One of the key features that Sony has introduced with the new PS5 is the Performance Mode. But what exactly is this mode, and how does it affect your gameplay? Let’s dive in.

Understanding Performance Mode

Performance Mode is a graphics setting on the PS5 that prioritizes framerate over resolution. In other words, when you enable this mode, your PS5 will aim to deliver a smooth 60 frames per second (fps) gameplay experience, even if it means dialing back on the graphical quality a bit. This is a significant step up from the 30fps gamers have grown accustomed to on consoles like the PS4 Pro.

The higher frame rates offered by the PS5 Performance Mode can make a world of difference in your gaming experience. Whether you’re swinging through the skyscrapers of New York in “Spider-Man: Miles Morales” or battling it out in the galaxy far, far away in a new “Star Wars” game, the smoothness offered by 60fps can make your gameplay feel more responsive and immersive.

Note: This setting only tells the PS5 what you generally prefer; it doesn’t prevent you from manually switching to a different mode within a game’s menus. So you can override this on a per-game basis.

Resolution Mode vs. Performance Mode

But how does this compare to the PS5’s Resolution Mode? Also known as Quality Mode, the graphics setting prioritizes image quality and resolution over framerate. When you enable this mode, your PS5 will aim to deliver gameplay at a (targeted) 4K resolution, even if it means the framerate might drop to 30fps. This mode is perfect for games with beautiful graphics and slower-paced gameplay, where you can take the time to appreciate the high level of detail in the game world.

However, remember that there are many situations where you won’t see the difference between the image quality in Resolution or Performance mode. If you’re still using a 1080p (AKA “Full HD”) TV, you won’t see much benefit from running in resolution mode. The PS5 still targets 4K but then “downsamples” that image to 1080p. This does result in a better 1080p image, but even in Performance mode, most games render above 1080p, so you’re still getting a better picture either way.

Also, if you sit too far from your 4K TV set, you may not see the detail offered by 4K. Most people underestimate how close they have to sit to their 4K set to see 4K detail. For example, the standard 55″ screen size requires you to sit closer than 6ft from the TV.

But, some aspects of resolution mode may be visible at any distance since you can set other settings (such as lighting quality or foliage density) to higher levels in quality mode. However, higher frame rates are always visible at any distance and affect other aspects besides visuals, specifically how snappy the game feels in response to your input.

How to Enable Performance Mode

Turning on the PS5 Performance Mode is a breeze. Here’s how to do it.

1. Turn on your PlayStation 5 console.
2. From the main dashboard, navigate to the top-right corner of the screen and select the Settings icon (represented by a cog).

3. In the Settings menu, select Saved Data and Game/App Setting.

4. Within this menu, find and select Game Presets.

5. You’ll see an option for Game Default, Performance Mode, or Resolution Mode in the Game Presets menu.

6. You will now have the option to choose between Performance Mode or Resolution Mode. Select Performance Mode to prioritize higher frame rates.

And that’s it! Your PS5 will prioritize performance, offering smoother gameplay at higher frame rates. Remember, you can always return to this menu to switch back to Resolution Mode if you prefer to prioritize graphical quality and resolution.

How to Get 120FPS in PS5 Games

A few select PS5 games, such as “Gran Turismo 7,” support frame rates above 60fps. However, this is only possible on televisions or computer monitors with refresh rates of 120Hz or above. Whether your TV can do this can be tricky since you may have to dig into some technical specifications. Still, the PS5 makes it easy to figure out in a few seconds if the option to activate this mode is unavailable, it means your current TV setup does not support it.

Here are the steps to turn 120Hz output on or off on your PS5:

1. Start from the PS5’s home screen.
2. Navigate to the top right-hand corner and select Settings.

3. Within the Settings menu, select Screen and Video.

4. In the Screen and Video menu, go to Video Output.

5. Here, you will find an option called 120Hz Output. Select Automatic to turn 120Hz output on or off as per your preference.

Games that support 120Hz output will render at more than 60 fps if this option is activated. Not all games will reach or sustain this number, but you will get more than the normal performance mode.

There’s even more to the 120Hz mode beyond this. Some games, such as “Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart” and “Horizon Forbidden West” have 40fps modes that only work in 120Hz mode. That’s because 40 divides evenly into 120Hz (but not 60Hz), which allows this frame rate to work without visual artifacts. This 40fps mode offers a nice middle ground between quality and performance modes.

There’s no harm in activating 120Hz mode all the time since you can still manually set individual games to 60fps or even 30fps in their menus, both of which work perfectly at 120Hz.

Note: If your 120Hz television or monitor does not support HDMI VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), running in 120Hz mode may lead to screen tearing when the game can’t quite hit that 120fps mark.

Special In-Game Settings

The 40fps mode we just discussed is an example of a special in-game graphics mode that you will only see within the menus of a given game. The game presets of the PS5 system itself are binary, with only two options. Some games, such as “Ghostwire Tokyo,” have many different graphics modes, with Ghostwire sporting ten!

These modes can be anything the game developer chooses, but usually boil down to the following:

1. 30fps Fidelity mode
2. 60fps Performance mode
3. 40fps balanced mode (if supported and the 120Hz output enabled)
4. 120fps High Frame Rate Mode (if supported and the 120Hz output enabled)
5. Ray tracing features activated (at a frame rate specified by the developer)

Ray tracing, a feature previously exclusive to high-end PC gaming GPUs such as the NVIDIA RTX series, is a rendering technique that simulates how light interacts with objects in a video game. It can make lighting and reflections look incredibly realistic, adding another layer of immersion to your gaming experience. However, ray tracing can be demanding on the console’s hardware, which might lead to some stuttering or low frame rates if your game is particularly graphics-intensive.

What About PS4 Games?

The PS5 is backward compatible with nearly every game ever released for the PS4. Your preset choice for PS5 games generally does not affect PS4 games, which run at their PS4 Pro settings by default on PS5.

Some PS4 games have been patched by their developers to take advantage of the extra horsepower in the PS5, which usually means there will be a menu option (or a default state) where the game runs at 4K60, or perhaps even over 60fps if 120Hz output is enabled.

In some cases where an unpatched PS4 game has a 60fps mode, it will limit its resolution to 1080p or even less since these were the PS4 Pro performance mode settings.

Unpatched PS4 games with unlocked frame rates and dynamic resolution scaling can often reach 4K60fps without special patching by the developer.

The bottom line is that with PS4 games, you’ll have to deal with performance and quality on a case-by-case basis when you play them on your PS5. Some PS4 games have been remastered into native PS5 games, and often you can get a free upgrade to this version (e.g., Cyberpunk 2077) or pay a small fee, such as with Grand Theft Auto V.

What About Other Consoles?

It’s also worth noting that the PS5 Performance Mode is one of many options for gamers seeking higher frame rates. The Xbox Series X and S, the PS5’s main competitors, also offer a similar feature. When it comes to playing Xbox, Xbox 360, and Xbox One games on the latest Xbox consoles, Microsoft has found a way to boost frame rate and resolution in some older games without any help from the developer.

Try Performance Mode in a Fast Paced Game

The PS5 Performance Mode is a game-changer for console gamers. It offers a smoother, more responsive gameplay experience, making it a great choice for fast-paced action games. However, if you’re a gamer who values graphical quality and high resolution over framerate, the PS5’s Resolution Mode might be more up your alley. Either way, the choice is yours, and the PS5’s game presets make it easy to switch between these modes as you see fit.

The PS5 console offers multiple approaches to removing games from its SSD (and extended storage drive if you have one). This guide walks you through each technique, making it easy to free up storage and accommodate new games.

Will Uninstalling a Game Delete Its Save Data?

Your PS5 stores save files separately from game data, so you don’t lose your progress even if you delete a video game. You can reinstall the game later, and it should automatically detect the save files.

If you want to delete or backup your save data, visit your console’s Storage management panel (more on that later).

1. Uninstall Video Games From the Home Screen

The fastest way to delete a video game on your PS5 is through the Home Screen. Just highlight the game’s thumbnail, press the DualSense controller’s Options button, and select Delete.

Tip: Select Information on the context menu to check how much space the game occupies on the console’s storage before deleting it.

2. Uninstall Video Games via the Game Library

If a video game does not appear on your PS5’s Home Screen (it only shows nine of your most recently-played games), you can delete it via the Game Library. Here’s how:

1. Scroll to the right of the Home Screen and select Game Library.

2. Highlight the game you want to uninstall and press Options.

3. Select Delete.

3. Uninstall Video Games via Storage Management

Another way to uninstall PS5 games is through the console’s Storage management panel. This method is ideal if you want to delete multiple games simultaneously while having a clearer picture of how much space you can free up.

