PS4 system software update 8.00 launching today

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PS4 system software update 8.00 launching today

Includes changes to Party and Messages features, new avatars, updated parental controls and more.

Sid Shuman (he/him) Senior Director, Sony Interactive Entertainment Content Communications

UPDATE: Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded. Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review. The pop up you’re seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE.  

Our latest system software update for PlayStation 4, version 8.00, is launching today globally. This update includes changes to the existing Party and Messages features, new avatars, updated parental controls and more.

Here are some of the key features in this update:

Updates to Party and Messages

Following this update, Party and Messages will be more tightly linked together and you will see changes to the UI. Both apps will now use the same ‘Groups’ of players for Party voice chats and message exchanges, instead of having different groups setup across the two apps. So now you can start a Party chat or send a message to the group you’ve previously chatted with across PS4, as well as PS5 when it launches.

New Avatars

We’re expanding the collection of pre-set avatars for players to showcase on their Profile. An array of new avatars from your favorite games will be available, including Bloodborne, Journey, Ghost of Tsushima, God of War, The Last of Us Part II, The Last of Us Remastered, Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End and many more.

Mute all Mics from Quick Menu

We’ve added an option to “Mute all Microphones” in the Quick Menu, so you can easily mute your mics while gaming.

Simplified and more flexible Parental Controls

Under Parental Controls, we’re combining the ‘Communicating with Other Players’ and ‘Viewing Content Created by other Players’ into one setting – ‘Communication and User Generated Content’-  to cover both areas of communication and UGC sharing. This offers a simpler setting that’s easier for parents to understand and apply to their children.

 In addition, children can send a request to their parents to use communications features in specific games. When a child sends this request, the parent will receive an email notification and can choose to make an exception for that game and allow the child to use its communications and UGC features. This will provide more flexibility to both parents and children.

Enhanced 2-Step Verification

The 2-Step Verification (2SV) feature on PS4 will be enhanced to support third party authenticator apps as an option during the activation flow and 2SV sign-in across PS4, mobile and web.

Removal of Event Creation and Private Community Creation

After 8.00, you will no longer be able to create Events or access existing Events created by other users.

We’re also removing the ability to create private Communities under the Community app on PS4. If you already have existing private Communities, you can continue to access them.

Updates to Remote Play App on Mobile and PC

At the same time as 8.00, the existing PS4 Remote Play app on mobile (iOS/Android), Windows PC and Mac, will change its name to PS Remote Play, and the option to connect to PS5 will be added. You’ll need to sign in to PSN from your PS5 to be able to access the feature, so sit tight until PS5 launches this November!

 As a reminder, a PS4 system with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended to download the update.

system software update

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2,748 Comments

  • xineeeyy
    October 15, 2020 at 2:30 pm PDT

    Just 3 things…
    1) Why get rid of play together? I have a custom list to find my friends easier to make a party but this isn’t incorporated in games itself. Play together saves the hassle of inviting people one by one. I literally have to scroll through my list in some games to invite if they don’t have “invite players from party” option.

    2) Why are blocked users able to join your party? It doesn’t make any sense. Even if you cannot hear each other, what is the point of them being able to be in your party????

    3) i find it silly how you can’t make your party private/public anymore. I feel like that feature was pretty recent and very useful.

    i understand you guys have a whole new console coming out so you want to make big changes but some of the things here worked perfectly fine originally.

  • cooltrg
    October 15, 2020 at 2:31 pm PDT

    Oh gosh this is horrible PlayStation please put the party system back to how it was I can’t even join community parties and that was a huge part of my time playing and I cant hang out with new people, I have lost tons of friends because your name system is messed up and I’m quite upset please put community parties back why would you do this to us?

