Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe PS5 does not have one universal PS4-style theme menu. Instead, you can change the console’s built-in appearance and sound, or set a custom background for the Welcome Hub.
For a retro interface, go to Settings > System > Appearance > Appearance and Sound. For a custom wallpaper, open the Welcome Hub and select Change Background.
The two ways to customize your PS5
| What you want | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| PlayStation-inspired interface design | Settings > System > Appearance > Appearance and Sound |
| Custom wallpaper or game artwork | Welcome Hub > Change Background |
These are separate settings. Changing the appearance does not automatically replace the Welcome Hub background, so configure both if you want a more complete customized look.
How to change the PS5’s appearance and sound
- Open Settings from the PS5 home screen.
- Select System.
- Choose Appearance.
- Open Appearance and Sound.
- Select the available PlayStation-generation design you want to use.
Sony’s current customization options include designs inspired by the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4. Depending on the selected design, the interface may also use matching sounds or visual effects. The exact choices can depend on your system software and Sony’s current feature availability. Sony announced the classic console-inspired customization in its April 23, 2025 system software update: PlayStation Blog.
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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
How to change the PS5 background
- Go to the PS5 home screen.
- Open the Welcome Hub.
- Select Change Background.
- Choose a source: From PlayStation, Games, or Media Gallery.
- Select the background you want to apply.
The Welcome Hub is a customizable area of the PS5 home screen with its own widgets and background controls. A background selected here is not necessarily a wallpaper applied to every PS5 menu. Games and apps can still display their own context-specific artwork.
For more details about the available controls, see Sony’s Welcome Hub support guide.
How to use your own image
Sony documents Media Gallery as a supported background source. First save or create the image on your PS5 so that it appears in Media Gallery. Then use this path:
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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.
Welcome Hub > Change Background > Media Gallery
Select the image you want to use. Avoid placing important subjects or text near the edges, since Welcome Hub widgets may cover parts of the picture. A screenshot with some clear space around the main subject usually works better than a busy image. If the result looks cluttered, try a PlayStation or game-provided background instead.
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How to set a rotating background
The Welcome Hub includes Slideshow mode. It uses an album and rotates through its images rather than keeping one background permanently visible. Open the Welcome Hub’s background controls, choose an album, and enable Slideshow mode.
Showcase mode is different: it displays the Welcome Hub background more prominently while the console is idle. It does not replace Slideshow mode or turn every PS5 screen into a full-screen wallpaper.
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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.
Can you install PS4-style downloadable themes on PS5?
Not in the same way as on PS4. The PS5 does not currently provide a standard Settings > Themes menu for downloading one complete package that changes the wallpaper, icons, music, and interface sounds together.
Instead, PS5 customization is split between:
- Appearance and Sound: changes the supported system visual and audio design.
- Welcome Hub background: changes the image or design shown in the Welcome Hub.
Do not expect independently installed third-party themes, custom icon packs, or PS4 theme files to redesign the entire PS5 interface. The current official options are more limited but still allow a retro system look and personal Welcome Hub backgrounds.
What to do if “Change Background” is missing
- Install the latest system software available for your console.
- Return to the PS5 home screen and open the Welcome Hub itself. The option is not located in the general Settings menu.
- Check whether your account or console region supports the feature.
- Restart the PS5 and check the Welcome Hub again.
- If the option is still unavailable, use Settings > System > Appearance > Appearance and Sound and consult PlayStation Support.
Sony introduced the Welcome Hub through a staged regional rollout, beginning in the United States in September 2024. Menu names and availability can therefore vary by region, account, and system software. See Sony’s original Welcome Hub announcement for rollout context.
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- Ultra Customizable Controls
- Mappable Back Buttons
- DualSense Wireless Controller Features Built In
- Replaceable Stick Modules and Caps
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a custom PS5 wallpaper?
Yes. Put the image in Media Gallery, then open Welcome Hub > Change Background > Media Gallery. This changes the Welcome Hub background, not necessarily every PS5 screen.
Can I make my PS5 look like a PS1 or PS2?
Yes. Go to Settings > System > Appearance > Appearance and Sound and select the available PlayStation-generation design.
Can I change the PS5 menu music?
The documented control is Appearance and Sound, which applies a supported generation-inspired visual and audio design. It does not provide a general custom music-upload feature.
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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
Can I use PS4 themes on PS5?
The PS5 does not currently offer a comparable downloadable theme-management system for installing complete PS4-style theme packages.
Why does my background change when I select a different game?
Game and app presentation can show context-specific artwork. Welcome Hub backgrounds are configured separately through the Welcome Hub’s Change Background option.
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