Here’s how:

1. Select the Gear icon on the top left of the screen.

2. Scroll down the Settings menu and choose Storage.

3. Select Console Storage > Games and Apps to view a list of installed games on the internal storage drive.

4. Check the boxes next to the video games you want to uninstall—you should see the size of each game, including the amount of potential free space you can gain if you delete your selections.

5. Select Delete.

4. Uninstall Games via the PlayStation App

If you’ve set up the PS App to work on your iPhone or Android, you can remotely delete games from your PS5. Like with the Storage management console on your PS5, it lets you delete multiple games at once while allowing you to figure out how much space you get to free up. Just:

1. Open the PS App.
2. Tap the Settings icon (top right of the screen) within the Play tab.
3. Tap PS5 Storage at the top of the screen.
4. Select the games you want to delete.
5. Tap Delete Game(s).

Your PS5 should automatically delete the game in Rest Mode or when you next turn on the console.

If you don’t have the PS App on your mobile device:

1. Download and install the PS App from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.
2. Open the PS App and sign in with your PlayStation Account.
3. Tap the Gear icon (top right of the screen) within the Play tab.
4. Tap Link Console to App.
5. Select your PS5 and tap Confirm.

You can now delete games on your PS5.

5. Uninstall Games on the Extended Storage Device

If you’ve set up an external hard drive or SSD to work as extended storage on your PS5, you can delete video games from it through the Home Screen, Game Library (make sure to scroll down to the Extended storage section), or the PS App (switch to the USB tab within PS Storage). The steps are identical to removing games from the console’s internal storage drive.

Additionally, you can uninstall games from the extended drive through the PS5’s Storage management panel, but the process is somewhat different. Begin by connecting the storage device to a SuperSpeed USB port on your PS5—the USB-C port on the front or one of the two USB-A ports on the back. Then:

1. Open the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Go to USB Extended Storage > Games and Apps.

3. Highlight any game within the list, press Options, and choose the Select Items to Delete option.

4. Mark the games you want to remove—you should see the size of each game, including the amount of free space you can free up if you delete your selections.

5. Select Delete.

Delete Saved Game Data on Your PS5

If you’d like to delete the saved data for a video game after you’re done uninstalling it:

1. Open the PS5’s Settings menu.
2. Select Storage.
3. Go to Console Storage > Save Data.
4. Select the save data for the game.
5. Select Delete.

Optionally, you can back up your saved data to PlayStation Plus or a flash drive (PS4 games only) before deleting them. Just switch to the Upload to PS Plus or Copy to USB Drive tabs to upload or copy the files.

Remove PS5 Games You No Longer Play

As you just learned, you’ve got multiple ways to delete games on the PS5. You can do that via the Home Screen, Game Library, Console management screen, or the PS App. If you want to reinstall a game, just redownload it via the PlayStation Store (you should find a list of your purchases within the Game Library) or copy the game content via its Blu-ray disc.

By adjusting the tick speed, players can influence the game’s pace to suit their preferences. If you’re a Minecraft beginner, we’ll explain how to change the tick speed in Minecraft below.

What Is Tick Speed in Minecraft?

Your Minecraft tick speed refers to the rate at which the game processes various events and updates, such as block updates, mob movements, and random events like crop growth and weather changes.

The default tick speed is set to a reasonable pace for most players, but you may want to change the tick speed for various reasons, such as speeding up farming processes or making the game more challenging.

Remember that the higher the tick speed, the faster various events and updates will occur in the game. Setting it too high may cause performance issues or create an overly chaotic gameplay experience. Finding a balance that works best for you and your specific gameplay objectives is crucial.

How to Change Tick Speed in Minecraft Using Commands

In Minecraft, the tick speed determines how often random events occur, such as crop and tree growth. In the Java edition of Minecraft, the default tick speed value is 3, while the Bedrock edition of Minecraft has the tick speed set to 1.

Tip: If you’re running Bedrock, enable ray tracing in Minecraft (as long as your GPU supports it).

You can use the randomTickSpeed command in the chat window to alter your tick speed. This is typically only possible on an online or LAN-hosted server.

Again, remember that increasing the tick speed may result in game lag or server lag if you set it too high. To change the tick speed in Minecraft, follow the steps below.

1. Open your Minecraft world and ensure you have the required permissions to use commands. If you run the Minecraft server, enable cheats by setting the Allow Cheats value to On. If you don’t run the server, ensure that the server operator has enabled them and allows you to make changes.

2. Press either the T or / (forward slash) keys to open the chat window.
3. In the chat window, type /gamerule randomTickSpeed <value> in the chat window, where <value> is replaced with the number you’d like to set the tick speed to.

4. Press Enter to execute the command—the tick speed will be changed accordingly.

Note that setting the tick speed too high or too low might affect the game’s performance and cause unintended side effects. Stay within reasonable limits when altering the tick speed—setting it too high could cause your game to crash.

Managing Your Minecraft Experience

The easiest way to change your tick speed in Minecraft is to use the in-game commands we’ve explored above. If you want greater control over the Minecraft gaming experience, you can also use the MultiMC launcher instead, which allows you to customize your game before you launch it.

Are you having any other issues with Minecraft? If you encounter a black screen issue with Minecraft or need to fix Minecraft exit codes, you’ll need to troubleshoot the problem further.

That’s where rebuilding the database on your PlayStation 5 can make a difference, and this tutorial will provide step-by-step instructions to help you with that.

Why You Should Rebuild the PS5 Database

The database on your PS5 is where the console stores essential information, including data about installed games, saved game files, and media gallery items. However, over time, it can get cluttered with redundant, broken, and obsolete data.

Suppose you’re experiencing slower loading times, game crashes, or other unexpected behaviors—e.g., game and app icons remaining on the Home Screen long after uninstalling them. In that case, these can often be signs that the database needs rebuilding.

A PS5 database rebuild reorganizes your data, cleans up loose ends, and enhances how your PS5 functions, leading to smoother interactions and gaming experiences. Don’t worry—nothing gets deleted.

The problem? This procedure can take anywhere from just minutes to several hours, depending on the data on your console. Expect the time to substantially increase if you have an NVMe SSD in the expansion bay or an external drive for copying and moving data.

Because of the potentially time-consuming nature, it’s a good idea to rebuild the PS5 database after working on other applicable fixes related to the issue you’re encountering. For example, have you tried updating the PS5’s system software?

How to Rebuild the PS5 Database

Rebuilding the PS5 database is a straightforward process that can be done after booting the console into Safe Mode. But what is Safe Mode? It’s a separate startup environment where you can perform maintenance and troubleshooting activities, including database rebuilding.

Before you begin, you must completely shut down the console—press the PS button on the DualSense wireless controller, select Power, and choose Turn Off PS5. You must also connect the expanded storage drive if one is set up. Then:

1. Hold down the Power button on your console beeps for the second time—this boots the PS5 in Safe Mode.
2. Connect your PS5’s DualSense controller via its charging cable to any USB port on the console and press the PS button—you’ll see a list of Safe Mode options on the screen.
3. Use the D-pad buttons to navigate to Clear Cache and Rebuild Database—press X to select it.

Note: Depending on the make and model of your PS5, you might see the option simply labeled as Rebuild Database.

4. You should now see two sub-options—Clear System Software Cache and Rebuild Database. We recommend you select Clear System Software Cache and clear the cache on your PS5 before rebuilding the database—it’s faster, removes temporary system data, and could resolve your issue. If the problem persists, re-enter Safe Mode and select Rebuild Database sub-option.

5. Wait until your PS5 rebuilds the database on your PS5—a progress bar indicator reveals the estimated amount of time remaining. The console should exit Safe Mode and boot normally after the procedure.

Warning: Do not disconnect your PS5 from its power source during the database rebuilding phase since that can severely corrupt the console’s system software.

Your PS5’s Database Has Been Rebuilt

A healthy PS5 database is crucial for a smoother experience with the console, and a complete rebuild can play a significant role in getting it out of a rut.

The process takes a while to complete, but with luck, you’ll only have to do that a handful of times over the years. If time is not an issue, there’s no harm in repeating the action once every few months as a maintenance measure.

Just remember—rebuilding the PS5’s database is not the ultimate solution to all issues. If you continue encountering problems, other advanced troubleshooting techniques exist, like resetting the PS5 to factory defaults.

Your PS5 automatically enters Rest Mode after 20 minutes of inactivity. However, if you’d like to manually put the console into Rest Mode or adjust the automatic activation time, this tutorial will show you how.

How to Put Your PS5 in Rest Mode

You can put your PS5 into Rest Mode whenever you want. If you have a game running, just pause or exit to the Home Screen, and then:

1. Press the PS button on your DualSense wireless controller to bring up the Control Center.
2. Use the right thumbstick or D-pad button to highlight the Power icon.
3. Press the X button and select the Enter Rest Mode menu option.

