About a year ago, we entered new territory by introducing our first-ever remote play gadget, the PlayStation Portal remote player. Our goal was to bring the quality gaming experience we’ve mastered on consoles to a handheld device. The PS Portal was a pretty bold move for us, and we’re thrilled with how well it’s been received by our fan base. It’s rewarding to see our concept clicking with the gaming community.
Today, we’re excited to share news about a fresh system software update for PS Portal, which is rolling out soon (though Europe will see it starting Wednesday). This update primarily aims to fine-tune your audio experience, featuring a couple of notable improvements:
- We’ve adjusted the speaker output, so the sound will be quieter when you’ve turned it down to its lowest setting.
- Now, you’ll be able to manage your PlayStation Link device settings right from the PS Portal Settings menu. This tweak allows more control over both volume and sidetone volume.
Additionally, this update introduces a feature that many of you have eagerly anticipated: cloud streaming support for the PS Portal. As it goes live, PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers can dive into a beta for cloud streaming, meaning certain PS5 games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog* will stream directly from our servers, even if you don’t own a PS5 console.
As this cloud streaming feature is still in beta, the available functionality might evolve over time and may not represent what the final experience will look like.
Now, let’s dig a bit into what’s lined up for this beta phase:
Features Available During the Beta
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Stream a selection of PS5 titles from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog: You’ll access over 120 PS5 games, including hits like "Dave the Diver," "Ghost of Tsushima," "Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales," "Monster Hunter Rise," and "Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart" on the PS Portal via cloud streaming.*
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Support for streaming up to 1080p/60fps.**
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Expect an array of DualSense wireless controller features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, integrated speakers, and the touchpad (which is emulated on the PS Portal’s touch screen), along with a motion sensor.***
- PlayStation Plus Cloud storage lets you store up to 100GB of your saved data and progress, ensuring easy transitions between local and streamed gameplay and between different devices.
Cloud Streaming (Beta) for PS Portal is part of our PlayStation Plus Premium plan available in:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.
How to Access Cloud Streaming (Beta)
To tap into the beta, you’ll need a few essentials:
- A PlayStation Portal remote player
- A PlayStation Network account****
- An active PlayStation Plus Premium membership
- A stable broadband internet Wi-Fi connection
You’ll need minimum upload and download speeds of 5 Mbps to set up cloud streaming sessions, 7 Mbps for 720p streaming, and 13 Mbps if you’re aiming for 1080p.
Once the beta unfolds, ensure your PS Portal is updated to its latest system software and then follow these steps:
- Fire up the "Quick Menu" and head into "Settings" on your PS Portal.
- Look for the "Cloud Streaming (Beta)" option.
- Activate the Cloud Streaming (Beta) toggle (note that it’s initially off).
Doing this will add a new feature to your PS Portal’s Home screen, providing access to streaming games. Feel free to disable this beta feature at any time; doing so will return your Home screen to its regular state.
Features Not Included in the Beta
Since we’re still in the early stages of public testing, some features won’t be available right away. These include Game Trials, streaming purchased PS Store games, and system functions such as Party voice chat and game invites for certain games, along with the Create button, 3D audio, and in-game purchasing. Moreover, at this time, streaming on the PS Portal is limited to PS5 titles, with no support for PS4 or PS3 games.
We’re eager to get your feedback and look forward to seeing many of you participate in the beta testing phase!
*Bear in mind that the titles in the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog can change based on time, location, and your plan. Check here for details and the latest updates on PlayStation Plus offerings. Remember, PlayStation Plus is a continuing subscription with an auto-renewing fee at the current PS Store rate. Cancellation is the only way to stop the recurring charge.
**Remember, the performance of individual games might vary depending on both the game itself and the connectivity of your network.
***Please note that haptic feedback and adaptive trigger features are only active when supported by the game.
****Important: Cloud Streaming (Beta) is not available for child accounts.
