How to use PS5 remote play

(Image credit: Sony)

PS5 Remote Play is a feature that lets you play PS5 games on a range of different things - anything from your phone to a tablets, and even the PS4. It's a way of playing PS5... remotely, as the name suggests. Untethering you physically from the console, leaving little more than a need for an internet connection in its place. However, before you can start playing playing remotely, you have to make sure your PlayStation 5, and whatever you're planing to play on via PS5 Remote Play, are correctly set up.

Obviously one key thing you'll need to check is if the device you want to use for PS5 Remote Play has the PS Remote app installed. You’ll also need a strong, secure Internet connection - ideally with your PS5 and the device you want to remotely play games on sharing the same network – this way, you’ll reduce both network and controller lag as much as possible. It's a system that's best used at home to play PS5 games in other parts of the house but with a good connection you could play further away.

1. PS5 Remote Play will only work in certain scenarios

Both the PS5 and the PS4 support Remote Play, but it’s important to note that not all games are compatible. Certain titles, especially ones that require use of the PlayStation Camera or PSVR, may not support Remote Play at all, regardless of how good your connection is. Whether you want to use Remote Play on the PS5 or the PS4, the following conditions need to be meet:

Your PS5 or PS4 must be turned on or in rest mode to work. If your console is turned off at the wall, you can’t use Remote Play.
PS5 Remote Play can’t be used if you’re using features such as Share Play or Share Screen.
Remote Play also won’t work if you’re trying to watch a Blu-Ray or DVD on your PS5, attempting to use Spotify, or if you want to play a game in PSVR mode.

2. How to set up PS5 Remote Play

After you download the PS Remote Play app, you need to ensure your console’s settings support PS5 Remote Play. To enable Remote Play on PS5, go to ‘Settings’, select ‘System’, then select ‘Remote Play’, and finally choose ‘Enable Remote Play’ to switch the feature on.

Once the PS Remote Play app is downloaded on your device of choice, be it via Android or iOS, and the settings on your PS5 are set up correctly, it’s time to follow the app’s on-screen instructions.

When the app asks you to, choose your PS5 console from the list of available devices that appear on your Wi-Fi network, then wait until they connect. Note: you must be signed into the correct PlayStation Network account on your PS5 for Remote Play to pop up as a choice.

You may also have to enter an eight digit onscreen code on the Remote Play device of your choosing before you can connect to your PS5.

3. PS5 Remote Play technical restrictions

Remote Play can be found on the PS5 home screen, and it can be used to play any PS5 or PS4 game you own, providing your net connection is strong enough. From the home screen, you can select which console you want to stream Remote Play games from, be it your PS5 or PS4 – just bear in mind the console has to be in at least rest mode.

The default Remote Play screen lets you change the resolution from the PS5 you’re streaming from – be it 540p, 720p, or 1080p. From our experience, 1080p makes games look surprisingly good streamed on a modern tablet. Playing Ghost of Tsushima on a fifth generation iPad Pro, Sony’s samurai hit looks and feels lovely in motion via PS5 Remote Play.

4. How to pair a DualSense with your Remote Play device

Unless you want to play games via the PS Remote app using the default, fairly clunky onscreen controls, you should connect a DualSense controller to the device you’re using. The following steps will let you play PS5 Remote Play games with a PS5 controller on Android and iOS devices…

First, hold the PS home button and Create button on your DualSense until the trackpad’s light starts flashing blue.
On both Android and iOS, go to Settings, then tap on Bluetooth
For Android users, tap ‘Pair new device’.
If you’re trying to connect a DualSense to an iOS device, you’ll see the controller pop up on the list of ‘Other devices’.
Now simply tap on the DualSense and it should pair with your Remote Play device, letting you enjoy PS5 games remotely using Sony’s amazing controller.

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David has worked for Future under many guises, including for GamesRadar+ and the Official Xbox Magazine. He is currently the Google Stories Editor for GamesRadar and PC Gamer, which sees him making daily video Stories content for both websites. David also regularly writes features, guides, and reviews for both brands too.