PS5 standby mode and what you can do in PS5 Rest Mode explained

PS5 standby mode, which is officially known as PS5 Rest Mode, is an optional state you can put your console into when you're not using it, This basically shuts down many of the functions and puts your PlayStation 5 to sleep, but keeps certain processes running in the background at reduced power, meaning you can still download games, system updates, and charge your controller. This halfway house between on and off uses considerably less power, so here are all of the benefits of entering PS5 standby or Rest Mode over just turning it off.

1. Keep your controller charged

DualSense PS5 controller — (Image credit: Future)

One of the great benefits of remembering to plug your pad back in before you let your PS5 drift off to sleep is that in rest mode, your PS5 will still supply power to your USB ports. You can adjust the length of time that the USB ports remain powered for in:
Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode

The options are 'Always', 'Three Hours', or 'Off'. Three hours will be plenty to keep your pad topped up, but if you want to make sure it's always fully charged when you come back to it, opt for the Always option. If you have any problems with this, then see our separate guide on why isn't my PS5 controller charging?

2. Updating games behind the scenes

One of the things that has always driven me up the wall with modern gaming is that there's almost always a patch to download before you can play anything. However, like the PS4 before it, the PS5 can automatically download and install game updates and other content while it's in rest mode. That means you should always be able to jump straight into your games the moment you turn your PS5 on, as it's been beavering away in the background. Of course, having top tier Wi-Fi connectivity will also help.

3. Uploading saves to the cloud

If you're a PlayStation Plus subscriber, there's another benefit of opting for PS5 standby mode - cloud saves. Whilst in rest mode, your PS5 will diligently upload any new save files to your PSN Cloud Storage (for both PS4 and PS5 games I might add), meaning you're safe if anything should happen to your locally-stored save or - heaven's forbid - your shiny new PS5. It's another feature that's carried forward from the PS4, but always good to know it's there.

4. Install games remotely

Enhance your gaming experiences on PS4 and PS5 with the newly redesigned PlayStation App: https://t.co/PkutMmuGSV pic.twitter.com/uXTH1G07yWOctober 28, 2020

If you are opting to always leave your new console in PS5 rest mode, make sure to head into the settings to ensure 'Enable Turning On PS5 from Network' is switched on. You'll find it in the following menu:

Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode > Enable Turning On PS5 from Network

That way, if you get a digital game code or buy something from the PlayStation Store via the App, your PS5 still start downloading it straight away while in rest mode. Hopefully, that'll mean it's ready to start playing the moment you're reunited with your PS5.

5. Keep your PS5 game suspended

Ghost of Yotei — (Image credit: PlayStation)

Of course, a lot of the benefits of PS5 rest mode are just gaming housekeeping, but there's also a tangible perk to keeping your console only half-asleep: keeping your game suspended. While the PS5 doesn't quite have the Quick Resume functionality of the Xbox Series X, it can keep your game suspended in rest mode, allowing you to jump straight back in where you left off when you boot up your PS5.

6. Play PS5 games remotely

PS5 Remote Play App — (Image credit: Sony)

If you were so inclined, you can also access your PS5 remotely, via the conveniently named feature PS5 Remote Play.

"We’re updating PS4’s Remote Play feature," says Sony. "Now, in addition to being able to access your PS4 from a PC or a mobile device, your PS4 can access other consoles via Remote Play too, right on your TV. This includes the ability to connect to your PS5 and stream a PS5 game to your PS4 so you can play it there."

So go on, give your PS4 a little more shelf-life with the PS5 Remote Play feature.

7. Ultimately save some power

Now of course, leaving your PS5 in standby mode is going to consume more energy than turning it off entirely, but it's way more energy-efficient than the PS4 ever was.

"I am also very pleased to announce the next-generation PlayStation console will include the possibility to suspend gameplay with much lower power consumption than PS4 (which we estimate can be achieved at around 0.5 W)," explained Sony Entertainment CEO, Jim Ryan in a PlayStation Blog post at the end of 2019. "If just one million users enable this feature, it would save equivalent to the average electricity use of 1,000 US homes."

According to a report published by the National Resources Defense Council back in 2014, the PS4 and Xbox One both draw massive amounts of power in standby – the PS4 8.5 watts, and the Xbox One 15.7W.

The PS5 drawing 0.5W of power compared to the PS4's 8.5W is certainly quite the energy saving.

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Sam Loveridge is the Brand Director and former Global Editor-in-Chief of GamesRadar. She joined the team in August 2017. Sam came to GamesRadar after working at TrustedReviews, Digital Spy, and Fandom, following the completion of an MA in Journalism. In her time, she's also had appearances on The Guardian, BBC, and more. Her experience has seen her cover console and PC games, along with gaming hardware, for a decade, and for GamesRadar, she's in charge of the site's overall direction, managing the team, and making sure it's the best it can be. Her gaming passions lie with weird simulation games, big open-world RPGs, and beautifully crafted indies. She plays across all platforms, and specializes in titles like Pokemon, Assassin's Creed, The Sims, and more. Basically, she loves all games that aren't sports or fighting titles! In her spare time, Sam likes to live like Stardew Valley by cooking and baking, growing vegetables, and enjoying life in the countryside.

With contributions from

Iain Wilson Guides Editor