apps, but most importantly, there are options to download the two biggest music apps right now easily: Spotify and Apple Music.
You can link both to your PlayStation 5, but even better, you can quickly access each app while doing anything else with your PS5. If you want to listen to your favorite Rob Zombie track while culling bugs in Helldivers 2, you absolutely can. It won’t automatically lower the in-game music, so you’ll have to manually set it unless you want to hear the occasional weird distortion. Some titles, such as Resident Evil Village, also restrict you from playing from your Spotify or Apple Music in-game.
Give You Tips When You’re Stuck In PS5 Games, Sometimes, for Some Games
PlayStation’s Game Help is a feature exclusive to PlayStation Plus members, though no matter if you’re on Essential, Extra, or Premium subscriptions, you should see these hints come up in some select titles. You can access PlayStation from the console when you hit the PS button or from the PlayStation App, but it essentially shows a video of different game sections where players often get stuck. For example, in God of War: Ragnarok, there are walkthrough videos for different bosses and puzzles throughout the game. However, this is only really available for a few select titles. Star Wars: Jedi Survivor is the perfect kind of game to have a hints section, but there’s none available for it despite it being out for nearly a year.
Sony is upgrading the feature with Community Game Help, allowing players to upload videos showing how they get through games to help their fellow gamers. We’ll see if this feature makes these game-help tips more widely available.
Help You Avoid Spoilers from Other Players or Friends
Are you one of those folks that gets incensed over spoilers? This feature could be a big help. If you go into Settings, Saved Data, and Game/App Settings, then go down to Spoiler Warnings, the PS5 will automatically detect how far you are in each game and will warn you if you’re about to see content from friends or other players that will spoil the surprise.
Control Your PS5 Console with Your Voice
This is one of the crazier ways to use your PS5, and while it might seem a novelty to some, for others with accessibility needs, it could be a major boon. It’s currently only available in English in the UK, but you should see the option in Settings under Voice Command (Preview) if you have access. After enabling it, you can do a Siri-like “Hey PlayStation” to control the console and set it to give you more time to say your command. It’s surprisingly fast and responsive even with the default microphone on the Dual Sense controller.
Swap Out Your Console’s Covers
Those giant fins on the side of your PlayStation 5 console are indeed just for show, but there are likely a few owners who don’t know they are completely removable and replaceable. It’s the same story for both the first-gen PS5 and the slimmer PS5. First, to remove the panel covers, grip the corner closest to the PlayStation logo and pull up and down toward the bottom of the console. The same goes for the other panel. You might need to apply a small amount of force, but it should pop out.
To replace it, slide it on from the bottom and snap it into place. You can buy aftermarket panels from DBrand or PlayStation. We have tried out a few of the latest colorways, and you can get some interesting mixes and matches going on the slim PlayStation 5. Note that PS5 Pro consoles won’t work with all the various PS5 slim covers. The bottom portions will work, but any top fin covers don’t align correctly. Yes, this was a strange decision on Sony’s part, but you’re better off waiting to buy PS5 Pro-specific covers.
Remove Dust in Easy-to-Access Compartments
With your panel cover off, you can access one of the most hidden features that makes cleaning a PS5 of dust extra easy. There are a few channels where the PS5 fans blow dust, collecting in two small pockets, as shown in the picture. To remove the dust, vacuum it from the top. This is also the first step you need to take to access the inside of the PS5 to upgrade its SSD.
Get the Perfect 3D Audio Setup
The secret to amazing audio with headphones on PS5 is the 3D Audio setting. It’s not enabled by default, but if you have a supporting pair of headphones like the PlayStation Pulse Elite headset, you can choose between several different 3D audio profiles. Go into Settings, then choose Sound and scroll down to 3D Audio for either your TV speakers or headphones. After that, you can enable 3D audio and adjust the height of the sound so it goes closest to your ear level. You can also set it to a different right or left speaker profile.
Organize Your Games in Handy Lists
Do you have too many games on your PlayStation, and it’s just a pain to find them all? There’s a pretty easy way of organizing them all, including games not currently installed. First, navigate to Game Library on the main PlayStation screen, then to Your Collection on the top bar. You’ll see a small column of icons on the left, and choose the third option that looks like a folder with a plus symbol. From there, select which games you want to include on the list, then name whatever you want and order it based on name, purchase date, or date added.
Allow Your Family or Roommates to Play Your Games on Their Accounts
Game Sharing has existed since the beginning of the PS5, but despite its utility, it’s still a widely misunderstood and little-used feature. It essentially gives any user on the PS5 access to all your games, including your PlayStation Plus titles, even when your console is no longer online. First, go to Settings, then to Users and Accounts. You should see the Console Sharing and Offline Play icons in the Other panel. Select it and enable the feature.
Make Your Control Center Worthwhile and Allow Quick Access to Accessibility Settings
Suppose you’re tired of seeing widgets and apps control center (the screen that pulls up when you hit the PlayStation button on the controller) that you never actually use. In that case, there’s an option to change it so you can access music or accessibility options and finally ignore the icon for the Game Bar.
When you’re in the Control Center, hit the options button. This will let you change out different settings options you want to see on the game bar. If you don’t want to see that Game Base logo, put it under Hidden Controls. If you want accessibility options front and center, move that up. The quick Accessibility options include inverting colors, bolding text, increasing text size, and enabling the screen reader by default. These will only work in the PlayStation menus, so you must check those settings for each game individually.
Map Your Controller Buttons and Change Vibration Intensity Across All PS5 Games
There are a few accessibility options hidden deep within PlayStation’s menus that make reassigning buttons a breeze. First, go to Settings by pressing the gear icon on the top bar in the main menu. Then go to Accessories, Controller, and scroll down to Accessibility. From there, you can set Custom Button Assignments on a DualSense controller, allowing you to say your left D-Pad button is the left trigger, and so on.
This same screen will allow you to set the haptics on your controller. You can modify the vibration intensity and the level of force applied to DualSense’s haptic triggers.
Set Base PS5 Presets for Every Game You Play
As with controller mapping, there’s an easy way to make sure every title will have subtitles or will automatically apply your preferred difficulty from the start. First, go into Settings, then Accessories, and Game Presets. You can start each new game from here by selecting your preferred setting. This includes preferring first-person or third-person views in games that support both. You can also set it so that in online multiplayer games, only friends can join your party by default, hopefully reducing the number of times you start a co-op game when a rando unexpectedly joins the party.
