PS5 Setup: 20 Tips & Tricks For Setting Up Your New PlayStation 5

18 Nov 2024, by Mikaela Bartlett, min. read

Got a new PlayStation 5? Find out everything you need to know for your PS5 setup.

If you’ve got your eye on a PS5, we don’t blame you. The ultimate gaming console, the latest PlayStation model has several versions now: Standard, Slim and Pro.

But with cutting edge graphics and improved gameplay comes a much higher price tag. The cheapest we’ve seen is the Playstation 5 Digital version Slim for £379 at EE. Keep checking our EE student discount to see if you could save on a bundle too. If you can wait till Black Friday, we’ve got all the latest PS5 Black Friday deals to save you even more money.

Once you’ve bought your chosen PS5 comes the fun part. Unboxing, setting up and learning all the quirks of your console is where it gets interesting. But where do you start?

Read on to discover 20 tips and tricks for your PS5 setup.

1. Choose between PS5 digital vs disc

Before you’ve even bought your PS5, you might be trying to work out whether it’s better to go for the digital version or the classic disc console.

Probably the biggest factor that will guide your decision is the difference in price. You could save up to £100 on a PS5 Digital version vs a disc console. When you’re looking at a starting price of £379, an extra hundred quid could make all the difference. And when it comes to the newest iteration, the PS5 Pro, you can only buy a digital version, with a separate disc drive available to purchase separately.

At the time of writing, the difference in price between digital vs disc PS5s looks like this:

	Standard	Slim	Pro
PS5 Digital	£389 at Amazon	£379 at EE	£659.99 at Argos
PS5 Disc	£469.94 at Very	£469.94 at John Lewis	N/A

As the name suggests, if you go for a digital version, then you’re limited to only buying your PS5 games from the PlayStation Store. For avid gamers, if you’ve got years’ worth of games built up in your collection, then it might feel a bit of a shame to give them up. This also applies if you use your PlayStation to play DVDs or Blu-rays.

But if you’re looking to save a little money and don’t have a back catalogue of games you want to play, then the digital version could be right for you. As far as performance and graphics goes, digital and disc are like-for-like, so you won’t take a hit with this.

2. Transfer your PS4 data to your PS5

If you’ve taken the plunge and bought your PS5, but are maybe halfway through a game on PS4, no fear. Transfer your PS4 data across, so you won’t lose any awards, installs or apps on your new console.

There’s a few ways you can do this.

Download your game saves from PlayStation Plus

(credit: Sony)

If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you’re in luck, as you’ll have access to cloud backup that non-subscribers won’t have. This means all you need to do is download your game saves from your cloud storage.

To do this, you’ll first need to check on your PS4 that your games are stored properly on the cloud. On your PS4, go to: Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage.

Once this has completed, head back to your PS5.

From here, head to: Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > Cloud Storage then choose Download to Console Storage. You’ll see a list of your game saves available to download here.

Transfer your PS4 games to PS5 over WiFi

(credit: Sony)

If you’re not a PlayStation Plus subscriber, then transferring your games over WiFi or even Ethernet is your best bet.

This means you need to connect them both to the same WiFi connection. For a faster speed, you can connect them both to your router using Ethernet cables. Connecting them via Ethernet means you won’t have to redownload the games over the internet as they’re instantly connected.

For the transfer, first double check that your PS4 is using the latest software. If you’re not sure, head to Settings > System Software Update > Upgrade Now.

On your PS5, double check that you’re logged into the same PlayStation account. Navigate to: Settings > System > System Software and select Data Transfer.

From here, just follow the prompts as they appear on the screen. You’ll be able to select what you want to transfer over. Once you’re ready, it’ll ask you to press and hold the power button on your PS4 for one second. This will start the transfer process of game saves. All of your game files will continue to transfer in the background when your PS5 is up and running. This can take a while, especially if you’re on WiFi.

Transfer data using a USB stick

If you don’t want to use the PlayStation Data Transfer option, and you’re not a PlayStation Plus subscriber, you can always use a USB stick or external hard drive to transfer data.

To do this, plug in your USB stick or external hard drive into your PS4, and head to: Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device.

You’ll have to select all the save files you want to move over, then click Copy.

Once this has finished, switch the USB device into your PS5. Then navigate to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) and then select USB Drive.

Select ‘Copy to Console Storage’. Once this is complete, you’ll be able to access your PS4 files on PS5.

3. Learn how to switch off your PS5

This may seem like a really obvious tip – but there are a few different ways to turn off your PS5 that are new to this console.

The same options are using the physical power off buttons which are on the console. That’s easy enough.

BUT did you know that you can turn off your PS5 using your controller?