Your TV or monitor screen goes black and the power indicator lights on the PS5’s casing flashes amber to confirm it’s in Rest Mode. Do not disconnect the power cable since the console still needs power—around 0.36 to 3.2 watts per hour—to remain in this state.

How to Get Your PS5 Out of Rest Mode

You have a couple of ways to get a PS5 console out of Rest Mode. Just press the PS button on the DualSense controller. Or, press the Power button on the console’s casing. The PS5 should beep and start up.

If you entered Rest Mode with a game running in the background, select its icon on the Home Screen to resume playing immediately.

How to Change Rest Mode’s Automatic Timer

If you’d like to change how quickly the PS5 enters Safe Mode on its own:

1. Select the Gear icon on the top left corner of the Home Screen.

2. Scroll down the Settings menu and select System.

3. Go to Power Saving > Set Time Until PS5 Enters Rest Mode.

4. Select the While Playing Games option.

5. Pick your preferred duration before entering Rest Mode while idling on the Home Screen or a video game or app—the shortest (and default) is After 20 Minutes, and you can increase that to After 1 Hour, After 2 Hours, After 3 Hours, and so on.

6. Select During Media Playback to adjust the Rest Mode timer during media playback—the shortest (and default) is After 1 Hour.

Rest Your PS5 Console

Entering Rest Mode on your PlayStation 5 is not only useful from a power management perspective—it also increases the longevity of the console by preventing it from working extra hard to load everything from scratch for each new gaming session. Sure—it’s not ideal for every scenario. For example, if you’re troubleshooting the gaming console, looking to boot into Safe Mode, or plan not to game for days, shut down your PS5 instead.

In this troubleshooting guide, we’ll explain what causes the error code 524 on Roblox and how to fix it.

What Causes Roblox Error Code 524?

The Roblox error code 524 usually appears when you’re trying to join a game. After attempting to join a game, you’ll receive the message, “Not authorized to join this game. (Error Code: 524)”. However, it can also occur during a session, booting you from whatever game you’re currently enjoying.

There are a few reasons why you might receive this error code, including:

1. You’re trying to join a private server that you don’t have permission to join.
2. Your account is too new — many servers only allow accounts at least 30 days old to join them.
3. Roblox server issues.
4. Your privacy settings prevent you from joining a private server.
5. Random glitches with the app or web browser prevent Roblox from working correctly.
6. Internet connectivity issues.

Below, we’ll explain how to fix each of these issues. We’ll start with the most straightforward fixes and progress to the more complicated ones — so start at the beginning and work your way down.

How to Fix Roblox Error Code 524

Here are seven ways to fix the Roblox error code 524:

1. Check Your Account Age

If your account is under 30 days old, you might be unable to join specific Roblox game servers. In this case, you’ll just have to wait until your account is older, then try joining again.

If you aren’t sure how old your account is, check the date of the confirmation email you received from Roblox when you created your account.

2. Ask for Permission to Join a Private Server

If you’re trying to join a friend’s new server, ask them to reconfigure their VIP server settings. All they need to do is go to their game page, select Servers.

Then select Configure.

Here, they should check the box next to Friends Allowed, then type your Roblox account name and select Add.

3. Check the Roblox Servers

You might receive the Roblox 524 join error if the Roblox servers are down for server maintenance or having other problems. To check this, you can have a look at mentions on social media like Twitter or Facebook. If there’s nothing there, check the Roblox server status on a site like Down Detector.

4. Troubleshoot Your Network Connection

A poor internet connection can cause problems when connecting to the Roblox servers. You can check whether your internet is working as expected by loading a webpage. If it loads fine, your internet is working. Also, use a speed test site to ensure your download and upload speeds are what they should be.

If there’s a problem, you’ll need to troubleshoot your network. Try resetting your router and disabling your Virtual Private Network (VPN) if you use one. If that doesn’t work, check out our in-depth guide on how to fix your internet connection again.

5. Change Privacy Settings

Your privacy invitation settings may be the cause of the error code 524. To change these:

1. Open Roblox and sign in to your Roblox account.
2. Select the Settings icon (the gear icon) in the top-right corner of the screen.

3. Select Privacy.

4. Scroll down to Other settings. Under “Who can make me a member of their private server,” select Everyone.

5. Try to connect to the server again.

6. Clear Browser Cookies and Cache

If you play Roblox via your web browser, your cookies or cache may have become corrupted, causing issues with the game. To fix this, you must clear both the cookies and cache.

On Google Chrome:

1. Select Settings in the top-right corner.
2. Select Clear browsing data.

3. Ensure Cookies and other site data, Browsing history, and Cached images and files are ticked. Select Clear data.

Note: Some Roblox gamers report that web browser ad blockers occasionally cause Roblox to glitch out. To check, disable ad blockers, then try to rejoin your Roblox game. If it works, then you know the ad blocker is at fault.

7. Reinstall Roblox

If nothing else has worked, it’s time to try reinstalling the Roblox app. How you do this will depend on the device you use to play Roblox.

To uninstall Roblox on a Windows PC:

1. Open the Start Menu, type “Control Panel”, and select it.
2. Select Uninstall a program.

3. Find Roblox in the list, then select Uninstall.

On newer versions of Windows, you can press the Windows key + I to open Settings. From here, select Apps, then select Roblox and choose Uninstall.

To uninstall Roblox on an Android or iOS device, press and hold the Roblox app icon. On Android, select Remove. On iPhone, tap Remove App, then tap Delete App.

Once the app is uninstalled, you can re-download it from the Roblox website. If you’re using a mobile device, download it from the Google Play Store (on Android), or the App Store (for iOS devices).

Join Your Friends for More Fun

You can join games and return to playing Roblox with your friends. If you still have trouble playing Roblox, contact Roblox support via the Roblox website.

Fortunately, the PS5’s system software allows for a seamless backup process and offers the flexibility to choose the types of data you want to secure. Restoring your game data is just as convenient. This tutorial will show you how to back up and restore the data on a PS5 console.

What Can You Back Up On Your PS5?

Backing up your PS5 involves creating a copy of your data and settings that you can restore later. The internal storage drive consists of the following data types:

• Downloaded apps and video games.
• Save files.
• The media gallery—video clips and screenshots.
• Your system settings.

The good news—you can back up all the above data on your game console to an external hard drive or SSD. If you have a PlayStation Plus subscription, you also have the option to upload your game saves—arguably the most vital data—to the PSN servers.

Additionally, you can copy individual save files—limited to PS4 games only—and media gallery items to a standard USB flash stick.

Back-Up Data to External USB Storage

An external HDD or SSD is a simple and effective way to back up your PS5 data. With this method, you create a tangible duplicate of your data that you can quickly restore at any time. This method is ideal if you favor direct control over your backup data or don’t have a PlayStation Plus subscription for cloud-based game save backups.

The external drive must have adequate space for your backup. Since the PS5 comes with an 825GB internal storage drive, a 1TB USB drive is more than enough. However, a larger drive might be necessary if you have an NVMe M.2 SSD in the expansion bay.

Interestingly, the PS5 supports selective backups, where you can focus on specific data categories, allowing you to use a smaller drive for backup purposes. For instance, if your only concern is saved data and the media gallery and you’re willing to re-download games, a USB flash stick with 8-16GB capacity should cut it.

To back up the data on a PS5 to an external storage device, connect the drive to your PS5, and then:

1. Select the Settings icon on the top-right of the Home Screen.

2. Enter the System category.

3. Go to System Software > Back Up and Restore.

4. Select Back Up Your PS5.

5. Choose the types of data you want to back up—games and apps, save data, and media gallery. The backup always includes a copy of your PS5’s settings, so you can’t deselect it. Select Next to continue.

Note: The indicator on the top left projects the amount of used and free space on the external drive if you copy the selected data.

6. Name the backup within the Description box (or keep the default label intact) and select Back Up.

7. Wait until your PS5 backs up your data to the external drive. The console should reboot automatically a couple of times during the process.

If your PS5 indicates the connected drive is unsupported, use a PC or Mac to format it in the FAT32 or exFAT file system and retry.

If you use a Windows PC:

1. Open File Explorer, right-click the external drive, and select Format.

2. Set File system to FAT32 or exFAT and select Start.

3. Select OK on the confirmation pop-up.

If you use an Apple Mac:

1. Open the Launchpad and select Other > Disk Utility.
2. Select the external drive on the sidebar and choose Erase.
3. Set the Format to exFAT or MS-DOS (FAT) and select Erase.

