How-To Geek - PlayStation 5

Should You Upgrade to the New Slim PS5?

Sydney Butler — Thu, 19 Oct 2023 16:01:39 GMT

Sony has announced a new, slimmer model of PlayStation 5 set for release in the 2023 holiday season. The new model improves the current PS5 design in several key areas. However, if you already own a PS5, should you upgrade?

Sony’s New Playstation 5 Has Some Great Changes

Arol Wright — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 19:21:07 GMT

It might not look like it, but the most recent generation of consoles is already half through its lifespan. The PlayStation 5, Sony's latest console, first arrived three years ago in 2020. A good chunk of that time was marked by limited availability due to the chip shortage, but nonetheless, the console has been out for a long time, and players have started wondering whether Sony was planning to release new models at all. Now, that has finally happened. A slimmer version of the PlayStation 5 is finally here.

Customize Your Xbox, PS5 or Switch Console with Wraps, Stickers and More

Tim Brookes — Fri, 22 Sep 2023 16:01:29 GMT

Tired of the boring black or white box under your TV? Here’s how to make it stand out without buying a new pricey limited edition console.

The PS5 Now Supports 8TB M.2 SSDs and Dolby Atmos Audio

Andrew Heinzman — Wed, 13 Sep 2023 17:37:50 GMT

Two of the PlayStation 5's biggest annoyances just got fixed. The latest PS5 update adds support for 8TB M.2 SSDs, doubling the previous 4TB limit. It also introduces Dolby Atmos surround sound compatibility, which provides a new level of immersion for gamers and greatly improves the PS5's media playback acumen (though developers like Netflix are responsible for adding Dolby Atmos to their respective media apps).

The Best PS5 SSDs of 2023

Tyler Colp — Tue, 31 Jan 2023 15:00:00 GMT

The Sony PlayStation 5 supports an additional SSD to expand your game and app storage. The installation process is simple, but determining which SSDs will work can be complicated.

Grab a 1TB Samsung 980 Pro SSD for Just $120

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 24 Jan 2023 11:49:54 GMT

Samsung makes some of the best internal SSDs around, especially its NVMe drives. Now you can get the Samsung 980 1TB SSD with a heatsink for $120, a discount of 20% from the original price.

Get Ready for More $70 Video Games

Corbin Davenport — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 10:57:43 GMT

Over the past few years, larger games for PC and consoles have been creeping up in price to $70, a significant jump from previous standard price of around $60. Unfortunately, that trend isn't going away.

Sony's New PlayStation 5 Is Lighter: Is That Good or Bad?

Arol Wright — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 11:50:44 GMT

The price of the PlayStation 5 rose in many countries a few days ago, to the frustration of potential buyers. But the consoles shipping after the price hike are not the same ones as before. Sony has quietly released a new, lighter revision of the console.

The PlayStation 5 Is Increasing in Price in Some Countries

Arol Wright — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 11:19:04 GMT

If there's something certain about current-gen consoles like the PlayStation 5, is that their price has never been stable. First, it was the chip shortage. Now that scalping seems to be less common, other woes are at play, causing Sony to raise the price of its console in some markets.

The PS5 Gets a Price Hike Nearly Everywhere It's Sold

Danny Chadwick — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 15:32:11 GMT

Today, Sony announced a price increase for the Playstation 5 in Europe, the United Kingdom, Japan, China, Australia, Mexico, and Canada. The company cited worldwide economic challenges, including global inflation and adverse currency trends, as the reason for the raised cost of the gaming console.

A YouTuber Just Created the First "PS5 Slim," Kinda

Cory Gunther — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 20:04:11 GMT

The Playstation 5 is one of the biggest consoles around, but eventually, Sony will likely release a slim version. However, one DIY YouTuber didn't want to wait several years for it, so he made his own "PS5 Slim."

The 13 Best PS4 Games with PS5 Upgrades

Eric Schoon — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 14:24:00 GMT

The Sony PlayStation 5 is the company's most powerful console to date, though there's still a lack of dedicated PS5 games for the next-gen console. Fortunately, it's backward compatible with most PS4 games, many of which have seen updates that bring improved graphics and frame rates, along with other enhancements.

Amazon Opens a PS5 and Xbox Waiting List for Real People, Not Bots

Suzanne Humphries — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 16:39:36 GMT

In a (at this point, noble) effort to evade bots and scalpers, Amazon is creating a by-request waiting list for purchasing the highly sought after PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X gaming consoles after a recent restock. Users can request an invitation on the Amazon product page.

Why the PlayStation VR2 Won't Live up to the Hype

Dave McQuilling — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 14:00:55 GMT

Sony has officially announced PlayStation VR 2 (PSVR2). The list of features includes eye-tracking, immersive sensory features, and an OLED display. These are all features you would expect from an industry leader. Unfortunately, I think the whole thing will be a massive flop.