  • winemdinem69m
    October 15, 2020 at 2:39 pm PDT

    These kind of updates aren’t exactly pushing me towards getting a PS5. Less privacy, more bugs, overall terrible management of one of the biggest reasons to play online games (seeing your friends) and making it more complicated to start gaming together

  • marsgunz
    October 15, 2020 at 2:47 pm PDT

    The party system did not need changing I understand you guys want to stop the verbal abuse online but you can’t save the world I don’t like the fact that I have to start a group chat to get people in a party I miss the old party system please change it back

  • tormentor007
    October 15, 2020 at 2:51 pm PDT

    I have a PS4 and a PS4 Pro in my house and I will not be buying the PS5 unless this is changed. I will not buy a PS5 unless Sony straight up says that they will not record or retain any voice conversations from PRIVATE chat parties on the playstation servers for any reason whatsoever. What they do in a public chat party is fine, but stay out of PRIVATE chat parties.
    I used to start a private chat party for just myself so that when I play Call of Duty I don’t have to put up with the people in the game. Not just the toxic people, but the ones playing loud music, screaming kids in the bacground, eating into the mic and so on. It is a pain in the backside to have to mute everyone every time the game puts you into a new lobby.
    So, fix the PRIVATE chat parties or I am gone from playstation.

    • phantombear_626
      October 15, 2020 at 8:30 pm PDT

      I think you are misunderstanding the policy. They are not recording and storing your conversations. Other people in the party can record the convo and report you by submitting it.

      “Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded. Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review. The pop up you’re seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE. “

  • D00M6UY
    October 15, 2020 at 2:54 pm PDT

    Is this update recording my private chats? I don’t need you to moderate my PRIVATE conversations. You’re I overstepping your bounds if you are.

    • phantombear_626
      October 15, 2020 at 8:31 pm PDT

      I think you are misunderstanding the policy. They are not recording and storing your conversations. Other people in the party can record the convo and report you by submitting it. People can already record you, this new features allows them to submit it directly to Sony if they break terms of service

      “Following this update, users are seeing a notification about Party Safety and that voice chats in parties may be recorded. Voice chat recording for moderation is a feature that will be available on PS5 when it launches, and will enable users to record their voice chats on PS5 and submit them for moderation review. The pop up you’re seeing on PS4 right now is to let you know that when you participate in a chat with a PS5 user (post-launch), they may submit those recordings from their PS5 console to SIE. “

  • kaoticgamer-k
    October 15, 2020 at 2:58 pm PDT

    👏 Congratulations Sony you had one job just one and yet you screwed it up big time there’s a old saying

    If it’s not broke don’t fix it simple

    So now I have to make a group message party to invite someone to a party to talk? 🤔 Mhmmm made thing more simple have you can you point out where then please?
    this update is generally the worst thing you could of ever implied to your product to the point now where I am looking to switch back to a different gaming platform

    But yet this is just my opinion but I hope I’m not alone on this point of view

  • memandylov_
    October 15, 2020 at 3:01 pm PDT

    I absolutely hate what you did to the party system. Sometimes I just want to make a public party and just let my friends join whenever they want. I don’t want to have to go turou

    • memandylov_
      October 15, 2020 at 3:04 pm PDT

      My phone glitched and sent the comment way too early. I don’t want to go through my message groups to make a party. And why can’t I make my party private anymore? Now anybody can just add whoever they want to my party and I don’t have any say in it? That’s awful. I want to be able to say no I don’t want to talk to that person. Everything that was good about parties is ruined

  • cdplayer343
    October 15, 2020 at 3:03 pm PDT

    Ever since the update, we are getting a this message in NBA2K: “You are restricted from using communication features.” When my son sends request we get this message:”An error has occurred” I have looked and settings should allow communication. Any ideas?

    • itzmeggy
      October 15, 2020 at 5:38 pm PDT

      well this update is broken as hell. We cant do anything and just gotta wait for sony to do something. I’d try to contact sony via live chat. Its really useful and id recommend it.