Back-Up Data to PS Plus Cloud Storage

You can upload up to 100 GB of PS5 save data and 100 GB of PS4 save data to the PSN servers if you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber. By default, automatic PS Plus uploads are enabled for PS5 and PS4 games, so you don’t have to do anything. If not, here’s how to turn it on:

1. Open your PS5’s Settings menu and select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.

2. Go to Saved Data (PS5) > Sync Saved Data.

3. Enable the Auto-Sync Saved Data option.

4. Return to the Save Data and Game/App Settings screen and select Saved Data (PS4) > Auto-Upload.

5. Turn on the switch next to Enable Auto-Upload.

Alternatively, you can keep automatic updates disabled and upload saved data manually. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.

2. Go to Saved Data (PS5)/Saved Data (PS4) > Console Storage.

3. Switch to the Upload to Cloud Storage tab, mark the games you want to upload, and select Upload.

Back-Up Game Saves and Media Gallery to Flash Drive

Instead of using the PS5’s external drive backup function, you can manually copy all or specific amounts of saved data from PS4 games to a USB flash stick. You can also back up media gallery items (screenshots and video clips) to it.

To copy PS4 save files to a compatible flash stick, connect it to your console, and then:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Go to Console Storage > Saved Data.

3. Select PS4 Games.

4. Switch to the Copy to USB Drive tab, mark the games you want to copy, and select Copy.

To copy media gallery items to the USB drive:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Go to Console Storage > Media Gallery.

3. Enable the Select Multiple toggle on the left corner of the screen.

4. Mark the items you want to copy to the drive, select the More icon (three dots) to the right of the screen, and select Copy to USB Drive.

Restore PS5 From an External Drive Backup

If you have to factory reset your PS5, replace its internal storage drive, or upgrade to a new console, you can choose to restore the contents of your external backup drive. Assuming you made a complete backup, the process ensures you return to your games with all your progress, settings, and profiles intact.

Warning: Restoring a PS5 backup will permanently wipe any existing data from the console’s internal storage.

To restore PS5 data from an external drive backup, connect the storage device to your PS5, and then:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select System.

2. Go to System Software > Back Up and Restore.

3. Select Restore Your PS5.

4. Pick the backup you want to restore.

5. Select Restore.

Note: If the restoration process fails, update the PS5’s system software to its latest version and try again.

Restore Cloud Saves From PS Plus

If you have saved games backed up online thanks to PS Plus, they should auto-sync with the internal storage when you sign in to a PS5 with your PSN account. If they don’t, you can restore game saves manually. Here’s how:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.

2. Go to Saved Data (PS5)/Saved Data (PS4) > Cloud Storage.

3. Under the Download to Console Storage tab, mark the games you want to download, and select Download.

Restore Game Saves From Flash Drive

If you copied your PS4 save files to a USB flash drive, you can copy them back to the console’s internal storage. Here’s how:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.

2. Go to Saved Data (PS4) > USB Drive.

3. Under the Copy to Console Storage tab, mark the games you want to copy, and select Copy.

View Media Gallery Items on Flash Drive

You can’t copy back any media gallery items on a flash stick, but you can access and view them. To do that, connect the drive to your console, and then:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Go to Console Storage > Media Gallery.

3. Under the USB tab, select the PS4 or PS5 folder.

4. Select Create.

5. Select Screenshots.

6. Select a screenshot thumbnail to enlarge it.

You Now Know How to Back Up and Restore the PS5

Backing up your PS5 is crucial, and it’s not just about saving your games—it’s about safeguarding everything on your console. With this guide, you now know how to do it. Whether it’s copying everything to an external drive, uploading game saves to the cloud, or copying save files and gallery items to a flash stick, you’ve got multiple methods to protect your data. It’s always good to know all of your important data is safe and sound, and that you can restore them quickly if needed.

An external hard drive or SSD is a practical and cost-effective solution. It ramps up available storage space, allowing you to fit more games and helping the console run smoothly and efficiently.

This tutorial will provide a straightforward approach to setting up an external hard drive on the Sony PS5 and using it to move, install, and copy games.

Prepare for the Initial Setup

To extend the storage on your PS5, you must have an external hard drive or SSD that’s USB 3.0-compatible with a capacity of at least 250GB. Don’t worry if the drive is too big—the console handles sizes up to 8TB.

Additionally, you need a USB-3.0-compliant cable to connect the external drive to your PS5. If you’re unsure, just use the cable that came with the drive’s packaging.

It’s also necessary to free up the SuperSpeed USB-C port at the front or one of the USB-A ports at the rear of the console, depending on the cable your external drive uses. The forward-facing USB-A port is not compatible with extended storage media.

As a final step, ensure your PS5’s system software is up-to-date. That improves hardware compatibility and resolves known issues with the extended storage setup process. Navigate to Settings > System > Software Update to update the system software.

Related: Want to learn more about how the PS5 and extended storage devices work? Check our PS5 external storage drive explainer.

Format the External USB Drive

Assuming you have everything ready, it’s time to set up the external drive to work as an extended storage device with your PlayStation 5.

Warning: Back up any data on the external hard drive, as the PS5 requires erasing it before setup.

Begin by connecting the USB drive to the USB-C port on the front or a USB-A port on the rear of the console (there are two of them). Do not connect the drive through a USB hub. Then:

1. Select the Settings icon on the top right of the screen.

2. Scroll down the Settings menu and select Storage.

3. Go to USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.

4. Select Yes and wait until the console formats the drive.

5. Select OK to finish the setup process.

Move Games to the Extended Storage

With the hard drive set up as an extended storage device on the PS5, you can start moving games to it immediately. Here’s how:

1. Highlight the game you want to move on the Home Screen or Game Library.

2. Press the Options button and select Move Games and Apps.

3. Check the boxes next to any other games you want to move and select Move.

4. Select OK.

5. Wait until the console moves the games from its internal drive to the extended storage. It could take a while, depending on the latter’s writing speed.

Install Games on the Extended Storage

It’s possible to configure your PS5 to install games directly to its extended storage, but the functionality is restricted to PS4 versions of video games only. To set that up:

1. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Go to Installation Location > PS4 Games and Apps.

3. Press the Options button and select USB Extended Storage.

Digital and disc-based PS4 games should automatically copy data to the external drive from now onward.

Copy Back Games to Internal Storage

Developers design PS5 games to take advantage of the internal drive’s blazing-fast performance, so the console restricts you from playing them via extended storage. Hence, if you want to play a transferred PS5 game, you must copy it back. To do that:

1. Highlight the game on the Home Screen or Game Library and choose Copy.

2. Wait until your console finishes moving back the game.

Unlike PS5 games, you can play PS4 games from the external storage drive. Just select Play on the Home Screen or Game Library. However, if you want to benefit from the internal storage’s enhanced read speed, here’s how to move them back:

1. Highlight the game on the Home Screen, press the Options button, and choose Move Games and Apps.

2. Select any other games you’d like to copy back and select Move.

3. Select OK and wait until the console copies the selected item or items back.

Delete Games on the Extended Storage

If your USB extended storage device begins filling up, you can delete games to free up space. Here’s how:

1. Open the PS5’s Settings menu and select Storage.

2. Select USB Extended Storage > Games and Apps.

3. Pick a game and select the Options button.

4. Pick the Select Items to Delete option.

5. Enable the boxes next to any other games you want to remove and select Delete.

Remove the Extended Storage

You must only unplug a USB extended storage drive after safely unmounting it first. To do that:

1. Go to Settings > Storage.

2. Select USB Extended Storage > Safely Remove from PS5.

3. Disconnect the USB extended storage drive from your PS5 console.

Remember to plug the external drive back in whenever you want to move or copy back games.

You’ve Extended Your PS5’s Storage

That wraps it up! Boosting the PlayStation 5’s storage with an external hard drive or SSD is a smart move for any hardcore gamer. Granted, it doesn’t pack the same punch as slotting in an NVMe M.2 SSD, but it provides ample space for an expanding collection of games and puts the hassle of PS5 storage management in the backseat.

This troubleshooting guide will walk you through 10 fixes to tackle common hurdles in updating your PS5’s system software. From connectivity issues to storage woes, we’ll provide solutions to get your Sony PS5 up to date and running at its best.

1. Retry the System Software Download

Temporary network issues and random server glitches are common reasons behind PS5 system software updates that fail. Retry the update, and it should—hopefully—begin moving again. To do that:

1. Press the PS button on your DualSense wireless controller.
2. Select the Downloads/Uploads icon.
3. Highlight the failed system software update.

4. Press the Options button.
5. Select View Error Info and choose Try Again.

2. Check the Error Code

If the PS5’s system software update issue persists, note down the error code via the Downloads/Uploads queue (repeat the steps in the section above) and cross-check it with Sony’s list of error codes.

