PS5 beta rolls out today with new accessibility and audio options, social features, and UI enhancements

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PS5 beta rolls out today with new accessibility and audio options, social features, and UI enhancements

Invited beta participants from select countries can test new PS5 features.

With each PlayStation 5 system software release, we’ve introduced new features designed to enhance the many ways you can access your favorite content, navigate your console, or create new gaming memories with friends. Today, we’re thrilled to roll out a new PS5 system software beta that introduces new accessibility features as well as audio options that allow 3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech to be enjoyed on compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as sound bars, TVs, or home theater systems. The beta also includes more options to quickly find games and console tips, new ways to connect with other players and customize your multiplayer sessions, and support for larger-capacity M.2 SSDs (up to 8TB).

While beta access will be limited to invited participants in select countries*, we plan to release the update globally later this year. If you’re selected to participate in the beta, you’ll receive an email invitation today when it’s available to download. Some features available during the beta phase may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes.

Without further ado, here are some of the highlights from the beta release:

New Accessibility Features

Use a Second Controller for Assistance. You can now assign a second controller to one account as an assist controller, and use two controllers to operate your PS5 console as if you were using a single controller. This feature introduces a new way for you to enjoy games collaboratively with others or help a friend or child navigate a particularly challenging section of a game.

  • To use an assist controller, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Controllers] > [Use Second Controller for Assistance], and then turn on [Use Assist Controller].
  • You can use an assist controller when your main controller is a DualSense or DualSense Edge wireless controller, or a PS5-supported third-party controller.**
PS5 UI screenshot showing the option to use a second controller for assistance.

System UI Haptic Feedback. You now have the option to turn on haptic feedback effects while navigating your PS5 with your DualSense controller, DualSense Edge controller, or PS VR2 Sense controller.

  • When enabled, system sound effects for certain events will also be reflected physically through haptics, such as moving focus, reaching the end limit of a scrollable section, checking a box, or when you receive a notification or boot up a game. This optional feature enhances immersion and is particularly useful for players with some level of sight or hearing disability, who appreciate the additional feedback on their inputs.
  • To turn on this feature, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Controllers], and then turn on [Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation].

Support for compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled audio devices

3D Audio powered by Tempest 3D AudioTech can now be enjoyed by those who own compatible Dolby Atmos-enabled HDMI devices such as soundbars, TVs or home theater systems. Tempest 3D AudioTech specifically renders to the Dolby Atmos audio devices in use – including overhead channels – allowing for even greater levels of immersion in the audioscapes of PS5 games. ***

  • To turn on Dolby Atmos, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output] > [Audio Format (Priority)], and then select [Dolby Atmos].
PS5 UI screenshot showing the option to select Dolby Atmos.

Social feature enhancements

Party UI update. You can now invite a player into a closed party without automatically adding the player into the group or creating a new group. Additionally, players can now send open or closed party invitations to groups instead of only individual players.

PS5 UI screenshot showing a party invitation during gameplay of Astro's Playroom.

Share Screen Preview. When someone’s sharing their screen in a party that you can join, you’ll now see a preview image of their Share Screen, even before you enter the party.

PS5 UI screen showing a Share Screen preview image.

Join friends’ game sessions easily. You can now easily see which of your friends are in an activity you can join under the [Friends] tab.

  • The Joinable icon will be displayed next to friends who are playing a game you can join.
  • You can join a friend’s game directly by pressing the options button and selecting [Join Game], or by selecting the ”Join” button on their profile card.

Game Hub tournaments tile. In the game hub, you can now see how many tournaments you’ve entered and the highest place you’ve achieved, as well as the start time for the next tournament. You can select the tile to see the full tournament list.

PS5 UI screen showing the new tournaments tile in the game hub for MLB The Show 23.

React to messages with emojis. You can now add reactions to messages with emojis, which makes communicating with friends quicker and easier.

PS5 UI screen showing the option to react to messages with emojis.

Ease-of-use features

Search for games in your library. You can now search for games within your game library.

PS5 UI screen showing the option to search for games in your library.

Game Help improvements. Game Help cards have been improved.****

  • In addition to in-progress activities, you can now see available, previously available, upcoming, and completed activities.
  • When a card is selected, its details are now displayed on the right side of the card, making it easier to find objectives and their corresponding hints.
PS5 UI screen showing the newly enhanced Game Help cards.

Discover new features. Browse useful tips for getting the most out of your PS5 and learn about new features in the new Discover Tips section.

