PS Remote Play fails before it starts when the console setting, account, app, or rest mode setup is missing. The fix is to set up the host console first, install Sony's current app on the device you want to play from, then sign in with the same PlayStation account. Follow the path below for PS5, PS4, mobile, PC, Mac, Android TV, Google TV, PS Portal, and console-to-console Remote Play.
1. Confirm the Remote Play basics
Start with the requirements, because Remote Play will not connect without them.
- Use a PS5, PS5 Digital Edition, PS4, or PS4 Pro with the latest system software.
- Use an Account for PlayStation and sign in with the same account on the console and in PS Remote Play.
- Use an internet connection of at least 5 Mbps. PlayStation recommends 15 Mbps.
- Choose a supported device: compatible phone or tablet, Android TV or Google TV device, Windows PC, Mac, PS Portal, or a supported PlayStation console-to-console setup.
For the cleanest first setup, use a phone, tablet, Windows PC, or Mac. Add Android TV, Google TV, PS Portal, or console-to-console play after the host console connects correctly.
2. Install Sony's current app
- 1.On iPhone or iPad, open the App Store listing for PS Remote Play, select Get, then open PS Remote Play.
- 2.On Android phone or tablet, open Google Play, search for PS Remote Play, select Install, then open PS Remote Play.
- 3.On Windows PC, open Sony's official PC and Mac Remote Play page, choose the Windows PC download flow, read the SIE application end user license agreement and Privacy policy, select the checkbox, choose Download, run the installation file, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 4.On Mac, open Sony's official PC and Mac Remote Play page, choose the Mac download flow, read the SIE application end user license agreement and Privacy policy, select the checkbox, choose Download, run the installation file, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 5.On a supported Android TV OS 12 or later TV or device, such as Google TV Streamer or Chromecast with Google TV, search for PS Remote Play for TV and install it from Google Play.
Use Sony's official PS Remote Play pages and the official app stores only. The current PC and Mac app is PS Remote Play, not the old PS4 Remote Play download from third-party sites.
3. Prepare your PS5
On the PS5 home screen, open Settings > System > Remote Play, then turn on Enable Remote Play. PlayStation says this setting is adjustable for each user.
To start Remote Play while the PS5 is in rest mode, open Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode. Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
When you are finished, leave the PS5 on or put it in rest mode. To enter rest mode, press the PS button, open the control center, choose Power, then select Enter Rest Mode. You can also press the power button once.
4. Ready your PS4
- 1.From the PS4 function screen, open Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings, then turn on Enable Remote Play.
- 2.Open Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4, then select Activate. PlayStation allows one primary PS4 for each account.
- 3.For rest mode startup, open Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode. Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS4 from Network.
To enter rest mode on PS4, select Power from the function screen, then choose Enter Rest Mode. You can also press and hold the power button until the console beeps.
5. Connect from the Remote Play app
The first connection is account-based. Keep the console on or in rest mode, then use the same PlayStation account in the app.
- 1.Open PS Remote Play on your phone, tablet, Windows PC, Mac, Android TV, or Google TV device.
- 2.Select Sign In and sign in with the same account you use on the console.
- 3.Select PS5 or PS4.
- 4.If the app finds more than one console, select the console you want to use.
On Windows PC or Mac, connect your controller with a USB cable when required before starting the session. Before connecting, open Settings in PS Remote Play to adjust video quality.
6. Turn on mobile data or TV play
For mobile data, open PS Remote Play on your phone or tablet, select Sign In, sign in with the same account used on your console, open Settings in the upper-right corner, then go to Mobile Data > Use Mobile Data > OK. Turn on Notify Me When Using Mobile Data or adjust Video Quality for Streaming from the same mobile data area.
On Android TV or Google TV, launch PS Remote Play, select Sign In, scan the QR code with a mobile device, sign in with the same account used on the console, then choose PS5 or PS4. Android TV Remote Play requires a DualSense or DUALSHOCK 4 controller. DualSense Edge works on Android TV OS 14 or later.