That should help you pinpoint the nature of the failure, enabling you to focus on fixes that apply to your specific case.

E.g., error code WS-116420-4 indicates the console is unable to communicate with the PSN servers.

3. Reboot Your PS5

Another quick fix is restarting your PS5. The procedure flushes the console memory and clears technical anomalies causing software update issues. To do that:

1. Press the PS button.
2. Scroll to the right and select the Power icon.
3. Select Restart PS5.

4. Check the PSN System Status

If you have trouble checking for newer versions of the system software or if updates take too long to download or constantly fail, the issue may lie not with your console but the PlayStation Network.

Check the PSN Service Status page to see if there are any known outages or maintenance activities. If PSN services are experiencing issues, you must wait until they’re resolved before updating your PS5.

Optionally, check social media sites like Twitter or Reddit to see if other PS5 gamers are experiencing similar issues.

5. Test Your Internet Connection

A stable internet connection is crucial for downloading PS5 system updates. To perform a connection test on the console, you must:

1. Select the Settings button on the top-left corner of the PS5 Home Screen.

2. Select Network.

3. Select Test Internet Connection.

If the internet connection test fails, there are a few things you can do to resolve the issue:

• If you’re using Wi-Fi, switch to a wired connection for more stability, if possible.
• Restart or reset your router to resolve potential network issues and increase internet speed.
• Connect to a different wireless or wired network.

For more network troubleshooting techniques, refer to our guides on fixing slow Wi-Fi and Ethernet.

6. Change DNS Servers

If there’s nothing wrong with your internet, but PS5 updates continue to fail, it’s a good idea to change the DNS (Domain Name System) servers to a popular public DNS service. This increases the console’s chances of successfully locating the best PSN servers to connect with.

To use Google Public DNS for a PS5 network connection:

1. Visit your PS5’s Settings menu.
2. Go to Network > Connection Status > Set Up Internet Connection.

3. Highlight an internet connection and press the Options button.
4. Select Advanced Settings.

5. Change DNS Settings from Automatic to Manual.
6. Set the Primary DNS to 8.8.8.8 and Secondary DNS to 8.8.4.4.

7. Select OK.

7. Free Up Storage Space

Although it’s impossible to initiate system software updates if there’s insufficient storage on your PS5, there are always bound to be issues if the console only has the bare minimum to work with. Ideally, you should have at least 10GB of free space for a system software update.

To free up PS5 storage, you must:

1. Visit your PS5’s Settings menu.
2. Scroll down the Settings menu and select Storage.

3. Review your list of games, apps, saved data, and the media gallery, and delete unwanted items.

Learn other ways to free up storage space on your PS5’s SSD.

8. Update System Software via USB

If your PS5’s system software downloads repeatedly fail, perform the update via USB. You need a Windows PC or Mac and a FAT32 or exFAT-formatted USB drive for the job. Here’s how:

1. Plug in the USB drive to your PC or Mac.
2. Open the USB drive via File Explorer or Finder and create a folder labeled PS5 and a sub-folder labeled UPDATE.

3. Download the latest version of the PS5 console update file from PlayStation Support.

4. Copy the PS5UPDATE.PUP file inside the UPDATE subfolder on the flash drive.

5. Connect the USB drive to your PS5.
6. Visit the PS5’s Settings menu and select System.

7. Select System Software > System Software Update and Settings.

8. Select Update System Software.

9. Choose Update via USB Storage.

10. Wait until your PS5 finishes updating itself via the USB drive.

9. Update System Software via Safe Mode

If you’ve tried everything and still can’t update your PS5’s system software, it’s time for Safe Mode. Think of Safe Mode as a special helper mode on the PS5 that only loads what’s necessary to run the console. The good thing is it lets you update the system software in this simplified state, and it might be just what you need to get a problematic update to proceed.

To enter Safe Mode and update a PS5:

1. Turn off your PS5.
2. Hold the Power button to turn the console back on and release it after the second beep.
3. Wait until your PS5 boots into Safe Mode.
4. Connect your controller via USB and press the PS button on the DualSense controller.
5. Select Update System Software.

You can also update your PS5 in Safe Mode via USB.

1. Download the latest update from the PlayStation website onto a USB drive (instructions in the section above).
2. Enter Safe Mode on your PS5.
3. Select Update System Software and choose Update from USB Storage Device.

10. Reset Your PS5 Settings

If nothing’s worked so far, it’s time to reset your PS5’s settings to factory defaults. This gives your PS5 a fresh start—without deleting any data—and fixes problems caused by corrupt settings. Here’s how:

1. Visit your PS5’s Settings menu.
2. Select System.

3. Go to System Software > Reset Options.

4. Select Restore Default Settings.

If system software updates continue to fail, your only remaining option is to wipe all data and factory reset your PS5.

You’ve Successfully Updated Your PS5’s System Software

Keeping your Sony PS5’s system software and firmware up-to-date is integral to maximizing your gaming experience. Update-related issues do occur at some point or the other, but with standard troubleshooting, you should be able to sort things out (in most cases, reasonably quickly). From retrying the download to checking your internet connection, using Safe Mode, or even updating via a PC or Mac, there are various ways to overcome these obstacles.

If you plan on using the PlayStation Store for most of your video game purchases or own a PS5 Digital Edition, you need to know how to download and install your purchases. In this walkthrough, you’ll learn six ways to seamlessly download and install games on a PS5.

1. Download Games Through PSN After Purchasing

Whenever you purchase a video game or DLC (Downloadable content) on the PlayStation Store, you can download it immediately. Just select the Download option following checkout. If you purchase a video game bundle or compilation, you can choose to Download All or just individual items only.

Depending on the game, you can pick between a PS4 and PS5 version. Unless you have any save data-related compatibility issues, always choose the PS5 version for superior performance and graphical options.

To view the progress of a download, press your DualSense controller’s PS button, select the Downloads/Uploads icon, and select the game on the downloads queue. Your PS5 automatically installs it after the download—usually, that only takes a few seconds.

2. Download Games via the Game Library

The Game Library on your PS5 houses all the games associated with your PlayStation account. It’s a convenient way to download games you’ve already purchased or added to your library—including titles from PlayStation Plus—but didn’t download right away.

Head to the Game Library, locate your desired game, and initiate the download. Here’s how:

1. Scroll to the left on the PS5 Home Screen and select Game Library.

2. Go to the Your Collection tab and pick the video game you want to download.

Note: To view purchased games from the PlayStation Store only, select the Filter icon (right of the screen) and set the Source. Also add PlayStation Plus to the filter if you want to view downloads from your PS Plus subscription.

3. Select Download.

3. Search and Download Purchases From the PlayStation Store

An alternative method to downloading games you’ve purchased earlier is to search for and download them directly via the PlayStation Store. Just:

1. Visit the PlayStation Store from your PS5’s Home Screen and select the Search icon on the top-right corner.

2. Type the video game’s title into the Search box and visit its store page. If you’ve already bought the game, you should see a Download button—select it to add the game to your Downloads/Uploads queue.

4. Initiate a Video Game Download via the PlayStation App

The PS App for Android and iOS helps you manage various aspects of your PS5, including initiating remote downloads. Assuming you already have it set up on your mobile device:

1. Open the PS App.
2. Switch to the Game Library tab.
3. Set the filters to Games and Purchased.
4. Tap the title you want to download.
5. Tap Download to Console.

Your PlayStation 5 should download the game if it’s in Rest Mode or when you turn on the console the next time. You can also set up your games to download after purchasing them through the PS App’s PS Store tab.

If you’ve yet to set up the PS App on your mobile device, here’s how:

1. Download the PS App from the Google Play Store (Android) or the Apple App Store (iPhone).
2. Open the PS App and sign in with your PlayStation Account.
3. Under the Play tab, tap the Settings icon at the screen’s top right.
4. Go to Console Management > Sign In on PS5.
5. Select your PS5 and tap Confirm.

5. Initiate a Game Download via a Web Browser

The web version of the PlayStation Store—accessible on any desktop or mobile device—provides another way to prep video game downloads to your PS5. Just visit the PlayStation Store using a web browser on your PC, Mac, Android, or iPhone, sign in with your PlayStation account, and then:

1. Select your profile portrait on the top-right of the browser window and choose Game Library.

2. Select the Purchased tab (or PlayStation Plus if you want to download PS Plus games) and pick the game you want to download.

3. Select Download from Library.

The download should start automatically if your PS5 is in Rest Mode and connected to the internet. If not, it should begin the next time you turn on or wake up the console. It’s also possible to download games following a purchase on the PS web store.