Amazon Prime Members Get First Dibs on PS5 and Xbox Consoles

Dave LeClair — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 13:32:50 GMT

Even though they've been available for a long time, it's still almost impossible to find a PS5 or Xbox Series X game console. Amazon is trying to make it a little easier for Prime members, as the company is giving them first dibs when the consoles come back in stock.

Verizon Will Sell You a PS5 If You're a Wireless Customer

Dave LeClair — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 09:26:42 GMT

Getting a PS5 is no easy task, even though the console has been available for what seems like forever. Verizon is willing to help you get your hands on one, but you need to be an existing wireless customer.

Looking for a PS5? Sony Might Sell You One

Dave LeClair — Fri, 15 Oct 2021 09:22:01 GMT

If you've been on the seemingly never-ending quest to purchase a PlayStation 5, Sony might have a solution for you. The company is offering the opportunity to register for a chance to buy a console directly from Sony.

Best Buy Puts PS5 Purchases Behind a Paywall

Dave LeClair — Tue, 12 Oct 2021 09:56:18 GMT

If you've tried to purchase a PlayStation 5, you know that it's a struggle. Best Buy is trying to make getting a PS5 with its new yearly Totaltech membership a little easier, but it'll cost you.

Today Only: Get Our Favorite 4TB PS5 SSD for $130 Off

Dave LeClair — Mon, 04 Oct 2021 09:15:15 GMT

If you own a PS5 and want a big 4TB SSD, you can currently grab one of our favorite PS5-compatible SSDs for $130 off the regular price. Instead of $649.99, you can snag the ultra-high-speed PNY XLR8 4TB CS3040 gaming SSD from Amazon for $519.99 today, October 4, 2021, only.

Your Sony PlayStation 5 Now Supports 4TB of Extra Storage

Dave LeClair — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 10:20:00 GMT

Sony is dropping the September update for PlayStation 5 that'll make it so you can stick a massive 4TB M.2 SSD in your console to get all the storage space you need. It also adds new UX features, 3D Audio for built-in TV speakers, and more.

Sony's Revised PS5 Is a Downgrade, Not an Upgrade

Cory Gunther — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:37:18 GMT

Less than a year after its launch, Sony is shipping a revised version of the PlayStation 5 in Australia, Japan, and the United States, with more regions to follow. At first, we quickly noticed it comes with a new stand design, but now we know it's physically lighter than the original, and that might not be a good thing.

Sony's New PS5 Runs Hotter. Is That a Problem?

Dave LeClair — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 10:35:47 GMT

Sony quietly released a revised version of the PS5 hardware. This isn't a PS5 2.0 or anything major like that, but the revision makes one notable change: the system is a little lighter and runs hotter. Will that extra heat become an issue?

What's New In Sony's Revised PS5?

Andrew Heinzman — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:03:14 GMT

Less than a year after its launch, Sony is shipping a revised version of the PlayStation 5. And while we know that the new model is about 0.6 pounds lighter than the original PS5, Sony hasn't explained why. So what's new in the "CFI-1102A" PS5?Early reports from Australia, where the PS5 revision first shipped, show that the console has a new screw to secure its base/stand. This new screw does not require a screw, greatly simplifying the PS5 setup process.Sony also revised the PS5 base for improved console stability. Pictured below, the new stand has a small bump in its center that fits between the PS5's white plastic wings when it's in a vertical orientation. (The Twitter user who shared this image, @bdp2007, is one of the first people to own a CFI-1102A PS5 in the United States.)

How to Turn Off Trophy Video Recording on Your PS5

Samir Makwana — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:00:00 GMT

Your PlayStation 5 (PS5) will capture and save moments when you earn a trophy in a game. However, the console stores those trophy moments as video files instead of screenshots. Here's how to change that.

How to Auto Mute Your DualSense Controller's Mic on PS5

Samir Makwana — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 15:00:25 GMT

Whenever you start your PlayStation 5 (PS5), the DualSense controller's mic automatically turns on. If you forget about it, you'll transmit your screams and background noises in multiplayer games. However, you can mute the microphone by default to avoid embarrassment.

How to Use Share Play on Sony PS4 And PS5

Chris Penwell — Sun, 15 Aug 2021 13:00:16 GMT

If you own a Sony PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 console and subscribe to PlayStation Plus, you can play games with a friend as if they're sitting right next to you. It's called Share Play---here's how to set it up.

How to Appear Offline on PS5

Pranay Parab — Sat, 14 Aug 2021 14:00:38 GMT

If you don't want to let your friends know when you've logged in to your PlayStation 5, you can choose to hide your online status. We'll show you how to appear offline on the PS5---both from the console and the PlayStation App.

What's the Difference Between PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now?

Chris Penwell — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:30:00 GMT

With so many "PlayStation" product and service names out there, it's easy to get confused about PlayStation Plus and PlayStation Now. Both are subscription services for PS4, PS5, and PC, but with key differences. We'll explain.