- 1.To pair a DualSense controller with Android TV, make sure the player indicator is off. If it is on, press and hold the PS button until it turns off.
- 2.Hold the Create button, then hold the PS button for at least three seconds.
- 3.Open Android TV Settings and select the controller.
- 4.To pair a DUALSHOCK 4, make sure the player indicator is off, hold SHARE, then hold the PS button until the light bar blinks.
- 5.Open Android TV Settings and select the controller.
7. Pair the console manually
Use manual pairing when the app does not find the console automatically. Put the Remote Play device and console on the same network first.
- 1.On PS5, open Settings > System > Remote Play > Pair Device, then note the number on the screen.
- 2.On PS4, open Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings > Add Device, then note the number on the screen.
- 3.In PS Remote Play on Windows PC or Mac, enter the number shown on the console screen.
If a PS4 Remote Play stream connects but runs poorly, lower the resolution in the app. Open PS Remote Play > Settings > Video Quality for Remote Play > Resolution (Excluding PS4 Pro), then choose 360p, 540p, or 720p.
8. Start the other official routes
For Remote Play, PS Portal connects to a PS5 host. PS Portal can also cloud stream select PS5 games separately with a PlayStation Plus Premium membership on an adult account in supported regions. On the PS5, connect to the internet, sign in with the same account used on PS Portal, update the system software, then open Settings > System > Remote Play and turn on Enable Remote Play. From the PS Portal home screen, tap the portal or press the cross button.
To switch PS Portal to another PS5, quit Remote Play first. From the PS Portal home screen, open the quick menu, select the PS5 icon, then select the PS5 console you want to use.
Console-to-console Remote Play has three current paths. From another PS5, open Games home > Remote Play > PS5 > OK after enabling Remote Play on the host PS5. From a PS4 controlling a PS5, select PS5 Remote Play > Find Your PS5. From a PS5 controlling a PS4, open Games home > Remote Play > PS4 after enabling Enable Remote Play and Activate as Your Primary PS4 on the PS4 host.
The PlayStation App also launches a Remote Play session on mobile when PS Remote Play is installed on the same device. In PlayStation App, pair the console from Settings > Pair Console to App. After a game is downloaded to the paired PS5, open Game Library > Purchased, select the game, then choose Play on Console.
9. Fix special cases
On PS5, hide the Remote Play connection notice shown when another user logs in by opening Settings > System > Remote Play, then turning on Hide Remote Play Connection Status Pop-Up or Hide Remote Play Connection Status.
For child accounts, check family controls as the family manager, parent, or guardian. On the web, sign in to Account Management > Family Management, select the child, then choose Edit. On PS5, open Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management, select the child, then select a parental control. On PS4, open Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management, select the child, then select a parental control.
Skip browser Remote Play and third-party PC or Mac downloads. PlayStation's current setup paths use PS Remote Play, PS Remote Play for TV, PS Portal, PlayStation App handoff, or supported console-to-console Remote Play. PS Vita and PlayStation TV PS4 Link remain legacy PS4 paths, not the current PS Remote Play app setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PS Remote Play work away from home?
Yes. PlayStation lists Remote Play for use on supported devices with a fast, stable internet connection, and the mobile app also has a Mobile Data setting for supported carrier networks.
Which iPhone or iPad version does PS Remote Play need?
The current App Store listing requires iOS 15.0 or iPadOS 15.0 or later for PS Remote Play.
Which Android version does PS Remote Play need?
The current Google Play listing requires Android 10 or later for the mobile app. DualSense support is listed for Android 12 or later, and DualSense Edge support for Android 14 or later.
Can I use HDR with PS Remote Play?
Yes, for PS5 Remote Play on supported setups. Windows PC requires PS5 HDR output, Microsoft's HEVC Video Extension, Windows HDR settings, and Enable HDR in PS Remote Play. Android TV uses Video Quality for Remote Play > HDR > Automatic.
