What connecting your PS5 to a PC actually means
You cannot plug a PS5 directly into a PC and use it as a monitor or storage device. The PS5 and PC are separate gaming systems that do not have a physical connection method. However, you can stream your PS5 gameplay to your PC over your home network, or use your PC to manage PS5 settings remotely. You can also play some games on both systems and sync your progress between them if they support cross-save features.
The most common reason people want to connect these devices is to play PS5 games on their PC screen without buying a second TV. Streaming is the way to do this, and it works through your WiFi or ethernet network rather than a cable.
Key Takeaways
- You can stream PS5 gameplay to your PC using the official PlayStation Remote Play app, which works on Windows 10 and Windows 11.
- Both your PS5 and PC must be on the same WiFi network or connected to the same ethernet network for streaming to work.
- Your PS5 account must have a password set up, and you need to enable Remote Play in your PS5 settings before you can connect.
- A wired ethernet connection on both devices gives you better streaming quality than WiFi, especially for fast-paced games.
- Some PS5 games support cross-save, meaning your progress syncs automatically between PS5 and PC versions if you own both.
Setting up Remote Play on your PS5
Before you can stream to your PC, you need to turn on Remote Play on the PS5 itself. Go to Settings on your PS5 home screen, then select System, then Remote Play. Toggle Enable Remote Play to on. Your PS5 will show you a code — write this down or take a screenshot, because you will need it when you first connect from your PC.
Make sure your PS5 account has a password. Remote Play requires password protection on your account for security. If you have not set a password, go to Settings, Users and Accounts, Other, Password, and create one. This is separate from your parental controls PIN — it is the password you use to sign into your PlayStation Network account.
Check that your PS5 is set to stay connected to your network even when in rest mode. Go to Settings, System, Power Saving, and make sure Stay Connected to the Internet is enabled. This lets you stream even when the PS5 is not actively running a game.
Installing and signing into Remote Play on Windows
Download the PlayStation Remote Play app from the Microsoft Store on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. Search for "PlayStation Remote Play" in the Microsoft Store and install the official app published by Sony Interactive Entertainment. The app is free.
Open Remote Play and sign in with the same PlayStation Network account you use on your PS5. The app will ask for your account email and password. Once you are signed in, the app will search for your PS5 on your network. When it finds your PS5, select it and enter the code that appeared on your PS5 screen during setup. After you enter the code once, your PC will remember your PS5 and you will not need the code again.
If the app cannot find your PS5, make sure both devices are on the same network. If you are using a guest network or a separate WiFi band, move both devices to the main network. Restart your PS5 and try again if the search times out.
Connecting and streaming for the first time
Once your PC recognizes your PS5, select it in the Remote Play app and click Connect. The app will establish a connection — this usually takes 10 to 15 seconds. Your PS5 screen will appear in a window on your PC, and you can use a PlayStation controller connected to your PC to play.
To connect a controller to your PC, plug it in with a USB cable or pair it via Bluetooth. Windows will recognize it as a standard game controller. Some games work better with the controller plugged in directly rather than wireless, especially if you are far from your PC.
The video quality depends on your network speed and the distance between your devices. If you are on the same WiFi network close to your router, you should see clear video at 1080p resolution. If you are far from the router or on a slower connection, the app will automatically reduce quality to keep the stream smooth. For the best experience, connect both your PS5 and PC to your router with ethernet cables if possible.
Troubleshooting connection problems
If Remote Play keeps disconnecting, check that your PS5 is not overheating and that your router is not too far away. Move your PC closer to the router or move the router closer to your PS5. Restart both devices and try connecting again.
If the video is choppy or freezes, your network connection is too slow or unstable. Switch to a wired ethernet connection if you can, or move closer to your WiFi router. You can also lower the video quality in the Remote Play app settings — go to Settings in the app and adjust the resolution and frame rate downward.
If you see a message that says your account is not authorized, make sure you are signed into Remote Play with the same account that owns the PS5. If you are trying to stream from someone else's PS5, that person needs to enable Remote Play on their console and give you permission through their account settings.
Cross-save and game progress between PS5 and PC
Some games let you play on both PS5 and PC and keep your progress in sync automatically. This is called cross-save. Games that support it include Destiny 2, Fortnite, Warframe, and several others. When you start one of these games on your PC, you can sign in with the same account you use on PS5, and your character, items, and progress will be there.
Not all games support cross-save. Check the game's official website or store page to see if it mentions cross-save or cross-platform progress. Some games require you to link your gaming account (like your Epic Games account for Fortnite) to make it work. Cross-save is different from Remote Play — it means you own the game on both systems and your data syncs, rather than streaming one system to another.
When to use Remote Play versus buying a PC version
Remote Play is useful if you want to play PS5 games on your PC screen without buying them again. It works for any PS5 game, and you do not need a powerful PC — even an older laptop can stream as long as it has a decent internet connection. The downside is that you are limited by your network speed, and there is a small delay between your controller input and what you see on screen.
If you want to play a game natively on PC without streaming, you need to buy the PC version separately. Many PS5 games have PC versions available on Steam or the Epic Games Store, but not all of them. Native PC versions run faster and have no network delay, but they cost money and take up storage space on your PC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PlayStation Plus subscription to use Remote Play?
No. Remote Play is free and does not require a PlayStation Plus subscription. However, if you want to play online multiplayer games through Remote Play, those games may require PlayStation Plus on your PS5 account, just as they would if you were playing directly on the console.
Can I use Remote Play on a Mac?
The official PlayStation Remote Play app is for Windows only. Mac users can use third-party streaming software like Chiaki, which is free and open-source, but it requires more technical setup than the official app.
What if my PS5 is in another room?
Remote Play works as long as both devices are on the same network. Your PS5 can be in another room, another floor, or even in a different building if you are on the same WiFi network. The farther apart they are, the weaker the signal may be, so a wired connection helps.
Can I stream PS5 to my PC over the internet when I am away from home?
Yes, but it requires extra setup. You need to enable Remote Play on your PS5 and make sure your home network allows it. The connection will be slower than streaming on your home network, and you may see more lag. Check your router settings or contact your internet provider if you want to set this up.
Is there lag when I play through Remote Play?
There is always some delay because the video has to travel from your PS5 to your PC over your network. On a good home WiFi network, the delay is usually 50 to 100 milliseconds, which most people do not notice in slower games. Fast-paced games like shooters or fighting games may feel sluggish. A wired ethernet connection reduces lag significantly.