PS5 Tips and Settings Every New Owner Should Know
The PS5 looks straightforward out of the box, but its menus hide a surprising number of features Sony never really explains. A little setup now saves you frustration later, here’s what every new owner should check first.
1. Always Use the Stand
Get this out of the way immediately. Whether you’re standing the console upright or laying it flat, it needs the included stand for proper airflow and stability. This applies to the standard PS5, Digital Edition, and PS5 Pro alike.
2. Turn On Auto-Downloads and Rest Mode Updates
Go to Settings, then Saved Data and Game/App Settings, then Automatic Updates, and make sure both “Auto-Download” and “Auto-Install in Rest Mode” are switched on. This means game updates install quietly overnight instead of interrupting you the moment you sit down to play.
3. Don’t Skip Astro’s Playroom
It comes preinstalled on every PS5, and it’s easy to dismiss as a throwaway pack-in game. Don’t. It doubles as both a genuinely well-made platformer and a hands-on showcase of what the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers can actually do.
4. Enable Voice Commands
Under Settings, then Voice Command, then Enable Voice Command, you can navigate the console hands-free by saying “Hey PlayStation” followed by your request opening games, controlling playback, or capturing gameplay. The controller’s built-in microphone picks this up without needing a headset. It’s still a beta feature with some limitations, but it’s a genuinely handy shortcut once you’re used to it.
5. Control Your PS5 with Your TV Remote
If you use streaming apps on your console, you don’t need to keep reaching for the DualSense every time. Go to Settings, then System, then Remote Play, and enable it to control basic playback functions using your TV’s own remote instead.
6. Fix Your Rest Mode Power Settings
By default, USB power to accessories doesn’t stay on when the console is fully powered off. Go to Settings, then System, then Power Saving, then Features Available in Rest Mode, and enable USB power supply if you want your DualSense charging overnight without leaving the console fully awake.
7. Get Familiar with the Control Center
The redesigned Control Center gives you quick access to your most-used settings without digging through nested menus — brightness, audio, notifications, and connected accessories are all one button press away. Spending a few minutes exploring it upfront saves real time later.
8. Connect the PlayStation App on Your Phone
Linking the PlayStation mobile app unlocks remote play, voice chat on the go, and the ability to start downloading a game to your console before you’re even home from work. It’s one of the most underused conveniences new owners overlook.
9. Get a 4K HDR TV If You Can
The PS5’s visual capabilities are genuinely built around 4K HDR output. If your current TV supports it, make sure HDR is enabled in your PS5’s video output settings to get noticeably sharper images and richer colors in supported games.
10. Use the Share Button
The share button on your controller makes capturing and posting screenshots or gameplay clips to social media a one-press action, without needing any extra software or setup.
11. Stay on Top of Storage from Day One
Modern games fill up storage fast, and the PS5’s SSD, while quick, isn’t limitless. Getting into the habit of checking Settings, then Storage, periodically and uninstalling what you’re not playing saves you from a full-drive surprise right when a new release drops.
The Bottom Line
None of these settings take more than a minute or two to set up, but together they meaningfully improve how your PS5 feels to actually live with day to day. Spend twenty minutes working through this list before your first big gaming session, and you’ll get a lot more out of the console than most new owners do straight out of the box.
FAQs
Do I need a headset to use PS5 voice commands?
No. The DualSense controller has a built-in microphone, so voice commands work without any additional headset.
Why should I keep Astro’s Playroom installed?
It’s a genuinely well-made platformer that also showcases the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers better than almost any other game.
How do I get my DualSense to charge while the PS5 is off?
Enable USB power supply under Settings, then System, then Power Saving, then Features Available in Rest Mode.
Do I need a 4K TV to enjoy the PS5?
No, but HDR and full visual fidelity are built around 4K HDR output, so it’s worth enabling if your TV supports it.
What’s the fastest way to access frequently used settings?
The Control Center, accessible with one button press, gives quick access to brightness, audio, notifications, and connected accessories.
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