How to set up and use the Sony PlayStation Portal handheld with your PS5
Set up PS5 Remote Play on PlayStation Portal, connect over Wi-Fi, use the controls, and troubleshoot common connection problems.
Connect your PlayStation Portal to Wi-Fi, sign in with the same PlayStation account used on your PS5, and enable Remote Play on the console. Then tap the Portal icon on its home screen to connect.
Before you start
You need a PS5 connected to the internet, a PlayStation account, and a stable Wi-Fi connection for the Portal. Your PS5 must be turned on or in rest mode. Update the PS5 to the latest system software, and sign in to the same account on both devices.
If the PS5 still needs to be connected to the internet, follow the PS5 internet setup guide.
This guide covers Remote Play, which streams from your own PS5. The supplied PlayStation instructions do not list a PlayStation Plus requirement for this mode. Cloud Streaming is a separate feature: PlayStation says its Cloud Streaming settings are available only for adult accounts in regions where PlayStation Plus Premium is available. The supplied instructions do not detail eligibility for individual streamed games, and Cloud Streaming is not needed for Remote Play from your PS5.
Set up your PS5 for Remote Play
On the PS5 home screen, go to Settings > System > Remote Play.
Select Enable Remote Play. Turn on the setting for the user who will use Remote Play.
To let the Portal wake the PS5 over the network while it is in rest mode, go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning on PS5 from Network.
The Remote Play setting remains saved until you change it. The rest-mode options are needed if you want to start Remote Play while the PS5 is resting; otherwise, turn on the console before connecting.
Connect the Portal
Complete the Portal’s on-screen connection and sign-in steps. Connect it to Wi-Fi and use the same PlayStation account as on the PS5.
Turn on the PS5, or leave it in rest mode if you enabled the network wake settings above.
On the Portal home screen, tap the Portal icon or press the cross button. It attempts to connect to the PS5 you used previously.
Once connected, use the Portal’s buttons and sticks to control the game.
For a first connection, try this while near the PS5. PlayStation warns that if it has been a while since you last signed in, the Portal may not find the console when you try to connect from elsewhere. Confirming a connection nearby first can help establish that Remote Play is ready.
Improve the connection
Remote Play needs a stable, high-speed connection. PlayStation recommends a connection of at least 15 Mbps for a better experience; this is a recommendation, not a guarantee of performance.
If possible, connect the PS5 to the internet with a wired connection.
If the PS5 uses Wi-Fi, connect the PS5 and Portal to the same Wi-Fi network.
Use a 5 GHz Wi-Fi connection for the Portal.
If your router automatically switches between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, PlayStation suggests disabling that band-steering function if possible.
When using public Wi-Fi, connection quality may be outside your control.
Use the touch controls and disconnect
Some DualSense controller functions are mapped to the Portal’s touchscreen. During gameplay, tap the screen to display touch-pad areas on the left and right. Tap or swipe within them to use the touch pad; double-tap an area to use it as a touch-pad button.
To stop playing, open the Portal’s quick menu and select Disconnect. If you also want the connected PS5 to enter rest mode when Remote Play ends, turn on Put the connected PS5 in rest mode before selecting Disconnect.
Troubleshoot connection problems
The Portal does not find the PS5
Check that the console is on or in rest mode, that Remote Play is enabled for the account, and that both devices use the same PlayStation account. If the console is resting, confirm that both rest-mode network options are enabled. If you have not connected in a while, try connecting while near the PS5 first.
You want to connect to a different PS5
If Remote Play is active, disconnect first. From the Portal home screen, open the quick menu and select the PS5 icon. The console used last time appears under the icon; choose the PS5 you want. If it is not listed, PlayStation says it may not be ready for Remote Play.
The picture or play feels unstable
Check the Wi-Fi connection and try the recommended network setup: wired internet for the PS5 where possible, 5 GHz Wi-Fi for the Portal, and the same Wi-Fi network for both devices if the PS5 is wireless. Public Wi-Fi can have variable quality.
For device-specific help, consult PlayStation’s official Portal Remote Play support page.
Verify setup is complete
You are ready when the Portal connects from its home screen and you can control a game on the PS5. If you intend to play while the console is resting, also confirm that the two rest-mode network settings are enabled and test a connection with the PS5 in rest mode.