Short press your PlayStation button on your controller and you’ll access the new Control Panel. Look to the furthest right hand side and you’ll find the power button icon. Click this and you’ll be able to power off, restart or put your PS5 into rest mode.

4. How to connect your DualSense PS5 controller (and switch it off)

Your PS5 will come with (at least) one DualSense controller, which should connect instantly with the USB-C cable that it comes with. Just plug it into your PS5 and controller to link them up when you click the power button on each. This connects them, so you can unplug it and they’ll still maintain their link wirelessly.

Remember to keep your controller charged up if you’re using it wirelessly – no-one needs it cutting out mid-game!

If you want to add additional wireless controllers follow these steps:

On the controller you want to add (controller 2), make sure the player indicator is off. If it’s on, press and hold the PlayStation button until it turns off.
On your already paired controller (controller 1), on the home screen navigate to Settings > Accessories > General > Bluetooth Accessories
On controller 2, press and hold the create and PlayStation button at the same time. The light bar should blink and you’ll see controller 2 pop up on the screen.
Using controller 1, select controller 2 on the screen. Controller 2 will be properly paired once the player indicator lights up.

5. Get to grips with your controller

Learning a new controller has its quirks that set it apart from your old PlayStation. So getting to grips with your controller can take time. Our recommendation? Play Astro’s Playroom.

The free-with-the-console game is an excellent way to brush up on your DualSense controller skills. The whole point of Astro’s Playroom is that it showcases all the new features and quirks of the DualSense controllers, so it’s a great place to start if you haven’t used them before. It’s also an incredibly cute, fun way to start your gaming experience, with lots of different worlds to explore and different styles of gameplay.

6. How to control the sound options

Working out how to tweak and edit the sound and audio is also part and parcel of setting up your PS5.

Luckily, it’s easy enough to change your audio settings. Navigate to Settings > Sound > Audio Output.

The options there will depend on your devices and configuration. But you will be able to edit and tweak the settings so that you can get the most out of your gaming.

7. Connect your Bluetooth headphones

Unfortunately, PS5s don’t come with native Bluetooth headphone support. So if you want to connect your headphones via Bluetooth, your best bet is to buy a USB-A or USB-C Bluetooth adapter.

Plug this transmitter into a free port in your console, then put your Bluetooth headphones in pairing mode. Hold down the transmitter button on the console until it starts flashing, then it’ll detect the headphones and automatically connect them.

8. Stop pop-up notifications

If you’d rather switch off from the world when you’re gaming with friends, then you can switch off pop-up notifications on your PS5 too.

All you need to do is head to Settings (the little gear icon in the top right corner of your home screen. Then scroll to Notifications, then toggle off all pop-up notifications. If you want to customise which notifications you see, then you can scroll further down the page to toggle each individual option. You can even choose to only block notifications at certain times, like when you’re streaming a video.

One of the best things about consoles these days is the game sharing element. You don’t need to trade discs anymore, it can all be done digitally.

To get started with game sharing:

Navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other and select Console Sharing and Offline Play. If your friend then signs into your console with their PlayStation Network account, you’ll be able to use each other’s game libraries on your consoles.

Love co-op games? We’ve got all the best co-op games for you to play right now.

10. Play the PS5 version of your favourite game

Did you know that most of your favourite PS4 games are available to play, with upgraded graphics and performance, on your PS5? Some games even let you do this free of charge, although often a small cost might incur.

There’s a few different ways to do this, but you’ll need to make sure you have a good internet connection. Not all games will be eligible to upgrade, so check this before you try.

How to upgrade a PS4 disc game on your PS5 console (disc)

You can’t use a PS4 disc game on a digital version of the PS5, but if you have the disc drive, then follow these steps:

Sign into your PS5 console, then insert the PS4 game disc.
Head to the game hub for the PS4 game.
Choose the upgrade offer on the game hub.
Download or purchase the content.
After this is complete, you’ll be able to play the PS5 digital version when you’ve got the PS4 disc inserted. Keep hold of the disc though as you’ll need this every time you want to play.

How to upgrade your PS4 digital game on your PS5 console (digital or disc)

If you already have a digital version of the PS4 game you want to upgrade follow these steps to upgrade:

Sign into your PS5 and find the PS5 game you want on the PlayStation Store.
Go to the game hub, and select the upgrade offer.
Download or purchase the content.
Once it has downloaded, get ready to play.

How to switch between PS5 and PS4 versions on your PS5

If you own both PS4 and PS5 versions of the same game, you can switch between them by heading to the Games home screen > Game Library > Highlight the game you want to play > Select the […] to view more options, then select the version you want to play.

