New PS5 System Software update features audio focus and the return of the classic console UI customizations

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New PS5 System Software update features audio focus and the return of the classic console UI customizations

Includes a new feature for amplifying audio and classic console designs for the PS5 home screen.

Shuzo Kikuchi VP of Product Management, Sony Interactive Entertainment

We continue to work behind the scenes to bring new enhancements to the PS5 experience, and today we are excited to announce two key additions based on player feedback – audio focus  and the return of the classic console designs for the PS5 UI.

The PS5 system update will roll out globally in a phased approach, starting April 24.

Here are details of the new features:

Audio Focus

Audio focus increases immersion by providing presets to amplify soft sounds to meet your hearing preferences, ensuring a clearer audio experience when using headphones or headsets. This feature supports broader accessibility in audio experiences.

New PS5 System Software update features audio focus and the return of the classic console UI customizations

When the audio focus setting is turned on, you can choose from a range of preset options which makes it easier to distinguish sounds like in-game character dialogue, subtle sound effects such as footsteps and rustling grass, as well as voices in party chats for a more immersive gaming experience.

●  To enable audio focus, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Volume] > [Audio Focus]. This feature can also be accessed from the Control Center, so you can easily adjust the settings during gameplay.

●  You can choose from four preset focus type options for which sounds to boost:

  • Boost Low Pitch:  Amplify low-frequency sounds like roaring engines and rumbling noises.
  • Boost Voices: Amplify voice chats, character voices, and other middle-frequency sounds.
  • Boost High Pitch: Amplify high-frequency sounds like footsteps and metallic noises.
  • Boost Quiet Sounds: Amplify low-volume sounds in a wide range of frequencies.

●  You can set the level of support for each preset type from three different levels (Weak, Medium, Strong).

●  Additionally, you can also choose to adjust the level of support for the preset for Left / Right channels separately to meet your specific preferences.

●  The audio focus feature is available when using headphones connected via USB or analog jack. It is not supported for HDMI connections through TV, AV receivers or soundbars.

PS5 UI screenshots showing audio focus settings menu

Classic console designs for the PS5 UI returns

During our 30th anniversary celebrations, we surprised our fans with a limited time selection of nostalgic customization features for the PS5 System UI to honor the four PlayStation consoles that paved the way for PS5: PlayStation, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation 4.

Due to the overwhelmingly positive response from our community, we’re happy to bring back the look and feel of the four console designs for players to customize the home screen on PS5!

Classic console designs main menu customization

This feature will be called the Appearance, and can be accessed under the Settings menu.

Appearance and Sound settings menu

We’re excited to bring the update to you and would love to hear your thoughts on them. Which features are you looking forward to seeing? Share your comments below!

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93 Comments

  • Pedrof_Shelter
    April 23, 2025 at 1:16 pm PDT

    Please add the ability to invert both the sticks axises (X and Y) separately in the Dual Sense Edge custom profiles.

  • rabidbit
    April 23, 2025 at 1:23 pm PDT

    Would you please release a “1994 Edition” of the PS5 Pro for those who missed out on the 30th Anniversary edition (and make enough so everyone who wants one can get one)?

  • ohmyforce
    April 23, 2025 at 1:23 pm PDT

    Please, can we have the startup Sound and Graphics from the PlayStation?

    Pure nostalgia, of a simpler time.

  • JGfan24
    April 23, 2025 at 1:25 pm PDT

    Thanks Sony for bringing back the classic themes I can’t wait try the audio settings on my ps5
    Thanks again Sony PlayStation team

  • skylar-7
    April 23, 2025 at 1:32 pm PDT

    Thank you Sony for these changes. I also suggest you fix the most annoying feature: I can’t get voice chats (GTAV) on my TV speakers. Instead I hate the stupid design of the weak speaker/mic in the controller unless I use my Turtle Beach headset. I think on the PS3 all voice/gamer audio was available through the TV HDMI. In other words: the PS5 screen/audio design is a big mess/disappointment. PS5: two steps backwards.

  • RealStAmant
    April 23, 2025 at 1:34 pm PDT

    Is the PS5 getting Dolby Vision support for blu-rays and games anytime soon?