6. Download Video Games via Remote Play

Remote Play allows you to stream your PS5’s screen to another device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or PC, and use it as if you were in front of the console. If you already use PS Remote Play, navigate to your Game Library or the PSN Store and download the game you want.

If you don’t have PS Remote Play:

1. Download the PS Remote App from the PlayStation website (PC or Mac), Google Play Store (Android), or Apple App Store (iPhone and iPad).
2. Load the Settings menu on your PS5, go to System > Remote Play, and enable the switch next to Enable Remote Play.
3. Open the PS App on your desktop or mobile, sign in with your PlayStation account, and select your PS5 to access it remotely—you need a moderately fast internet connection to interact with the console.

You’ve Got Multiple Ways to Download Games on PS5

The PlayStation 5 simplifies downloading and installing games by providing several methods, including the Game Library, PS App, and PlayStation Store. This flexibility ensures you can set up your games easily, regardless of whether you are near or away from your console.

There are different benefits and drawbacks to PlayStation Plus and Game Pass. This article will explore them all so it’s easier for you to choose which one to go with if you also can’t decide which console to buy. Some aspects of these two services are different and you should be fully aware of where you’re putting your money.

PlayStation Plus

The first form of Sony’s subscription service was known as Sony Now, and it came out in 2015. This standalone subscription allowed its users to stream hundreds of Sony titles, old and new. But in June 2022, Sony decided to change its subscription service and expand it into three tiers. The new subscription plan was named PlayStation Plus, and the tiers are Essential, Extra, and Premium.

The Essential PS Plus plan gives you one PS5 game and two PS4 games every month. But you have access to online multiplayer and cloud storage. With it, you’ll have exclusive discounts on all games available for the Sony PlayStation console.

The PS Plus Extra plan gives you access to a catalog of over 400 PS5 and PS4 titles, all of them downloadable. Ubisoft+ Classic titles are included in this plan, so you can play some of the most famous Ubisoft games for no extra cost.

The PS Plus Premium plan is a combination of Essential and Extra tiers and more. You’ll be able to stream and download PS5 and PS4 games and only stream PS3 games. The catalog expands to PS1, PS2, and PSP games, adding over 340 titles to the already existing library of over 400 games. Ubisoft+ Classic titles are also included.

To stream games using the PS Plus Premium tier, you’ll need an internet connection. Sony recommends at least 5 Mbps for your stream to be smooth. Use the streaming service only if you don’t want to bother downloading the game. The only downside is that you can expect some lag and sudden fps drops on occasion.

Xbox Game Pass

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass is available for Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. But you can also get the Game Pass for PC if you have Windows 10 or 11. Until recently, Game Pass games were download-only. But Microsoft decided to offer their users a streaming service, and now you won’t have to fill your storage with games you want to try out. However, if you want to play online games, you’ll need Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Unlike PS Plus, Xbox Game Pass has no tiers, and it’s a pretty straightforward service. All the titles from any Xbox generation will be automatically available to you, and you can download and play as many as you want. That is, provided you have enough storage on your Xbox console.

To keep your Xbox Game Pass subscription valid, you have to check in with Xbox Live at least every 30 days. Some titles will leave Xbox Game Pass, the others will join it. Unfortunately, you can’t predict the games that’ll be in the Xbox catalog. However, as a subscriber, you get a discount on buying any game from the catalog, or any game’s DLC.

PlayStation Plus Vs Xbox Game Pass Pricing and Plans

Both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass plans start at $10 per month. However, since PS Plus has three different tiers, it has a slightly different price for each of them. PS Plus also lets you pay monthly, quarterly, or per year. Check out the price comparison in the table below:

Xbox Game Pass for Console and for PC costs only $10 per month. You have access to the whole Xbox game library and you can download any game you want. But you can’t stream the games. In order to stream, you’ll have to go with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is $15 per month.

PlayStation Plus plans we explained in the section above. The Essential, which is the basic plan, is $10 per month and it gives you three downloadable games and access to online multiplayer support. For $15 you can upgrade to PS Plus Extra and get access to the whole Sony PlayStation game library. To stream the games however, you’ll have to pay $18 per month for the PS Plus Premium subscription.

PlayStation Plus Vs Xbox Game Pass Game Library

The whole vision behind both PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass is to give users access to a Netflix-like library of content. In this case, the content is games that you can download or stream, depending on the plan you choose. Both platforms have extensive video game libraries, but they have different approaches to maintaining their catalogs and how they add new titles.

While Sony waits a few months to add the newest titles to their PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium tiers, Microsoft adds the new titles to their Xbox Game Pass on their release date. This is a big deal if you like playing the newest games as soon as they’re released. On the other hand, if you prefer indie games, you’ll be happy to hear that Sony adds these titles to all their PS Plus plans on day one.

Both service providers also partnered up with various game studios and offered their games. For example, if you love EA Games and their titles such as Need for Speed, the Sims, or Star Wars, you might want to go with the Xbox Game Pass as you can play them on the Xbox console. Microsoft is also in partnership with Riot, and you can use their Game Pass for PC to play League of Legends. On the other hand, Sony partnered up with Ubisoft, and their catalog as well as the Ubisoft+ Classic games list, is accessible through the PlayStation console. If you love Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, and the Tom Clancy franchise, you might want to go for PS Plus.

Not all games are permanently available in Microsoft’s or Sony’s game catalog. That depends on the publisher. For sure, all first-party games, developed and published by Microsoft or Sony, will stay in the catalog permanently. But the games made by third-party developers will rotate out of the catalogs. This is especially true for new games that have a set timeframe for how long they will be available. Classic first-party titles tend to stay available permanently.

That said, here are some of the most popular and successful games available on each console subscription service.

Most Popular PS Plus Games

• God of War
• Horizon Forbidden West
• Doom Eternal
• Final Fantasy 16
• Spiderman
• Death Stranding
• Red Dead Redemption II
• Assassin’s Creed franchise

Most Popular Xbox Game Pass Games

• Halo: The Master Chief Collection
• Ghostwire: Tokyo
• Minecraft Legends
• Goat Simulator
• Watch Dogs 2
• Among Us
• Forza Horizon 5
• Mass Effect

PlayStation Plus Vs Xbox Game Pass Game Streaming

Game Streaming, or Cloud Gaming is supported by Xbox Game Pass Ultra and PlayStation Plus Premium. You can use this feature to stream the games on your console, or other devices in case you don’t own Xbox or PlayStation.

Xbox cloud gaming with Game Pass Ultra lets you stream games on Xbox consoles, PC, tablets, smartphones, and some Samsung smart TVs. Some titles are even optimized for touchscreens, so you won’t need to use a controller to play them on mobile devices.

PlayStation Plus Premium offers streaming only on PS5 and PS4 consoles, and PC. For now, there’s no option to directly stream to smartphones or TVs. Games that were specifically developed for PlayStation 5 cannot be streamed yet. However, you can always download these titles to your host PS5 console, and then stream them to your PC, Mac, iOS, and Android devices.

The advantage of the PS Plus Premium plan is in its Play Share feature. Use it to share your screen with online friends and play games together as if you were in the same room. Xbox Game Pass doesn’t offer this or any similar feature.

PlayStation Plus Vs Xbox Game Pass Verdict

For now, the Xbox Game Pass wins over PlayStation Plus, but PlayStation Plus is catching up and offering some nice benefits to their subscription service too. Getting premium game titles and releasing them on the same day is a huge plus for Xbox Game Pass.

Although both Sony and Microsoft offer their subscription plans for PC gaming, Xbox does it with smartphones too and allows mobile users to enjoy some of their titles without even having to bother with the controller. Sony has yet to expand its offer of exclusive high-profile titles and device support.

Although Xbox Game Pass is a better bang for your buck, it’s only because it was on the market much longer and it had time to develop. Given time, Sony will catch up and it’s already catching up reasonably quickly. You can already spend thousands of hours with a PS Plus subscription.

That said, the ultimate decision about which to choose will depend on the games you want to play. Check out the full libraries of both Sony’s PlayStation Plus and Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass and look for the titles you want to play. In this area, it’s worth mentioning that the PlayStation Plus catalog is larger than the Xbox Game Pass catalog, and Sony has some of the most attractive and award-winning titles that are exclusive to the PlayStation console.

If the Xbox app refuses to open or work correctly, you’re likely dealing with a random software hiccup, a corrupt application cache, or problems with the operating system. This article will walk you through multiple suggestions and solutions to fix Xbox app launch issues on Windows 11.

Quit and Relaunch the Xbox App

If the Xbox app hangs, freezes, or crashes upon launch, consider force-quitting and relaunching the application. This simple action often resolves minor glitches and other issues preventing it from functioning properly.

