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You can play games from your PS4 or PS5 on a compatible phone, tablet, computer, or PlayStation Portal using Remote Play. The game runs on your console and streams to the handheld screen; a phone or Portal does not run PlayStation games by itself. To get started with the app, enable Remote Play on your console, sign in to the app with the same PlayStation account, and connect a supported controller or use mobile touch controls where available.

Choose a handheld setup

There are two main ways to use a handheld screen: Sony’s PS Remote Play app on a device you already own, or the dedicated PlayStation Portal Remote Player. Both stream from a console, but their console requirements differ.

Option What you need Main trade-off
Phone or tablet with PS Remote Play A compatible device, the free PS Remote Play app, a PS4 or PS5, the same PlayStation account on console and app, a network connection, and a supported controller or touch controls. Can use a device you already own, but compatibility depends on the device and operating system. Mobile-data use counts toward your plan allowance.
PlayStation Portal A Portal, a PlayStation account, a paired PS5 with a compatible game installed, and broadband Wi-Fi. Purpose-built handheld controls and screen, but it requires a PS5 and is not compatible with PS4.

For exact phone, operating-system, and controller combinations, check Sony’s PS Remote Play compatibility information. For Portal requirements, see Sony’s U.S. Portal page and Portal compatibility guide.

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Set up PS Remote Play on a phone or tablet

1. Check device and controller support

Before installing the app, check Sony’s compatibility list for your device, operating-system version, and controller. Sony lists DualSense, DualSense Edge, and DUALSHOCK 4 support subject to device-specific conditions. On supported phones and tablets, you can instead use on-screen touch controls.

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2. Prepare your PS4 or PS5

Connect the console to the internet and install its current system software. The console and app must use the same PlayStation account. Remote Play supports compatible PS4 and PS5 consoles; availability of individual games and device combinations can vary.

3. Enable Remote Play on the console

  • PS5: Open Settings > System > Remote Play and turn on Enable Remote Play.
  • PS4: Open Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and enable Remote Play. Sony’s setup guide also covers activating the console as the account’s primary PS4.

If you want to start the console remotely while it is in Rest Mode, enable the relevant network wake settings. On PS5, go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode, then turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network. On PS4, configure the corresponding Rest Mode features as described in Sony’s mobile Remote Play setup guide.

4. Install the app and connect

  1. Install PS Remote Play from the app store for your device.
  2. Open the app and sign in with the same PlayStation account used on the console.
  3. Follow the app’s connection prompts to find and connect to your console.
  4. Connect a supported controller if required, or use touch controls if your device supports them.

Set up PlayStation Portal

Portal is a dedicated screen and controller for Remote Play from a PS5. Pair it with your PS5 and PlayStation account, connect it to broadband Wi-Fi, and play a compatible game installed on the console. It does not connect to a PS4.

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Sony’s U.S. product guidance says Portal can connect to a range of public Wi-Fi networks with supported software, though some networks require extra validation. Initial setup on home Wi-Fi and a phone or tablet to complete those validation steps may be required. Public-network support and setup details can vary by region and software; check the current guidance for your location. Sony lists an 8-inch HD screen on its UK Portal product page.

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Check your connection before playing

Sony’s official guidance, accessed October 11, 2026, requires a broadband connection of at least 5 Mbps and recommends at least 15 Mbps for a better Remote Play experience, over Wi-Fi or mobile data. These are service recommendations, not guarantees of a particular image quality, frame rate, or latency; Sony says performance varies with the game and network environment. You can check Sony’s current requirements on its PS Remote Play page and Portal page.

If you play over mobile data, Remote Play uses your plan’s data allowance. Any overage charges depend on your plan and carrier. A Wi-Fi connection avoids using mobile data, but network quality still affects play.

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Know which games and features may not work

  • Games that require a VR headset are not compatible with PS Remote Play.
  • Games that require peripherals beyond supported controllers are not compatible.
  • Games that must be streamed using PS Plus Premium are not compatible with PS Remote Play.
  • Some titles may not be available through Portal; it streams compatible games installed on the paired PS5.

Check Sony’s Remote Play information for exclusions and current device requirements.

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Choose based on the console and device you have

  • If you have a PS4, use the PS Remote Play app on a compatible device; Portal is not an option for PS4.
  • If you have a PS5 and want a dedicated handheld, Portal is designed for streaming compatible installed PS5 games.
  • If you already have a supported phone or tablet and controller, the app lets you try Remote Play without buying a dedicated handheld.
  • If you expect to play away from home, check Wi-Fi availability, device compatibility, and mobile-data limits before relying on the connection.

The cited Sony requirements establish what each setup needs, but do not establish a comparative latency or performance advantage for Portal versus the app.

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