How to Connect a PS5 Controller to an Android Phone

Pranay Parab — Sun, 04 Jul 2021 09:30:46 GMT

The DualSense controller, which ships with Sony's PlayStation 5 console, also works with Android phones. We're going to show you how to connect the PS5 controller with your Android phone.

How to Turn off a PS5 Controller When Paired Using Bluetooth

Pranay Parab — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 08:30:06 GMT

If you pair the Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller with your smartphone, tablet, or PC using Bluetooth, you need to manually switch off the controller when you're done playing to save battery life. Here's how.

How to Connect a PS5 Controller to an iPhone or iPad

Pranay Parab — Sun, 13 Jun 2021 08:30:16 GMT

The Sony PlayStation 5 DualSense controller can easily pair with your iPhone or iPad, and it's fully compatible with many popular games. Here's how to connect it to (and use it with) those Apple devices.

How to Mute Your PS5's Audio Using a DualSense Controller

Christian Cooper — Sat, 17 Apr 2021 10:24:40 GMT

Need to quickly mute your PlayStation 5 (PS5)? Don't reach for your TV remote! There's a quick and easy way to quickly mute all PS5 audio straight from your DualSense controller. Here's how.

How to Use a PS5 Controller on Windows 10

Samir Makwana — Sat, 20 Mar 2021 11:23:30 GMT

The PlayStation 5's (PS5) DualSense wireless controller includes adaptive triggers that work best with PS5 games, but that doesn't mean it won't work with your computer. You can pair the PS5 controller with your Windows 10 PC and play games on Steam as well.

How to Download PS5 Games From Your Phone

Rachel Kaser — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 09:30:43 GMT

It's no secret that it can take quite some time to download games onto your PlayStation 5 (PS5). Thankfully, you can jumpstart the process and start the download process using the PlayStation smartphone app. Here's how.

How to Transfer Your Games and Save Files From PS4 to PS5

Rachel Kaser — Sat, 06 Feb 2021 08:30:55 GMT

The PlayStation 5 (PS5) will load and play your PlayStation 4 (PS4) games and save files, provided you import them from one console to the other. Here's how to transfer all of your old data.

How to Put Your PS5 DualSense Controller Into Pairing Mode

Rachel Kaser — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 09:30:15 GMT

The PlayStation 5's (PS5) DualSense controller is Bluetooth-capable, meaning you don't need to plug it in to use it with your console. You will, however, have to pair it with the console. Here's how to put it into pairing mode.

How to Tell If Your PS5 Is Playing the PS4 Version of a Game

Rachel Kaser — Sat, 23 Jan 2021 09:30:19 GMT

Some of your PlayStation 5 (PS5) games might be PlayStation 4 (PS4) games in disguise. Here's how you can tell the difference between console versions and change these games to their next-gen versions.

How to Turn off or Restart Your Playstation 5

Rachel Kaser — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 08:30:58 GMT

The PlayStation 5's (PS5) user interface places the power options within a hidden menu, making them somewhat difficult to find. We'll explain how to find the options, so you can easily turn your console off, put it into Rest Mode, restart it, or turn the system on again as needed.

How Backward Compatible Is the PlayStation 5?

Tim Brookes — Tue, 17 Nov 2020 08:00:56 GMT

The PlayStation 5 introduces some big improvements over the previous generation, while maintaining compatibility with most PS4 games. Unfortunately "most" isn't "all," so here's what you need to know about playing older games on your PS5.

Here's How to Request a Free PS5 Adapter for Your PSVR Camera

Andrew Heinzman — Fri, 30 Oct 2020 15:35:28 GMT

PlayStation VR isn't going anywhere. The low-cost virtual reality hardware works on PS5, so you can continue playing old and new VR titles on your next-gen console. Unfortunately, your PSVR camera can't plug into the PS5 without an adapter. You can request an adapter for free through Sony's website.

What Is HDMI VRR on the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X?

Tim Brookes — Tue, 13 Oct 2020 06:40:00 GMT

PC gamers have been enjoying variable-refresh-rate (VRR) gaming for years. Finally, Sony and Microsoft are bringing VRR to your living room with their next-generation consoles.

PS5 and Xbox Series X: What Are Teraflops?

Ian Paul — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 06:40:00 GMT

Teraflops: they're all anyone wants to talk about when the upcoming Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5 consoles are mentioned. This is because Microsoft and Sony are bragging about big performance boosts thanks, in part, to an increase in teraflops.

How to Watch Sony's PlayStation 5 Reveal

Joel Cornell — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 10:20:13 GMT

After Sony canceled its appearance at this year's Game Developers Conference (GDC), the company has decided to release more details about its next console, aptly named the Playstation 5 (PS5), on its own. Here's how to watch the big reveal today, March 18, 2020,Â at 12 p.m. EST/9 a.m. PST.