If you are lucky enough to have a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X | S during the holidays, or even since Stock problems persistedYou may have encountered a glitch – getting some time to play games on your shiny new console while the rest of the family wants to watch TV.
In the old days, you might have to pack the entire console and plug it in in another room to avoid conflict, but now there is a better option. Sony and Microsoft offer “remote play” options for their devices, allowing you to stream your games to a second screen and continue playing without causing a problem.
In many ways, these are the remote play features of the PS5 and Xbox Series X | S is a continuation of the feature that was introduced in the previous generation of consoles, but there are a few quirks to be aware of for each platform. Read on for a simple guide on how to get started.
How to play remotely on PS5
First, the basics. You will need the PS5 controller, either the full drive system or the full digital version, to update with the latest system software. In many cases, the updates will be downloaded automatically, but if you are not sure if you are up to date, go to Settings, System, System software, Update system software and settings, Update system software and finally select Update via the Internet.
While in settings, go to settings, system, remote play, and make sure “enable remote play” is enabled; otherwise the whole process will fail.
Next, you will need the Remote Play app for your phone, available at Man in appearance And the iOS. Make sure you’re connected to the same WiFi network as your console, then log into the app with your PlayStation Network credentials – the same details you entered on the PS5 itself. You will be able to view and connect to all PlayStation consoles, which work with PS4 and PS5, on the network.
Once everything is set up, you will be able to operate your PS5 using the Remote Play app, as long as the main controller is in idle mode. However, this means that if you activate the console from another room, it is fully functional and depending on your TV settings, it can automatically switch the HDMI input to active. Check your unique settings to make sure you don’t interrupt other TV users. You were warned.
Unfortunately, your phone and your PS5 must be on the same WiFi network for PlayStation Remote Play to work, and Sony recommends that you have a download speed of at least 5 Mbps. And no, there is currently no way to use remote play via of a mobile data connection, even over a high-speed 5G network connection.
Then you will need PlayStation 4 Foreman. Yes, 4. Press and hold the Home button (marked with the PS logo) and the Share button until the light bar flashes. The console is now in pairing mode. Go to your phone’s bluetooth settings and add a new device – on Android it should show up as “Wireless Controller”, while iOS might see “PS4 Controller”. Go back to the Remote Play app (you may need to reconnect to the PS5) and you will now be able to control the system user interface and most games directly through the console, as you normally would.
As long as Can be To pair the PS5 DualSense controller with your phone via bluetooth, it is currently not supported by the app itself; In our tests, the phone’s phone was detected and connected to DualSense, but the PS5 received no input from it.
With a PS4 controller, you play most games normally, but without the extra features that DualSense offers. A notable exception to date is Astro game roomThe title of the PS5’s built-in interface, which requires DualSense functionality. However, the likes of Spider-Man: Miles Morales And the Bogusnax Runs very well.
Also, don’t forget to set your phone’s screen to auto-rotate, so you have a full panoramic view. Otherwise, you only get a small and wide image on top of your phone in portrait mode, which is less than ideal; on the Pixel 2 XL, that means almost 7 x 4 cm of screen real estate.
The Remote Play app also provides a virtual on-screen controller. But, as with all on-screen controllers, it’s horrible to use as it lacks precision and fails to map a 3D button layout to a 2D surface. However, if you don’t have a replacement console, or a PS4 console, you can do this when looking for slow games.
We expect Sony to fix the full DualSense support and home Wi-Fi opt-out for 5G data plan users. But for now, PlayStation Remote Play offers a solid alternative to gaming away from the main TV, as long as you don’t leave the house.
How to play remotely on Xbox Series X | S.
At a glance, Microsoft’s approach is excellent. As the architecture of the X series | Yes, it’s actually the same as Xbox One, so if you’ve already set up Xbox Remote Play, the process is the same.
For anyone who hasn’t, first make sure your console is ready. Update the system software (or check yours) by going to Settings, System, Updates. It should automatically check and ask you to update if you don’t already have the latest version. Next, make sure Remote Play is enabled by going to Settings, Devices and Connections, and Remote Features, and checking the “Enable remote features” box.
Then download the Xbox app, available again at Man in appearance And the iOS. The good news is that this app has more features than Sony’s Remote Play app, allowing you to interact with the entire Xbox experience: your game library, your friends list, notifications, titles provided through Game Pass, and plus. To start playing remotely, tap on the streaming icon; the icon still looks like a horizontally placed Xbox One, located at the top right of the screen, next to the bell icon.
This now gives you three options: “Remote Play on This Device”, “Open Remote” and “Manage Console and Games.” Select the first option and it will do a quick scan of your network environment to make sure everything is in order for remote use. The remote control function is not suitable for remote playback, but it can be useful if you are streaming videos or watching Blu-ray discs through your main TV console, allowing you to turn it on and off. Pause basic console functions and select and skip media without the need for the control panel.
In terms of game controllers, you have a little more flexibility on Xbox: the application will recognize the Xbox Series X console | S or Xbox One platforms. Since there is not much functional difference between them, it is not a big surprise, but if you have sold an Xbox One to upgrade to Series X | Yes, it is reassuring to know that you can use your new generic console.
Unlike the PS5 approach, there is no on-screen controller here so you will need a physical pad for this to work. However, you can connect a controller via USB cable and Bluetooth. For the latter, press and hold the pairing button on the Xbox console, the little circular button at the top of the panel, next to the left bumper, and go to your phone’s Bluetooth settings to connect it.
Remote conference Xbox vs PlayStation
There are other remote playback differences between Microsoft and Sony. The first is that the Xbox app rotates automatically on a widescreen, bypassing the screen rotation locks. It’s for the best – playing 4K games on a phone screen is really a trade-off, so it’s best to get as much screen space as possible.
Microsoft’s biggest advantage is that with Xbox you are can Use remote playback features over a data connection. We wouldn’t necessarily recommend it unless you have a 5G plan and an unlimited data plan (on 4G, the delay was noticeable until you were scrolling through the system menus, accompanied by terrifying pixels), but it is technically possible nonetheless.
Interestingly, Microsoft Remote Play currently excludes titles that are backward compatible with Xbox 360 or the original Xbox. It seems like an odd limitation, given that the console itself is, of course, more than capable of running it. So, it’s funny why you can’t stream games through Remote Play. However, with the ability to play all Xbox One and Series X | Yes, it will be an important library for most players.
The Xbox and PlayStation Remote Play apps can be improved for now: PlayStation to add DualSense support and mobile data playback; Xbox must have its full playable library.
We also recommend using a tablet rather than a phone, thanks to the larger screen size that provides a better overall experience. However, both systems offer a viable alternative to keep playing when you’re not on TV, and could reduce family squabbles in the process.
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