  • yamiyugi09
    April 23, 2025 at 1:54 pm PDT

    This is nice & all but I want the ability to play Play Station 1,2 & 3 games on my PS5. They’re aren’t a lot benefits for users who don’t have PS Plus the price of PS Plus is too high if you ask me. Please give us the option to purchase/play PS1,PS2 & PS3 games

  • sam_prosmasher
    April 23, 2025 at 2:04 pm PDT

    Sony, I’m so proud of you for re-implementing the PS5 retro themes. Here’s a list of my favorites.

    🥇 PlayStation 4
    🥈 PlayStation 2
    🥉 PlayStation
    🏅 PlayStation 3

    • REALROBLAW
      April 23, 2025 at 4:29 pm PDT

      PS4 theme and start up are very generic. PS3 on later firmware bootup sequence wasn’t as good as the launch version of the PS3 OS.

  • Superstone
    April 23, 2025 at 2:14 pm PDT

    Fix your backwards compatibility and you’ll have the perfect console

  • skateb1rd
    April 23, 2025 at 2:22 pm PDT

    I cannot access the new appearance or accessibility settings and my console claims it is up to date for both features and system software. Is there a fix?

  • asunayukki234
    April 23, 2025 at 2:29 pm PDT

    as some one who plays and played alot of ps2 growing up ps2 was the best playstation so glad this is now a feature massive change

  • ddsikz
    April 23, 2025 at 2:38 pm PDT

    When exiting team chats, the team is not deleted. Re-entering the team repeatedly causes the menu to become completely disorganized. After leaving a voice chat, there should be an option to delete the team. This is a necessary feature.

  • uriel_17sn
    April 23, 2025 at 2:41 pm PDT

    Great work PS5!,but I do suggest to see more car games in subscriptions like motorfest,grid legends,fh5,another car games

  • guitarhero6127
    April 23, 2025 at 3:19 pm PDT

    Hey sie PlayStation I recentlylpre ordered the days gone game on ps 5 pro why should customers pay separately for the add-ons for the a on for the days gone game? Do you think that should be free with the preorder game?

  • shadowxghostly
    April 23, 2025 at 3:32 pm PDT

    FINALLY The Classic Themes Are BACK! Glad PlayStation Actually Cares About The Features We All Suggest, I Really Hope That We Will Be Finally Able To Copy PS5 Game Data To A USB Rather Than Being Forced To Use PS Plus Cloud Storage, Would Also Be Cool For PlayStation To Have A Setting That Lets Your Welcome Hub Wallpaper Be Used Instead Of The Game Wallpaper When Highlighting Games On The Home Screen.

  • REALROBLAW
    April 23, 2025 at 4:28 pm PDT

    YES!!! Thanks for bringing back themes! I’m hoping you will give us the boot up themes to choose from too!
    As far as audio goes, I’m glad you are trying to improve it but also the surround sound profile calibration tool in the settings is really bad. It doesn’t allow you to really show on the surround map the actual direction you are hearing the sound effects fly by on the calibration. Why can’t we have accurate pinpoint sound mapping? I thought that’s what PS5 is supposed to be able to do. As is, many games you can’t hear well enough enemies who come up behind you when games are supposed to be using the system’s surround features. It jeopardizes the gameplay experience. I really hope you fix that.

  • caseno1
    April 23, 2025 at 4:57 pm PDT

    Love this for Us..Stepping in a new direction

  • wexlad35
    April 23, 2025 at 5:09 pm PDT

    I hope I’m not alone in this, but I would like to see the RESUME ACTIVITY option restored, I hate having to go through the startup menus every time. It was a great feature to just jump back in.

  • SLAENERMAN64
    April 23, 2025 at 5:14 pm PDT

    Beautiful update sony 💙🤍💙

  • jwalter87
    April 23, 2025 at 5:25 pm PDT

    Thank you Sony!

  • SphereTubeBox
    April 23, 2025 at 5:40 pm PDT

    Good additions! Thanks! But I have a request for a future update…

    PLEASE separate the screenshot/snapshot capture sound effect from the system menu sounds!! I’ve always wanted this… I would like to be able to hear that a capture was successful without having to check, while also having home menu sound effects set to silent.

    Another idea is to add the ability to use L2 and R2 to jump to the far left and right of the home screen, like how PS4 used L1 and R1 to do this. But it would also be nice to let the user decide to invert/flip this behavior to allow L1/R1 to do the left to right jump and have R1/R2 do the switching between Games and Media.

    Thanks!

  • foxhoundtiger
    April 23, 2025 at 6:15 pm PDT

    My feedback heared very good thank you Sony entertainment

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