  • WakeforFakeCake
    October 15, 2020 at 3:09 pm PDT

    Removing the ability to name a group with only two people in it is TERRIBLE. I was using it to keep track of who I was talking to. I don’t know most of the people I talk to via PSN by their Playstation username. I know them by their character name in an MMO. You’ve deleted all of my group names. There was no point in doing that. Also, TELL PEOPLE THAT THEY’VE BEEN BLOCKED. Don’t ust allow people to continue talking to brick walls. If you think that having people aware of who blocked them is going to start trouble, ignoring them without blocking them would also start trouble. You solve nothing. Blocking is the answer, allowing people to think they’re being ignored without confirmation of a block is just infuriating. If you’re in a party with someone who can’t hear you, you won’t know that they can’t hear you if you’re not the person who did the block. THAT’S INANE.

    Also, attempting to load this page took ages because your site runs like molasses, and then it kept refusing to allow me to create a comment, too.

  • srt_gerald
    October 15, 2020 at 3:11 pm PDT

    This new update is not it chief my friends and i starting insulting each other on the party and I got kicked out 10 minutes later Xbox sales are going to go up because of this now we can’t have fun insulting each other 🤦🏽‍♂️

  • tui8kuu
    October 15, 2020 at 3:12 pm PDT

    A conpletely useless and needless update, this is a big stepback for the partys

  • riser_games
    October 15, 2020 at 3:49 pm PDT

    Sony please fix the update 8.00 why do you have to be spying on us im not being a jerk its just that why are you invading our privacy now joining your friends sessions is harder please fix this

  • riser_games
    October 15, 2020 at 3:49 pm PDT

    Sony please fix the update 8.00 why do you have to be spying on us im not being a jerk its just that why are you invading our privacy now joining your friends sessions is harder please fix this.

  • dunkinblonuts
    October 15, 2020 at 3:52 pm PDT

    I’m sorry but this last update is terrible! Give us communities and the party chat back. What was the thought behind this because it seems like it wasn’t thought through very well. On top of that players are able to record our voice whenever they want regardless of our consent? I can see almost everyone I know moving to Discord because of this update, that’s where our community is going. Now our voices are recorded regardless of our consent? This is getting ridiculous, it’s almost a joke!

  • dunkinblonuts
    October 15, 2020 at 4:09 pm PDT

    After reading the comments it seems unanimous that your last update to 8.00 was a complete failure in the eyes of the PlayStation Community. The question now is how long will it take for you to realize this and revert back to the last version? Listen to what the community wants!

  • fruit_l0o0op1
    October 15, 2020 at 4:11 pm PDT

    Messaging just doesn’t work for me. I can receive messages but it won’t allow me to send them. Other players say they got a message but it’s just an empty box. I didn’t have this problem until the update.

  • its_mf_j-rod
    October 15, 2020 at 4:12 pm PDT

    Can the joining party chats plz be fix

  • nightshad0w848
    October 15, 2020 at 4:12 pm PDT

    This update is not only a step back but it’s trash. What are you thinking Sony? I’m so frustrated that I can not have privacy in party chat anymore and I DO NOT consent to being recorded in party chat. I truly hope that this isn’t the case for the PS5 because if it is I’m not getting one and that’s frustrating because you have the better game exclusives and I don’t want an Xbox but I may as well switch. If you guys don’t fix this for both the PS4 and PS5 you’re gonna lose a lot of business and lose to this new generation of gaming to Microsoft. If you guys decide to stick with this because you think you’re right, I can garuntee you’re not and am very mistaken. So please consider how f’d up you made things for your future. I’ve been with y’all since the PS2 and I’m ashamed I’ll have to switch to Xbox this generation.

  • jbrooks777
    October 15, 2020 at 4:20 pm PDT

    Dont really care either way. Even if it is new or old I don’t feel like signing away freedom of privacy just for a party chat. The combining of messages and chat is stupid. Nothing like having 200 message groups already with adding one everytime i join a party. I don’t know what they were thinking with this but I guess x-Box is the next option. I can’t believe that the brand I’ve played for 12 years is going in this direction of suppressing what we say or do in a party. I don’t even talk anymore when I join a party. I can’t say cyberbulling is that big a problem on ps4 just block em and don’t deal with them. Social media is where that’s happening not in party chats. This quite possibly killed a lot of you’re future chances of people buying a ps5. If this is a continuous thing I can’t reccommend it too anyone. And the recording of me by others isn’t something I would say has got me really excited at all. You know how much is going to be taken out of context and an hour later you get banned and have no idea why. Wow way to kill you’re population a bit.