To do that:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
2. Select the Xbox process.
3. Choose End task—select the More icon (three dots) if you don’t see this button.

4. Repeat for other Xbox-related processes underneath the Background processes list—e.g., Xbox Game Bar, Xbox Identity Provider, etc.
5. Relaunch the Xbox app.

Restart Gaming Services

The Xbox app relies on a system process called Gaming Services to work in Windows 11. Restart it via the Services app and check if that makes a difference.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc into the Run dialog, and select OK.
2. Scroll down and right-click Gaming Services.
3. Select Restart.

If the option appears grayed out, double-click the service, select Start, and ensure that Startup type is set to Automatic.

4. Repeat for any other instances of Gaming Services.
5. Optionally, restart the following Xbox services further along the list:

• Xbox Accessory Management
• Xbox Live Auth Manager
• Xbox Live Game Save
• Xbox Live Networking Service.

Restart Your Windows PC

Before moving on, it’s best to restart your PC. A fresh start can often resolve minor bugs and software conflicts that could stop the Xbox app from opening. It also serves as a starting point for further troubleshooting.

Just open the Start menu and select Power > Restart to initiate a system reboot. Continue with the rest of the fixes if the issue persists.

Check for Network-Related Issues

If the Xbox app launches but nothing loads, it could be something to do with the Microsoft servers. Visit the Xbox System Status page. If any Xbox servers appear down, wait until Microsoft gets them back online.

Additionally, check the speed of your internet connection at Fast.com. If it’s slow, try rebooting or resetting your router. You should also turn off any active VPNs (virtual private networks). If the issue persists, learn how to fix a slow Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection.

Set the Correct Date and Time

An incorrect date or time in Windows 11 can prevent the Xbox app from communicating with its servers, resulting in loading issues. To check:

1. Right-click the Clock and select Adjust date & time.
2. Enable the switches next to Set time automatically and Set time zone automatically. If they’re already active, disable and re-enable them.

3. Select Sync now.

If the date and time continue to appear incorrectly, learn how to set the date and time manually in Windows 11.

Run the Windows Store Troubleshooter

Windows 11 has a dedicated troubleshooter that helps identify and resolve problems with Microsoft Store-related apps like Xbox. To run it:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Go to System > Troubleshoot.
3. Select Other troubleshooters.
4. Select Run next to the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

5. Follow the onscreen instructions to resolve issues the troubleshooter detects.

Reset and Repair the Xbox App

If the Xbox app fails to open, resetting it to its default settings can resolve issues caused by configuration problems.

To do that:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Settings.
2. Select Installed apps.
3. Scroll down the list and select the More icon (three dots) next to Xbox.
4. Select Advanced options.

5. Select Terminate.
6. Select Reset.

7. Open the Xbox app. If it launches or loads correctly, sign in to Xbox Live with your Microsoft Account.

If resetting doesn’t help, repeat the steps above and select the Repair button in step 6 to repair the Xbox app installation.

Clear the Microsoft Store Cache

Clearing the Microsoft Store cache and restoring the program to its default settings can resolve issues with Microsoft Store-related apps, including the Xbox app.

To do that, use the WSReset tool. Here’s how:

1. Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
2. Type wsreset.exe into the search bar.

3. Press Enter.

A blank Command Prompt console should briefly appear and disappear, and the Microsoft Store should momentarily appear. Attempt to re-open the Xbox app after that.

Re-register Microsoft Store Apps

Re-registering the list of Microsoft Store-related apps in Windows helps resolve problems originating from corrupt configurations. To do that:

1. Type Windows PowerShell into the search box on the taskbar and select Run as administrator.
2. Select Yes on the User Account Control pop-up.
3. Copy-paste and execute the following command:

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}

Update the Xbox App

Updating the Xbox app is a vital troubleshooting step for resolving launch issues on Windows 11. This is because updates often contain bug fixes and compatibility improvements with the operating system. To do that:

1. Open the Microsoft Store and select Library.
2. Select Get Updates.
3. Select Update next to Xbox if there’s a pending update.

Remove and Reinstall the Xbox App

If there are no new updates or the issues persist, it’s time to remove and reinstall the Xbox app. That should help patch severe problems from a corrupt program installation.

To do that:

1. Right-click the Start button and select Apps & features/Installed apps.
2. Select the More icon next to Xbox.
3. Select Uninstall.
4. Select Uninstall again to confirm.

5. Visit the Microsoft Store and visit the Xbox app’s store page.
6. Select Install.

Update Windows to Its Latest Version

Keeping Windows up to date is crucial for smooth application performance. Updates ensure enhanced compatibility between the operating system and apps, resolve known bugs for greater stability, and improve security by patching vulnerabilities. This creates a more reliable and secure environment for applications.

To update Windows 11:

1. Open the Windows Settings app.
2. Select Windows Update.
3. Select the Check for Updates button. If there are pending updates, select Download and Install.

Get the Xbox App Up and Running ASAP

We’ve gone through various troubleshooting steps to fix the “Xbox app not opening” issue on Windows 11. From simply restarting your PC to making sure Windows is updated, these steps should systematically help you find and solve the problem effectively.

Once the Xbox app is working again, you can enjoy all the features and gaming experiences it has to offer without hitches. Plus, remembering some of these easy fixes will come in handy for quickly solving any issues that might come up later on.

How to Check PS5 DualSense Controller Battery Life

It’s easy to check your controller’s battery life while it’s charging. Just press the PS button on the controller. While it’s charging, you’ll see an animated battery icon. Once the controller’s battery is fully charged, the battery icon will be static and display three bars.

How to Make Your PS5 DualSense Controller Battery Last Longer

You might be doing certain things that cause your controller battery to drain faster than normal — and you’re not alone. Luckily, there are steps you can take to make your PS5 controller battery last longer, and we’ll show you some tips and tricks below.

Set Your Controller to Turn Off Automatically

It makes sense that leaving your controller on for hours when you’re not using it quickly drains battery life. The best way to combat this is to set your controller to turn off automatically when you’re not using it. Here’s how to do that:

1. From the PS5 main menu, select Settings.
2. Select System > Power Saving.
3. Under Set Time Until Controllers Turn Off, you can choose After 10 Minutes, 30 Minutes, 60 Minutes, or Don’t Turn Off.
4. For maximum battery saving, select 10 Minutes.

Your PS5 DualSense controller will now turn off automatically after ten minutes of inactivity.

Turn Off Your Controller Manually

While you could set your controller to turn off automatically, you might prefer to do this manually, for example, if you know you’re going off to do something else and don’t want to wait the set time for it to turn off. Here’s how to turn off your controller manually:

1. Press the PS button.
2. Scroll to the right of the Quick Menu and select Accessories.
3. In the controller pop-up, select DualSense Wireless Controller.
4. Choose Turn Off.

5. When you’re ready to use your controller again, just press the PS button.

Automatically Mute Your Mic

If you’re playing solo and you’re not using a headset, the controller will use a lot more battery life constantly listening for voice commands. While you can press the mic button on the controller to mute it, you might forget to do that every time you’re gaming. You can set your mic to automatically mute, and here’s how:

1. Go to Settings.
2. Select Sound > Microphone.
3. Set Microphone Status When Logged In to Mute.

4. You can always quickly turn your mic on and off again using the button on the DualSense controller, if needed.

Change Haptic Feedback and Trigger Effect Intensity

Realistic rumble is all well and good, but the PS5 DualSense controller’s vibration and trigger effect intensity could be impacting battery life. Both of these are set to Strong by default. Here’s how to change them to eke more juice out of your controller’s battery:

1. Go to Settings > Accessories.
2. Select Controller (General).

3. Under Vibration Intensity, select from Strong, Medium, Weak, or Off.
4. Under Trigger Effect Intensity, select from Strong, Medium, Weak, or Off.

5. Though you’ll see maximum battery saving from Weak or Off, we’d recommend Medium for most players, as this gives a good mix of performance and battery saving.

Charge Your Controllers In Rest Mode

Ensuring your controllers are charging whenever your console is in rest mode is a good habit to get into. When you see the orange light on your PS5, it’s in rest mode. Here’s how to set your controllers to charge in rest mode.

1. Go to Settings > System.
2. Select Power Saving.

3. Choose Features Available in Rest Mode.
4. Under Supply Power to USB Ports, select Always, 3 Hours, or Off.

5. The controller should generally reach full charge within three hours, so it’s up to you whether to select Always or 3 Hours.
6. You’ll know whether your controller is charging in rest mode as its LEDs will pulse orange.