  • Go to [Settings] > [Guide & Tips, Health & Safety, and Other Information] > [Guide and Tips], and then select [Discover Tips] to view all the tips.

Mute PS5 beep sound. You can now mute or adjust the volume of the PS5’s beep sound when turning it on or off, or putting it in rest mode.

  • Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep Sound].
  • To adjust the beep sound volume, select [Volume].
  • To mute the beep sound, turn on [Mute Beep Sound].

Support for larger-capacity M.2 SSDs

You can now use an M.2 SSD with a maximum capacity of 8TB (up from the previous 4TB limit) to expand storage space on your PS5 console.

Important: M.2 SSDs must meet the requirements outlined on this page. Please read the page linked above carefully before purchasing any M.2 SSDs for use with your PS5.

We always appreciate hearing your feedback as we continue our journey to enhance the PS5 user experience. Please let us know what you think in the comments section below!

*PS5 beta access will be available to selected participants in the U.S., Canada, Japan, U.K., Germany and France (same countries as our last system software beta).
**A DualSense Edge wireless controller cannot be used as an assist controller. Some of the DualSense features, such as motion sensor, haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, will be automatically turned off when the controller is being used as an assist controller.
***Media app providers can update their apps on PS5 to support Dolby Atmos audio, giving users another way to experience immersive audio in movies, TV shows, and more in the future (these app updates are not currently supported in the PS5 beta.)
****A PlayStation Plus subscription is required to use Game Help.

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299 Comments

  • Is the adjusting of the iconic BEEP SOUND available now?
    I don’t see it in my settings menu.

    Go to [Settings] > [System] > [Beep Sound].

  • Good job on the happtic feedback you really jumped two step forward in consol war.
    The problem I have with ps consol is when you moving a game you can’t use the consol anymore .this must change as soon as possible.

  • THE PS5 NEEDS 21:9\ULTRA WIDE(monitor)SUPPORT!!!

    (21:9\UW aspect ratios are INTEGRAL to modern gaming – as PC ported PS games would prove)

    Not only will same add IMMERSION to gamers who choose to use them, UW support on the PS5(& future consoles – ehem)would allow for more screen ‘real estate’ with Split Screen Gaming & Most Importantly, UW support will increase PlayStation’s player base, as those who routinely purchase mid to low budget PCs for gaming will see\have a more affordable & versatile & dependable gaming device option in the PS5, without having to sacrifice their beloved aspect ratio(s), & switch from PC to PS(5) gaming…

    PLEASE ADD 21:9\UW to PlayStation’s versatility(& let me know what you decide – don’t leave me hanging\waiting in vain) – THANKS!!!

  • Nice!! I’ll keep an eye on my inbox. I’d like to try out the Dolby Atmos support

  • Is there a place to sign up to be a beta tester? I thought I was but I’ve not been invited to any of the testings.

  • These are very nice features , the devs have done a wonderful job. But one more thing please….. Give us the option to disable the ‘Game Progress’. Many of us including me are annoyed from this feature because we consider this feature as a spoiler because don’t want to know how much of the game we have completed . It’s like reading a book and you an annoying number in the cover art of the book telling you how much pages there are left to read each time you want to continue reading the book . I know it sounds dumb for some but nobody will be hurt if you add this as an option for the people who want to disable it . Please do something Sony devs…. Thank you for your time!

  • it would be nice to get extended storage support where we can put ps5 games on the storage device

    • You can put PS5 games in external storage already. You just can’t play them directly from it because the bandwidth is not high enough over USB. If they had USB4/Thunderbolt 4 ports, then this would be an option, but that won’t be a thing until likely the next gen consoles

  • Playstation get it together, why are we putting updates on the console that will further burn my battery use on the controller the feature shouldn’t be a thing you finding ways to extend the battery life not ways to decrease it like WTF an get the socials features better on the console its trash like are y’all doing in this software department

  • Can we PLEASE I MEAN PLEASE get a web browser

    • They’ll never have a browser on any Playstation system going forward as apparently that was how hackers broke open Vita.

      No browser, no risk.

    • They have already clarified that PS5 will never receive a browser. Why do you need browser in a console even though you have a smartphone ? Do you want your console to get hacked ?

  • Thanks for that! When can we expect the addition to Discord of the possibility to join Channel without the use of a phone on PS5 as it is available on Xbox for some time now?
    One would think that PlayStation having some share in Discord would benefit it more than Xbox, but it is the other way around at the moment.
    Hope to see this addition soon for a better communication experience with multi platform games like Diablo 4 and FFXIV!