  • mattharipp3r84
    October 15, 2020 at 4:24 pm PDT

    you don’t need to give people the option to record party chats. If someone gets harassed they can leave the party, or kick/block the user, mute user within party.

    we have options. And in most cases when you join a party you’re with friends.. the only time stuff gets heated is community random groups sometimes people will get shirty. but they can leave, mute.. block etc

    you’re allowing for the creation of witch hunts. for no reason whatsoever.

  • anon_eh_moose
    October 15, 2020 at 4:38 pm PDT

    Y’all need to stop recording private conversations. Immediately.

  • scarpsychic
    October 15, 2020 at 4:40 pm PDT

    Pls give back the kick button to party’s it’s dumb

  • falseprophet3
    October 15, 2020 at 4:42 pm PDT

    Why on earth do you need a blue ray disc drive for any of the new updates tell me this sony when was the last time you baught a dvd be honest or a hard copy of anything on disc its been over three years for me and nothing I read about the new updates has anything to do with the disc drive so why is a outdated and almost completely useless tech needed to go online tell me why I should I have to buy a new blue ray drive to play games I already paid for or to enjoy the product you already have been paid for tell me what makes that okay it’s just not it is strong arm robbery because you have literally taken products and services I already paid for unless I give you money for new hardware I don’t have a use for and already paid for once I believe that you owe me online services which I pay for I am a psplus member 3 years now and I can’t access any of my online games that I have paid for and paid for battle pass as well you have literally taken thousands of dollars worth of products and services that is robbery

  • nysbailiff
    October 15, 2020 at 4:45 pm PDT

    This update made things very confusing. I can no longer see my friends party chats unless we are in a group text together making inviting someone into your party difficult. Community groups should be able to prevent Unwanted people From joining.

  • slapntz_mccoy
    October 15, 2020 at 4:48 pm PDT

    If you no longer wanted to create videogame consoles and wanted to stick to your other ventures, you could have just told us.

    What does the PlayStation have that Xbox does not? At this time, I believe the current answer is “Less….. Oh and also Spider-Man”

    I believe we’ve discovered the winner for the next console war, and it isn’t Sony.

  • ttv_ta283nk
    October 15, 2020 at 4:59 pm PDT

    Get rid of the ability to record party’s and chats. It is a invasion of privacy. It should not have been added in the first place. This was just added because some kids are bad and get beat in fortnite 1v1s all the time and go ballistic and try to report someone for nothing. They need to learn that everyone loses and the only way to fix that is by putting in the practice and getting good at the game like the people that beat them did. This just makes all the people like me that want to have freedom in our party’s and be able to say what we want, not able to be possible. I have been a PS fan my whole life, I have over 40 games for my ps4. Until you guys added this. If this is not fixed I will be getting rid on my ps4 and my games. And I know so many other people that are doing the same. Also, I will not be buying any PS products ever again including the ps5 and I know alot of people that are doing the same to. But I do believe in second chances. So please fix this.

  • nich900
    October 15, 2020 at 5:02 pm PDT

    Can you please tell me why PlayStation need to moderate a private chat that is why we make a private chat and everyone in there understands not to get Offended by what is said don’t need big brother looking over my shoulder making sure that no one gets their feelings hurt

  • Br0k3nD1g1t
    October 15, 2020 at 5:04 pm PDT

    I feel like they are invading my privacy by recording me, and I do understand why they are doing it but if anyone is like me I feel like its invading, and thats not fun for me at all. The fact that they are going to allow another user to record my voice is ridiculous I may not want someone to record my voice and put it on another media.

