For phone-based control, use Spotify Connect: install Spotify on the PS5, then choose the console in Spotify’s device picker on your phone. The PS5 streams the music; your phone is the remote, not a transmitter for all its system audio. For Apple Music, use the PS5 app. For local files, use a USB drive. PlayStation does not document the PS5 as a general Bluetooth audio receiver for phones.
Play Spotify from your phone with Spotify Connect
This is the clearest supported way to pick music on a phone and hear it through the PS5’s selected audio output. The PS5 needs to be online, Spotify must be installed on both devices, and both should be on the same Wi-Fi network. Availability can depend on your country and account.
Install and sign in on PS5
- From the PS5 Media home, open All Apps.
- Select Spotify, then choose Download.
- Open Spotify and sign in with your Spotify credentials, use Spotify Connect from your phone, or follow the console’s PIN sign-in option.
Spotify’s [PlayStation setup instructions](https://support.spotify.com/us/article/spotify-on-playstation/) describe console sign-in and phone control. Spotify’s [PS5 Connect page](https://connect.spotify.com/devices/playstation-5/) also explains device selection.
Choose the PS5 from your phone
- Open Spotify on your phone and start a song, album, playlist, or podcast.
- In the Now Playing view, tap the speaker or device icon.
- Select your PS5 from the device list.
- Use the phone to pause, resume, skip, browse, or choose another track.
If playback is still coming from the phone, reopen the device picker and select the PS5. Connect hands playback to the console; it does not mirror unrelated phone sounds.
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- Media playback controls - Quickly navigate media with built-in play/pause, fast forward and fast reverse buttons.
- Seamless console compatibility - Power on your PS5 console and navigate its menus directly with the remote for ultimate convenience.
- TV settings - Adjust the volume and power settings of compatible TVs with the built-in IR transmitter. PS5 system software update may be required.
If the PS5 does not appear in Spotify
Work through these checks in order:
- Confirm Spotify is installed, open, and signed in on the PS5.
- Make sure both devices are online and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A guest network or router isolation setting can prevent devices from finding one another.
- Temporarily disable a VPN, then close and reopen Spotify on both devices.
- Start playback on the phone before opening the device list, and check that you are selecting the intended PS5 and Spotify account.
- Update Spotify and PS5 system software, then restart both devices.
Spotify’s [PS5 Connect guidance](https://connect.spotify.com/devices/playstation-5/) recommends checking device compatibility and network connection. Account features and service availability can vary by plan and region, so do not assume every account has identical playback behavior.
Use Apple Music on the PS5
Apple Music is available as a PS5 app in supported regions. PlayStation’s instructions cover playback from the console; they do not describe an iPhone-to-PS5 remote-control flow equivalent to Spotify Connect.
- From the PS5 Media home, open All Apps.
- Select Apple Music and choose Download.
- Sign in or follow the on-screen account instructions.
- Open Apple Music directly or choose Music from the Control Center, then select what to play.
See [PlayStation’s PS5 music and podcast instructions](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/subscriptions/how-to-stream-music-and-podcasts-on-ps5-consoles/) for app setup and regional availability.
Play local music files from a USB drive
For music files stored on a phone, the dependable documented approach is to copy compatible, non-DRM files to a separate USB drive. A direct USB connection from a phone is not guaranteed to make its files appear to the PS5 as ordinary storage.
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- All-in-One Media Control: Take command of your entertainment system. This remote is specifically designed for the PlayStation 5, allowing you to navigate the PS5 home menu, control video playback (Play/Pause/FF/Rewind), and manage your 4K Blu-rays and streaming apps without ever reaching for your DualSense controller.
- Universal TV Power & Volume (IR Learning): Replace your cluttered coffee table setup. This remote features built-in IR learning technology that allows it to control your TV’s power, volume, and mute functions. Program it in seconds to work with most major TV brands (Sony, LG, Samsung, Vizio, TCL, and more).
- Bluetooth 5.0 Connectivity & Easy Setup: No dongles, no line-of-sight issues. Pair the remote to your PS5 instantly via Bluetooth 5.0 for a lag-free . Setup is plug-and-play—simply go to your PS5 [Settings] > [Accessories]> [Media Remote]> [Set Up Media Remote]. to pair and start using it immediately.
- Instant Access Shortcuts: Dive into your favorite content faster. Equipped with dedicated shortcut buttons for popular streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and Spotify, you can launch your favorite apps instantly with a single press, bypassing the main menu entirely.
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- Copy the audio files to a USB drive using a computer or a file-management method that can access the actual files.
- Create a folder named Music in the drive’s root directory and put the files inside it.
- Safely eject the drive, connect it to the PS5, and open the console’s media or music player to select the USB drive and a track.
PlayStation documents MP3 and FLAC playback and lists additional formats in its [USB media instructions](https://www.playstation.com/en-gb/support/hardware/play-video-music-discs-usb-drives/). Check that current page for the complete format and drive requirements applicable to your console; compatibility is not guaranteed for every file or drive. Subscription downloads protected by DRM are not ordinary transferable music files.
