PlayStation settings and support guides

9 step-by-step PlayStation guides: where each setting lives, why it matters, best practices and fixes for the problems people run into most.

System

Keep your device current and configure core system behavior.

System Software UpdatePlayStation system updates patch security issues, add platform features, and are frequently required before a new game or online multiplayer will run at all.

Privacy & Security

Control which apps can access your camera, microphone, and data.

Privacy & Parental ControlsPlayStation's Family Management lets an adult account holder create child and teen accounts with age-appropriate restrictions on game ratings, playtime, spending, and communication — separate from each account's individual privacy settings for profile visibility and messaging.

Network & Internet

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and network connection settings.

Network & Wi-Fi ConnectionPlayStation consoles support both Wi-Fi and wired Ethernet. A wired connection is generally more stable for online multiplayer and reduces lag caused by Wi-Fi interference.

Display & Sound

Screen, audio, and alert preferences.

Audio & Display OutputDisplay settings control resolution, HDR, and refresh rate over HDMI, while audio can be routed independently to the TV/AVR over HDMI or optical, or to a wireless/wired headset — including PS5's Tempest 3D AudioTech for positional sound.

Storage & Backup

Manage space, back up your data, and stay protected against loss.

Storage ManagementPS5 splits storage between the internal SSD and an optional M.2 expansion slot; PS4 relies on its internal drive plus optional USB external storage. Both platforms let you see exactly what's eating space and free it up without losing save data.

Accounts & Family

Account sign-in, sync, and family/parental controls.

Account Sign-In & PSN ManagementYour PSN account holds your purchases, trophies, friends list, and subscriptions. Signing in correctly and setting one console as your "primary" console controls who on that console can access your purchased games and add-ons offline.

Personalization

Themes, wallpaper, lock screen, and layout of your device.

Trophies & Social FeaturesTrophies track in-game achievements and roll up into an account-wide level, while the Share/Create button controls screenshot and video capture, broadcasting, and posting to linked social accounts.

Devices

Mice, keyboards, trackpads, printers, and other connected hardware.

Controller Pairing & BluetoothPlayStation controllers pair over Bluetooth and can be re-paired if they stop responding, are used with a different console, or need to be connected to a PC.

Apps

Installed apps, optional features, and what runs on startup.

Downloads & Auto-UpdatesPlayStation can automatically fetch game and app updates, previously purchased content, and system files in the background — including while the console is in Rest Mode — so titles are ready to play the moment you sit down.

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