    • Br0k3nD1g1t
      October 15, 2020 at 5:14 pm PDT

      If they do plan on keeping this on Playstation, I will not buy a PS5 I will move to Xbox or PC. I’m waiting it out to see if they will fix this horrible decision. Pls make it right Playstation.

  • Br0k3nD1g1t
    October 15, 2020 at 5:09 pm PDT

    I won’t want another player to be able record my voice. They are essentially giving people the power to get you banned. Which gives them the power to take away your Playstation that you payed for, and I find that to be wrong. People get mad over getting killed in a game, now that person has the power to take your Playstation from you. It makes no sense at all why wh.

  • Br0k3nD1g1t
    October 15, 2020 at 5:15 pm PDT

    If they do plan on keeping this on Playstation, I will not buy a PS5 I will move to Xbox or PC. I’m waiting it out to see if they will fix this horrible decision. Pls make it right Playstation.

    • oracle_rainbowz
      October 15, 2020 at 7:56 pm PDT

      Dude if i may make a suggestion repost your post everyday a few times a day and get people to agree with you

  • goldy_magbrat
    October 15, 2020 at 5:31 pm PDT

    Its impressive that an update meant to modernize and create a comfortable atmosphere within party chat has instead dissuaded thousands of gamers from playing social games. I will say, my favorite thing about playstation was playing in communities, meeting new friends, and enjoying the social interaction. Now, considering I have no desire to have my privacy invaded, I will not be joining any parties or playing in any public matches until this situation is resolved. My decision to purchase the PS5 console has also been put on hold. I am very disappointed with these changes and sincerely hope Sony changes the party system back to how it was before.

  • itzmeggy
    October 15, 2020 at 5:34 pm PDT

    this update is weird af. im getting way too much errors, and the fact that theres a option to record parties, or even recording parties in general really is spooky. Just imagine how much this can be abused by other players and playstation. And the fact that a big company is doing this, but says its only for moderation is not believable at all. My friends are messed up af and i think me, my friends, and every sane person would like there chats to be private. The fact that they just admitted to being able to record party audio really is putting me over the edge. You honestly cant believe what they say, (especially giant companies like sony) because anyone can lie about everything. or maybe im just hella paranoid lol

  • tyysold
    October 15, 2020 at 5:40 pm PDT

    By far the worst update to come. I came from Xbox because my fan broke but I would rather buy the new Xbox than the PS5 if I can’t even join my everyday friends party without calling to tell them add me to a group. Need the party system to go back how it was there isn’t even a party leader so if a booter joins you can’t kick them.

  • maximum_willy
    October 15, 2020 at 5:50 pm PDT

    this is the worst possible update you could have put in, it makes the entire system such a pain to use, the messages system was always useless and combining them with the party system just makes me want to by an xbox. Completely ruined the ease and fun of ps4, cant just go and raid my other mates parties or do anything fun, i stg yall stupid

    • oracle_rainbowz
      October 15, 2020 at 7:51 pm PDT

      I agree i love raiding mu friends parties funny thing is it prevented from connecting with other players very well which was the whole point of this bs update

  • thegamedemon159
    October 15, 2020 at 5:53 pm PDT

    This update started causing major issues to my ps4 performance and external hard drive. To the point where the ps4 is deeming it “corrupted” and fixing it every time i restart my ps4. At times in the MENU it freezes when im trying to get to settings or see if a game functions after the hard drive fixes.

  • tommy-klik
    October 15, 2020 at 5:56 pm PDT

    You’re making it very hard to like the user experience by removing the normal party system. You’re even linking it to the group and message system that I’ve been trying to avoid as much as possible… Strange and annoying move, Sony.

  • dunkinblonuts
    October 15, 2020 at 5:58 pm PDT

    Simplified and more flexible Parental Controls….

    Sony wants to be our parents and monitor party chat now. Simply ridiculous and flexible enough to kick you at any time for joking around with your friends.