    • I would love to see Discord as well! It was so nice when Xbox integrated it into their party system, and it’s so seamless to use!

  • Here we are in 2023 and we still have these meaningless trophies for what exactly?

    At least give the option to delete them for the games you know longer own or wish to ever play again regardless of the 0 -100%

    Some of these games in my library are complete Pants , need to delete this clutter.

    I much prefer in game unlockables over stupid trophies.

    • Trophies and/or achievements create brand loyalty for those invested in them.

      I understand your frustration but if you don’t care about them just turn the trophy notification off and don’t look at your trophy list.

      If you can’t stay away from looking at your trophy list, maybe you care more about them than you think?

    • 99% of the consoles and pc user base like trophies and achievements . So they will never disappear . You can easily ignore them

  • Any chance on adding Dolby vision in a future update

  • Where are the options for our trophy list like we had on PS3 and Vita?

    You can sort the whole trophy list by name A-Z and Vita even had sorting options like ‘Progress’ ‘A-Z’ and even by each ‘Format’ so we could sort all our Trophies from PS3, Vita, PS4 etc.

    And that was on the Vita on DAY ONE.

    PS4 still has ZERO sorting options and now neither does PS5. The only thing you gave us with PS5 trophy list was to change the game icon to 1×1 after we had THREE generations having 16×9 icons.

    So now the trophy list looks absolutely awful.

    For the love of God, give us sorting options for our entire trophy collection. The only sort options you gave us was IN each games Trophies.

    That’s just completely useless. We want the same trophy list sort options that we had with PS3 and Vita.

    I have to go outside of my PS5 to check my Trophies on PSN profiles or an android app.

    I shouldn’t have to do that.

    You completely destroyed trophies on PS5, please just give us something to redeem them.

    PLEASE give us sort options for our trophy collections.

  • Gosh I wish we could put themes in addition to grouping games by folders like it was on playstation 4, something along those lines, I hope this update arrives soon in Brazil!

  • Would be nice to have the option to be able to update games from within the library, instead of starting a game only for there to be an update.

    An option to check for updates for all/selected games would be good too

  • The Dolby Atmos (home theater integration) compatibility with tempest audio 3d was something I inquiried several times since the ps5 was announced. Could share how much bandwitch each audio format outputs?

  • Please add freesync support.

  • Looks like a solid update. It would be great to add audio profiles for games unless this is possible already? The audio is so varied between games / game chat.

  • Please add the ability to physically back up our PS5 save data and freely use bluetooth headsets. Ty

    • Physical save backup is something that should have been around since PS4. Never made sense to me why we can only save it to the cloud, especially since it’s only a few MBs

  • Wot are you doing with psvr2 I’d love some information F1 23? is ps5 not capable

  • Wish there would be better features. These honestly are such lack luster updates being pushed out. And then we have to wait another year or 6 months for another update like this.

    What should happen. Dolby vision support, 8K media app support, themes, folders on home, media tab overhaul, explore tab overhaul, more game info like on PS4, PlayStation home 2, option in parental settings to remove kids from family whenever (without waiting until 18,) keep media gallery and remote play pinned at the right side of the Home Screen (and hide them in the library,) better share button screen (with more options for social medias,) better web browser support and browser new app, introduce applications for social medias even.

    These would be some features that you guys could add but no, 8TB SSD support for $1,000 SSDs.

  • Am I the only one that didn’t get all these new features even though I updated the system software? Playstation can you fix this problem for me?

  • Did it go live yet? Have the invites been sent?

  • Nice!

  • I really like the idea behind the accessibility feature “ enjoy games collaboratively with others or help a friend or child navigate a particularly challenging section of a game.” I have a young child that love Grand Turismo but cannot steer. Having this feature would allow me to steer while they press the gas button. Really expand the possibilities of connection with those we game with.

  • How about bringing back a friends-based news feed like the PS4 had so we can see what our friends have been playing, what trophies they’ve been getting, and what video clips they share?

  • MUTE BEEP SOUND LET’S GOOOOO

    Now we just need the ability to disable all cards, and the game progress percentage indicator, and all other types of spoiler, and also the ability to have the controller microphone muted without an LED shining in the player’s face.

    After that (should take a day or two), I think the next most important thing is to make the console send the “TV please turn on” HDMI-CEC command earlier in the boot/wake process. Xbox sends the signal very early and it’s great because my TV’s pretty slow to turn on.