11. Set your game difficulty rating automatically

Yes, you can set your game difficulty when you’re playing the game – but did you know you can set it automatically so you don’t have to think about it?

And it’s as easy as anything. Just head to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Game Presets. Here you’ll be able to select the difficulty rating along with other game presets.

12. Learn how to customise power-saving features

If you’re trying to save battery on your controller, this nifty little tip will help:

Head to Settings > Power Saving > Change controller idle time to 10, 30 or 60 minutes.

If you set it to 10 minutes, then you’re much more likely to save battery instead of having it powered up for an hour while you make dinner.

13. Turn off auto-recording to save storage space

Disabling your auto-recording can save you SO much storage space. And it’s so easy to do on your PS5.

Head to Settings > Captures and Broadcasts > Captures and Broadcasts Settings. Here you can turn off or change settings for auto-recording.

14. How to capture screenshots on PS5

Sick gameplay that you need to share with your friends? Press and hold the share button to capture screenshots. If you have your keyboard plugged into your PS5, you can also press the print screen button to take a screenshot too.

15. Remove spoiler warnings on PS5

Never read a spoiler again by tweaking your spoiler settings to avoid ruining your game play. All you need to do is:

Go to Settings
Go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings
Choose Spoiler Options from the list
Toggle on/off Warn about Game Spoilers.

There you can customise further depending on game developer or new spoilers too.

16. Learn how to put your PS5 into safe mode

Safe mode can be a lifesaver if your PS5 crashes or gives you trouble. It’s a troubleshooting tool so you can figure out what’s going on with your console.

To access safe mode, you need to turn your console off first by holding the power button for three seconds. Once it’s turned off, press and hold the power button again. Then release it after you hear the second beep, around seven seconds after the first beep. Then connect your controller using your USB cable and press the PlayStation button on your controller.

17. Log in online

If you want to access online features, like game sharing, then you’ll need to log in to your PlayStation Network account.

You can access the sign-in screen by navigation to Settings > Users and Accounts > Accounts > Sign in.

18. Get to know about PlayStation Plus

PlayStation Plus is a subscription service for gamers who want to access online services including:

online multiplayer
cloud save storage
downloadable games

If this sounds like a bit of you, then you can sign up for as little as £6.99 per month for the Essential package. For avid gamers, if you want all the trimmings, then you can get the Premium subscription from £13.49 per month.

Benefits	Essential £6.99 / 1 month £19.99 / 3 months £59.99 / 12 months	Extra £10.99 / 1 month £31.99 / 3 months £99.99 / 12 months	Premium £13.49 / 1 month £39.99 / 3 months £119.99 / 12 months
Monthly games	X	X	X
Online multiplayer	X	X	X
Exclusive discounts	X	X	X
Exclusive content	X	X	X
Cloud storage	X	X	X
Share Play	X	X	X
Game Catalogue	X	X	X
Ubisoft+ Classics		X	X
Classics Catalogue			X
Game trials			X
PS5 Cloud streaming			X
Sony Pictures Catalogue			X

19. Learn how to mute your mic on PS5

The integrated microphone of the DualSense controller is a nifty little feature – but that doesn’t mean you want your mic on 24/7.

There’s a few ways to mute your inbuilt mic in the PS5 controller. You can either tap the mute button which is directly below the PlayStation button on your pad. Or if you tap the PlayStation button to bring up the control centre, tap the Mic button then ‘Mute’.

If you need to mute your whole console, mic and game – which can be useful if you need to answer the phone or speak to someone, then you can do that too. Press and hold the mute button until you can’t hear any more sound. The button will blink orange which tells you that the whole system has been muted. You can tap it again to unmute.

20. How to clean your PS5

To keep your PS5 in tip top working condition, you’ll want to give it a clean from time to time. This can stop things like dust from getting into your console, which can lead to your PS5 overheating and underperforming. Follow these steps to keep it pristine:

Turn off and unplug your PS5 from the mains. Pop it lying on its side so you can remove the stand too. Clean it on a table or hard floor rather than a rug or carpet.
Remove the faceplates with your hands – just grip it and apply a little bit of strength to hear it pop out.
You’ll probably discover some dust once the faceplates are off, so use compressed air or a hoover (on low setting) to suck them out.
Check along the side of the PS5 and the front ports to see if any dust has gathered here too.
Then reattach the faceplates and the stand. Now you can reconnect it to the mains and get back to gaming.

You shouldn’t need to clean out your PS5 very often, but think about it when you next realise just how much dust has gathered everywhere else.

We hope these tips help your PS5 setup. Discover all the gaming student discounts to take playing to the next level.