  • vdolodayday
    October 15, 2020 at 5:59 pm PDT

    Mane this update is terrible and if this is how the ps5 gonna be I’m not buying it. Talkin bout “yall keeping the Ps4 in line with the Ps5” I’m not buying the ps5 no cap. I heard some lil kid killed they self on the mic that’s why they did it. And if that’s true why would y’all do this that wouldn’t let his friends help him or let him talk to anyone to help him

  • vdolodayday
    October 15, 2020 at 6:11 pm PDT

    Ong and I seen SPIDER-MAN MILES MARALES and I WANNA SEE THE GRAPHICS ON PS5 AND IF YALL DO THIS SHXT IM NOT GETTING PS5 AND IM NOT BUYING IT ON PS4

  • vdolodayday
    October 15, 2020 at 6:12 pm PDT

    Donald Trump tryna ban TikTok BAN SONY🤣

    • oracle_rainbowz
      October 15, 2020 at 7:45 pm PDT

      If trump banned sony then every american sony lover/ loyalist would be encouraged to buy an xbox which may whomever does that might not like xbox for a specific reason

  • cloki825
    October 15, 2020 at 6:22 pm PDT

    This update broke my PS4! I turn on my ps4 and an error screen pops up. My controllers won’t connect for some reason so I can’t get off of that screen! Can someone help I cannot get in contact with anyone at PlayStation!?

    • oracle_rainbowz
      October 15, 2020 at 7:42 pm PDT

      Damn that sucks bro but because sony technically broke you ps4 you can probably demand a free repair from em

  • repoman619216
    October 15, 2020 at 6:56 pm PDT

    The party chat system sucks now i cant talk to my friends anymore and its all based on the messaging now which is horrible i dont even know why someone would do something this dumb but yet here we are

  • sugardaddy149
    October 15, 2020 at 6:58 pm PDT

    This update is just a bummer and in my opinion just should never have happened

  • xineeeyy
    October 15, 2020 at 6:59 pm PDT

    Forgot to add in my original comment, but…

    I honestly find it a step back that in order to create a party, you must go through messages first. I’d rather just go through my list/custom like it was in the previous update. It looks as if it’s gonna be an extra step to create a new text group chat just to invite a group of people.

    Also, according to those who have the update, if I mute someone in the party, I can’t hear them but they can still hear me? Why did you guys update it like that, it makes no sense. The whole point of muting that person is so that you don’t hear EACH OTHER. They should not be able to hear me at all.

  • awwimamerica
    October 15, 2020 at 7:17 pm PDT

    They need to put the party settings back to how they were . the recording is whatever but i can’t even see what friends of mine are in a party . and they can’t see if i’m in one it’s just dumb and it’s a long process they need to change it this update was unnecessary

  • oracle_rainbowz
    October 15, 2020 at 7:39 pm PDT

    I agree with all those who think the new update is a step backwards and because of what the update did i now have one more reason the buy the next gen xbox when it comes but ill still play on my ps4 but im now finding it hard trying to connect with other psn users harder the reason for the update however if sony could revert to the old party system or add some the same functions from the old setup thatd be great but the functions im referring to are the pubic/private option and being able to mute a single or multiple peoples mic alot like checking off which specific notifications to delete

    • oracle_rainbowz
      October 15, 2020 at 8:08 pm PDT

      I read comment on here from a guy talking about a kid who committed suicide because he couldnt talk to his friends because of ps4 update 8.00 if anyone has died and lost their only hope to keep them from commited suicide cause of then every suicide should be considered technically as a murder by sony

  • lucifer_twb
    October 15, 2020 at 7:40 pm PDT

    I had and used private partys for a reason

  • zorkus
    October 15, 2020 at 7:41 pm PDT

    Since the update, my son cannot even start Fortnite due the parental control…
    I decide what it’s good for him…not Sony!
    Rollout the update…or refund me my prepaid card

  • oracle_rainbowz
    October 15, 2020 at 7:54 pm PDT

    100% fact and if theres any evidence its the comment of people in this comment section

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