Why Bluetooth pairing usually does not send phone music to PS5
Bluetooth has a direction: a phone can transmit audio to a Bluetooth speaker or headphones, while a console can send audio to supported output devices. PlayStation documents Bluetooth pairing for controllers and certain accessories, but not a general-purpose mode that receives arbitrary phone audio. Bluetooth support for the DualSense or other accessories does not establish phone-to-console audio input.
That is distinct from connecting compatible headphones to the PS5, or using a Bluetooth transmitter attached to a TV or receiver. The transmitter must sit in the audio path that is producing the sound; an arbitrary USB Bluetooth adapter may not be supported by the console.
For a phone service without a documented PS5 app or Connect option, play it on the phone and route the sound to an external speaker, TV, receiver, or suitable headset. If you want phone and game audio together, a TV/receiver, mixer, or headset designed for multiple sources may help, but latency, chat mixing, microphone behavior, and separate volume controls depend on that hardware.
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- ［Compatibility］Simplify your set-up and effortlessly control your entertainment with the remote for PS5 system. The Remote uses Bluetooth wireless technology to manage media playback of streaming and live apps, and includes controls for power and volume for TVs
- ［One Touch Wake Up］Quickly power on your PS5 from rest mode by pressing the dedicated button – no need to touch the console or game controller
- ［Hassle Free］Seamlessly connects to your PS5 via Bluetooth for responsive media playback, while the built?in IR emitter gives you direct control over your TV's power and volume
- ［Buttons Dedicated］ Includes official style keys to navigate the PS5 dashboard, streaming apps, and Blu?ray menus without lag
- ［Ergonomic Couch Friendly Design］Lightweight and shaped for comfortable thumb reach, with clearly labeled buttons for quick operation – ideal for movie nights and long gaming sessions
PlayStation’s [PS5 FAQ](https://blog.playstation.com/2020/11/09/ps5-the-ultimate-faq/comment-page-10/) distinguishes supported accessories from unsupported third-party Bluetooth wireless headsets connected directly. Its [DualSense Bluetooth guidance](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/pair-dualsense-controller-bluetooth/) covers controller pairing, not phone music reception.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Keep music playing while you game
Spotify and Apple Music can play during gameplay, subject to the game, service, and console behavior. To access playback controls, press the PS button, select Music, and choose the current playback card. Use the displayed controls, then press the PS button to return to the game. Spotify also supports music during gameplay; see its [PlayStation support page](https://support.spotify.com/us/article/spotify-on-playstation/).
A game’s own soundtrack may compete with the music app. If the game permits it, lower or disable its music in the game’s audio settings.
If playback appears active but you hear nothing, check where the PS5 is sending sound: press the PS button, open Sound, and verify the output device and volume. The console may be sending audio to the TV rather than a headset, or to a USB or other connected audio device. Also check for muted or low-volume TV, headset, or controller settings. See [PlayStation’s DualSense and audio support](https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/dualsense-controller-support/).
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- Media playback controls - Quickly navigate media with built-in play/pause, fast forward and fast reverse buttons.
- Seamless console compatibility - Power on your PS5 console and navigate its menus directly with the remote for ultimate convenience.
- TV settings - Adjust the volume and power settings of compatible TVs with the built-in IR transmitter. PS5 system software update may be required.
Choose the method that matches your music source
| What you want to do | Best route | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Control music from your phone | Spotify Connect | Phone selects and controls PS5 playback; requires the Spotify app and network access. |
| Use Apple Music | Apple Music PS5 app | Play music from the console app; a Spotify-style phone-control workflow is not documented by PlayStation. |
| Play downloaded local files | USB drive | Files must be compatible and non-DRM; use a root-level folder named Music. |
| Use YouTube Music or another service without a documented PS5 workflow | Play on the phone or an external audio device | Do not assume the service can cast natively to PS5. |
| Hear music on headphones | Configure a compatible PS5 audio output | Phone and PS5 audio paths are separate unless external hardware supports mixing. |
Quick fixes for other common problems
Music plays on the wrong device
For Spotify, reopen the device picker and select the PS5. If another household device has taken over playback, choose the console again and verify the intended Spotify account is active.
There is no sound
Use PS button > Sound to check the selected output and volume, then check the volume and mute controls on the TV, headset, or controller.
The USB drive or tracks do not appear
Check that the folder is named Music and is at the drive’s root, that tracks are inside it rather than nested unexpectedly, and that the files are supported, accessible audio rather than DRM-protected subscription downloads. A phone may have copied shortcuts instead of the audio itself. If the drive is still not recognized, consult PlayStation’s current USB requirements rather than assuming every filesystem or drive will work.
Apple Music controls are missing from the phone
Use Apple Music on the PS5 itself. PlayStation’s published setup explains console playback but does not document phone control of the console equivalent to Spotify Connect.
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