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To get PS Remote Play working, enable it on your PS5 or PS4, sign in to the app with the same PlayStation account as the console, and test the connection on your home network first. If you want to connect while away, also enable the console’s Rest Mode network and wake settings. PlayStation lists 5 Mbps upload and download as the minimum connection speed and recommends 15 Mbps or more for a better experience; meeting those figures does not guarantee a stable stream.
Before you start
- A PS5 or PS4: Update its system software and make sure it can connect to the internet.
- A supported client: The PS Remote Play app is available for supported Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones and iPads, and Android phones and tablets. PlayStation also lists some Android TV devices. PlayStation Portal is an optional dedicated device for PS5 Remote Play, not a requirement. Check PlayStation’s compatibility and connection requirements for your device.
- The same PlayStation account: Use the account signed in on the console.
- A way to control games: Depending on the device and operating-system version, you may use touch controls or a compatible DualSense, DualSense Edge, or DUALSHOCK 4 controller. PC and Mac instructions specify connecting the controller by USB.
- A usable connection: PlayStation’s minimum is 5 Mbps upload and download; 15 Mbps or more is recommended for a better experience. Speed is only part of the picture: latency, packet loss, Wi-Fi interference, and network restrictions can still cause problems.
Remote Play may not support games that require PS VR, PS VR2, PlayStation Camera, or other unsupported peripherals. Touch controls are also not a practical substitute for a physical controller in every game.
Enable Remote Play on the console
On PS5
- From the home screen, open Settings > System > Remote Play.
- Turn on Enable Remote Play.
To connect to a PS5 that is in Rest Mode, open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
On PS4
- Open Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and turn on Enable Remote Play.
- Open Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 and select Activate. This is a PS4-specific requirement; only one PS4 can be the primary PS4 for an account.
To connect to a PS4 in Rest Mode, open Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode and turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS4 from Network.
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- Heighten Your Senses. Discover Deeper, highly immersive gaming experiences.
- Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback
- Chat online through the built-in microphone or connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack
- Play on more devices Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth wireless technology so you can easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range titles
Menu wording can vary slightly by system software version or language. See PlayStation’s Remote Play settings and pairing instructions if a label differs.
Install the app and connect at home first
Using your home network for the first connection makes it easier to distinguish a setup problem from a problem with an outside network.
- Install the official PS Remote Play app on your phone, tablet, PC, or Mac. On PC or Mac, check the current system requirements and controller instructions.
- Turn on the console, or leave it in Rest Mode with the network options above enabled.
- Open the app, select Sign In, and use the same PlayStation account as on the console.
- Select PS5 or PS4, then choose the console if more than one appears.
If the app cannot find the console automatically, put both devices on the same home network and pair them manually. On PS5, go to Settings > System > Remote Play > Pair Device. On PS4, go to Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Add Device. Enter the number shown on the console in the app. The pairing code is generated on the console, so do this while the client and console are on the same network.
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- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Once you can play locally, test again on a different network. If that second test fails, the console and app setup are more likely to be correct; focus on the home or remote network.
Connect while away from home
Remote Play can connect over another broadband or mobile-data network. Before leaving home, confirm that local Remote Play works, leave the console on or in Rest Mode, and make sure Rest Mode internet access and network wake-up are enabled. The app can then try to connect using the same PlayStation account.
The home connection’s upload speed matters because the console sends the game video out to your device. Check both upload and download rather than relying on the phone’s download result alone. Mobile data counts against your plan, and carrier congestion or network restrictions can make a connection unreliable even when the console is configured correctly.
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- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
Troubleshoot by symptom
The app cannot find the console
- Check that the app and console are using the same PlayStation account.
- Verify that Enable Remote Play is on and, if the console is in Rest Mode, that its internet and network-wake options are enabled.
- Update the console, then restart the console and client device.
- Confirm the client device has working internet and test with both devices on the same home network.
- Try manual pairing using the console’s Pair Device or Add Device menu.
- After local play works, try from another network to isolate an outside-network issue.
The app will not sign in
Check the PlayStation Network credentials and make sure you are signing into the account used on the console. Update or restart the app and device. A VPN, filtered network, or captive portal may also interfere with sign-in; if possible, try a different network. Creating a second account is not a fix for an account mismatch, because Remote Play setup calls for the same account.
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The console will not wake from Rest Mode
Confirm that Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network or Enable Turning on PS4 from Network are enabled. Check that the console was left in Rest Mode rather than fully powered off and has not lost power or internet access. Also check that the app is signed into the correct account and that the home router is online.
It works at home but not away
This pattern points toward the home router or remote network rather than basic console setup. Possible causes include weak home upload, restrictive NAT, router firewall rules, guest-network isolation, a VPN, a captive portal, or mobile-carrier restrictions. Hotel, school, office, and public Wi-Fi networks may block traffic or require browser sign-in. If Remote Play works on one outside network but not another, the failing network may be the limitation.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
PlayStation identifies UDP port 8572 as relevant to Remote Play and warns that NAT Type 3 may prevent it from working. Port forwarding is an advanced step, not a universal fix: it may not help with carrier-grade NAT, double NAT, or a restrictive network. First confirm the console settings, account, local connection, and network stability. If you consider changing router settings, consult your ISP or router manufacturer if you are unsure.
It connects, but the picture is blurry, laggy, or keeps dropping
- Connect the console to the router by Ethernet if possible.
- Use 5 GHz Wi-Fi for the client when it has a strong signal; 2.4 GHz may reach farther through walls but can be more congested.
- Move closer to the router and stop downloads or other heavy network activity.
- Check the home connection’s upload speed as well as the client’s download speed.
- Reduce Remote Play resolution or frame-rate settings if available in your app, then test again.
- Avoid congested public Wi-Fi or an unstable mobile connection.
PlayStation recommends 5 GHz Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet where possible. Neither a fast speed-test result nor a new router guarantees smooth play: latency, interference, packet loss, and congestion also matter.
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Confirm that the controller is supported by the particular device and operating-system version, and check whether it is paired to another device. On PC or Mac, follow PlayStation’s USB-controller instructions. On phones and tablets, controller support depends on the OS: PlayStation lists DUALSHOCK 4 support from iOS 14 and Android 10, and DualSense support from iOS 14.5 and Android 12. Android 9 and iOS 14 support touch controls. Check the current compatibility list for your device. The game itself may also require controls or peripherals that the client cannot provide.
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- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Do you need a PlayStation Portal or a new controller?
No. The free PS Remote Play app is the first thing to try on a supported device. A PlayStation Portal is an optional dedicated handheld for PS5 Remote Play; it requires a PS5 and will not fix a restricted network, weak home upload, sign-in problem, or console discovery failure. A compatible controller or phone-controller accessory can make mobile play more comfortable, but it will not improve the underlying internet connection. Diagnose the setup and network before buying hardware.
Quick checklist
- The console is updated and online.
- Remote Play is enabled.
- Rest Mode internet and network wake-up are enabled if you need to wake it remotely.
- On PS4, the console is activated as the account’s Primary PS4.
- The app is signed into the same PlayStation account.
- The app and controller are compatible with the client device.
- You have tested locally before troubleshooting an away-from-home connection.
- The home connection meets PlayStation’s minimum 5 Mbps upload and download, with 15 Mbps or more recommended.
- If only remote access fails, you have checked the remote network, NAT, Wi-Fi, and router restrictions.
For official step-by-step guidance, consult Remote Play overview, console settings and pairing, and connection troubleshooting.
Quick Recap
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