    Finally, PLEASE plagiarize Xbox quick resume. It feels so primitive to not be able to switch games without going all the way out too the main menu, losing unsaved progress, waiting for loading etc.

    So, good that you can mute the beep sound now, but it’s been almost 3 years since the PS5 came out and you’ve still got a HUGE amount of work to do. Get to it.

    • I would love to see Sony’s version if quick resume, but I think there is some legal barrier to it due to Microsoft having a trademark or something along those lines

  • Can we get backgrounds and themes back?

  • Best PlayStation feature was = “Only On PlayStation”

    TRAITORS

    • Yeah those were the days what about “best place to play” notice they don’t say that anymore like they don’t even care about their own brand

  • Gyro aiming system-wide accessibility would be great. Just like steam input.

  • Please, Please, Please bring back Dynamic Themes so We all can each have different sceneries of personalities on our consoles Because at the moment the UI just feels so dull for $550 Machine!! At least before the end of this year, You can do that For us Right? you’re beloved Playstation Users, Thank’s

  • Will you be adding further support for AMD FreeSync in this update? My gaming monitor is perfectly capable when plugged in to my PC but it’s really disappointing to lose that functionality on PS5.

    • I second the request for FreeSync capability! Many of us have TVs (like my LG C2) or monitors that have FreeSync, which is better than simple VRR like we have now. If Xbox can do it, so can Sony. I would specifically like to see Freesync Premium and Pro added along with it!

  • Tempest via Atmos AND mute beep sound?! Best update I could’ve hoped for 😄

  • When are we gonna be able to play games from the external storage without having to move them back to the system?

  • antza_mantza1406

    THEMES, PLEASE JUST GIVE US BACK THEMES!

  • thegreatgrahamsy

    Custom wallpapers would be nice but 2 things I’d love to see.

    Being able to view someone’s shared video gameplay while in a streaming app.

    And party watch like what the new Xbox live experience had back in early 2000’s.

  • We just want themes back to be honest

  • When are yall going to update the ugly main trophy UI? Make the main game tiles bigger so we can actually see them, and get rid of the square outline around the PS3/PS4 rectangular main trophy tiles. It’s been three years its time.

  • Thanks for finally adding Dolby Atmos – 3D audio support beyond headphones and TV and not forgetting about us who game with home theater setups! I have been waiting for this since launch! Not to be greedy, but can we get DTS X codec for games too? And Dolby Vision gaming would be nice. Thanks!

  • DOLBY ATMOS oh my god thank you so much. Not gonna lie, lack of Atmos support and 1440p support was one of the big reasons why I sold my PS5 but these last few updates are making me regret it a bit.
    Seems i just buy a PS5 whenever Insomniac releases a game and then sell it. Maybe Spiderman 2 i’ll keep it this time lmao

    • 1440p support has been really good for the past 6 (?) months or so. Atmos was definitely a great addition though!

  • Add multiple download same time like ps4 and delete silly copying after download. We have super fast ssd and some game updates copying 30mins…

  • These are pretty good features, but PlayStation Stars integrated in the PS5 and PS5 UI Themes would be awesome.

    Not knocking the new features, Haptic Feedback while you’re in the PS5 Menu is a nice little feature.

    • PlayStation Stars is basically the trophy shelf PlayStation Home was supposed to get from our current “trophies” system, and then they don’t even put them on a PlayStation console itself…

  • can you please add web browser like on ps4

  • FINALLY YOU HAVE FIXED THE BEEP!!! And not just a mute, but even specific volumes, very nice

  • Sounds like some good changes, still hoping we get Themes and a share to smart device feature like the Switch has eventually. One year at a time

  • Still no Music Visualiser like we could enjoy on the PS3. Tskkkkkkkk…..

  • I have installed the beta and the Dolby Atmos addition for soundbar / home theatre is a big upgrade – GT7 with helicopter flying over your head or God of War with enemies and other creatures surrounding you from all angles and above. Thank you Sony!

    P.s. I hope they will add Atmos also to remote play for example on iPad/iPhone or Project Q.

  • Now that Dolby Atmos has arrived, we could see Atmos also on remote play but more importantly using PSVR2 to watch movies.

    In the last few days Sony has launched a lot of discounts and hopefully PSVR2 will get it as well.

  • For the Party UI update, it would be really cool if you could add a feature that allows you to create a private party room with someone while you are currently in a large party. This would allow 2 people to quickly switch over and have a private conversation and then switch back once they are done. This would be similar to the chat rooms in Discord

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