Reduce the DualSense Controller Speaker Volume

The controller’s built-in speaker can drain battery life so you can reduce this to save battery, or wear headphones so it isn’t used. Here’s how to reduce the DualSense controller speaker volume:

1. Go to Settings > Accessories.
2. Select Controller (General).
3. Scroll down to Controller Speaker.
4. Use the slider to reduce the volume.

5. You can also access this setting by going to Settings > Sound > Volume > Controller. Speaker.

Adjust Brightness of Controller Indicators

While this won’t make a huge difference to your PS5 controller battery life, every little bit helps. Turning down the brightness of your controller indicators could eke out a little extra battery life to see you through intense gaming sessions without the need to recharge. Here’s how to do it:

1. Go to Settings > Accessories.
2. Select Controller (General).
3. Under Brightness of Controller Indicators, choose from Bright (Standard), Medium, or Dim.
4. Medium is a good setting for most games.

Buy an Extra-Long Charging Cable

If you still can’t seem to get as much battery life as you’d like out of your PS DualSense controller, why not grab an extra-long charging cable? The one shipped with the PS5 is rather short, and buying an extra-long one (around nine feet) means you can carry on gaming while your controller is charging. If your PS5 controller isn’t charging, we’ve got some fixes you can try.

Whether you give a few of these tips and tricks a go or implement them all, you’re sure to notice an improvement in your PS controller battery life, so you won’t need to be constantly plugging your controller in to charge.

How to Cancel Nintendo Subscription on Your Switch

Your Nintendo Switch Online subscription is set to automatically renew at the end of each billing period. Luckily, it’s easy to turn off auto renewal if you want to cancel Nintendo subscription. The easiest way to cancel your subscription to Nintendo Switch Online is to do it from the Nintendo Switch eShop on your Switch – great if you’re already in the middle of a solo gaming session or your console is switched on. Here’s how to do it.

Note: Make sure you turn off automatic renewal at least 48 hours before the billing period ends or you risk being charged for another month’s subscription fees.

1. From the HOME Menu, select Nintendo eShop.
2. Select your account.
3. In the upper right corner, you’ll see your user icon. Tap it to access Account Information (this is also where you can change card details for your subscription).

4. From the menu on the left side of your screen, select Nintendo Switch Online.
5. If you have an active subscription, you’ll see Terminate Automatic Renewal next to the appropriate membership (if you don’t, you’ll see Membership Options).
6. Select it to cancel Nintendo subscription.

7. Provided it’s more than 48 hours until your next billing date, you won’t be charged and your membership will be automatically canceled from the next billing date.

How to Cancel Your Nintendo Switch Online Subscription From Your Browser

If your Switch is turned off, or if you’re away from home and don’t have your console with you, you can easily cancel your Nintendo Switch Online subscription through any internet browser in just a few clicks. Keep reading, and we’ll show you how.

1. In your browser on your smartphone or computer, navigate to http://accounts.nintendo.com and sign in to your Nintendo account.
2. Select Shop Menu.
3. Scroll down to select Nintendo Switch Online, then select Terminate Automatic Renewal next to the Nintendo Switch Online subscription you wish to cancel.

It takes just a few minutes of your time to cancel Nintendo subscription, and canceling doesn’t have to mean forever. You might just want to cancel to save money for a month or two, and it’s easy to resubscribe should you change your mind and decide you want to game online or play the best Nintendo Switch retro games.

One thing to bear in mind is that when you cancel your subscription, your Save Data Cloud backup is no longer available, and Nintendo can’t guarantee that it will keep your data for an extended period of time, should you resubscribe in future.

Minecraft Factions are servers that enable players to engage in large-scale PvP content. In Factions servers, players form groups and defend their land and resources against rival factions. Below, we’ll list the six best Faction servers in Minecraft.

1. OP Blocks

OP Blocks is one of the best Minecraft faction servers around at the moment. With multiple servers, including Prison, Survival, Skyblock, and Pixelmon, there’s something for everyone. They also provide servers for both Java and Bedrock Edition.

OP Blocks is presently one of the most (if not the most) popular servers, with up to 4,500 players at any time.

However, to get the most out of OP Blocks, you need to purchase a rank (using real money). Serf, the lowest rank, lets you use basic commands, play minigames, and gain access to a rudimentary kit of a pickaxe and basic materials. This rank has a one-time cost of $21.98. To get the highest rank, you’ll need to spend $439.98.

Server IP Address: fun.opblocks.com

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 10/10

2. Complex Vanilla

Complex Vanilla is a Factions server hosted by Complex Gaming. Currently, they have five different types of servers: Prison, Creative, Survival, Skyblock, and Factions, all of which run on Minecraft Java Edition version 1.19.2.

They also host three different Factions worlds. In these, players can fight for their Faction or create a hidden base and attempt to go unnoticed. By killing mobs, players can generate in-game currency and purchase more powerful equipment. And every two months, the servers are reset for another round.

Complex Vanilla is one of the more popular Factions servers around at the moment, with almost 2,000 players spread across their servers.

Unfortunately, as in many Factions servers, Complex Vanilla is somewhat pay-to-win. In-game upgrades can be bought using in-game money (that’s purchased with real money).

Server IP Address: hub.mc-complex.com

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 9/10

3. MassiveCraft

MassiveCraft is one of the original Minecraft Faction servers, combining PvP, Factions, survival, roleplay, quests, duels, dungeons, and adventure game modes into a single experience. With multiple maps and several custom plugins, everyone can find something that’s their speed on the MassiveCraft server.

For example, you can join a Faction, create your base, and fight for supremacy. Alternatively, you can create a towny character and make your own unique story in the roleplay hub of Regalia.

MassiveCraft claims to have no pay-to-win features. However, they offer purchasable ranks with cosmetic perks and “fair gameplay” features. Rather than using an in-game currency based on real money, trading is done via silver blocks.

Server IP Address: massivecraft.com

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 4/10

4. LemonCloud

LemonCloud, unlike some of the other options on this list, is mostly dedicated to Factions. Because of this, they have many Factions-specific events, kits, and features that improve gameplay considerably.

In their competitive server, players grind for overpowered gear and compete to rule the land. However, to get most of the powerful weapons, armor, and skills, you’ll need to make in-game purchases or buy “Dragon Keys.”

A unique feature LemonCloud provides is the ability for players to create shops and sell items that they’ve designed themselves. This enables players to bypass (somewhat) the pay-to-win nature of the server by generating in-game money (it’s a TNT-based economy) without spending real money.

Server IP Address: play.lemoncloud.org

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 5/10

5. Purple Prison

Mostly known for its prison server, Purple Prison also provides a lesser-known Factions server. Having been online since 2014, Purple Prison is one of the longest-running servers on Minecraft. The server runs on Java Edition and uses an older version (Minecraft 1.20) to increase accessibility for players.

Purple Prison provides dozens of server types, including Bedwars, Skywars, Skyblock, Prison, Parkour, LifeSteal SMP, RPG, PvP, Factions, KitPvP, and MiniGames.

Like many of the other servers in this list, Purple Prison suffers from a pay-to-win problem. Veteran players are mostly active spenders on the server, using money to access premium features.

Server IP Address: purpleprison.org

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 6/10

6. Advancius Network

Advancius advertises itself as a non-pay-to-win server and offers 100+ free ranks so that new players can dive right in without spending real money. Their goal is to provide a rank system that rewards skill and hard work rather than rewarding whoever spends the most money.

As you gain ranks, you gain new abilities, skills, equipment, and enchantments that increase your power and make you a force to be reckoned with.

Advancius servers include Prison, Factions, Skyblock, Survival Multiplayer (SMP), Creative, and many more game modes, all hosted on the Java Edition with various plugins and mods.

Server IP Address: mc.advancius.net

Discord Server: Yes

Popularity: 4/10

Honorable Mentions

There are dozens if not hundreds of Minecraft Factions servers, and while they aren’t all as good as the six we’ve listed above, many others deserve a mention. If the listed servers didn’t pique your interest, have a look at these:

1. ManaCube. A long-running Factions server with multiple game modes, daily events, tournaments, and full-time staff moderators. They have thousands of active players but are heavily pay-to-win.
2. TheArchon. A well-reviewed Factions server with a respected staff team and great community. Usually, around 150 active players are online at any time. The server gets reset every few weeks to keep content fresh.
3. SnapCraft. A relatively new server with multiple game modes and an active community. They use TNT mechanics in their Factions server to make battles more fun.

Join a Factions Server Today

Factions servers are so great because they allow large groups of gamers to get together, create an army, gather resources, and fight to be the strongest Faction on the server. Unfortunately, many Factions servers are pay-to-win, which is often frowned upon by Minecraft players.

In this server list, we’ve tried to provide a well-rounded list of servers that enable in-game purchases and those that don’t, so hopefully, there’s something for everyone!