Top 5 New Features in PS5 System Software

The PS5 has received several major software updates since its launch in November 2020. On September 15, 2021, Sony released the latest system version: 21.02-04. Here are the highlights of the innovations in this version of the PS5's system software.

M.2 SSD Expansion Support

The PS5's internal SSD is incredibly fast, but its limited size can't hold many games. With this update, Sony has finally added functionality that allows an additional M.2 SSD within the system.

Only certain SSD models will work with the PS5 and they are not cheap, so be sure to review Sony's PS5 SSD requirements before purchasing. Once you have a driver, installation is a relatively simple process. You'll now be able to hold more games while enjoying the same super-fast storage.

User Experience Improvements

With this PS5 update, Sony has introduced some visual changes that make it easier to navigate the PS5's menus. One of them is the option to customize the Control Center that appears when you press the PS Button on your controller while on your console's home screen. You can now rearrange the controls as you see fit and hide any you don't need.

You will also find that the Game Base menu now allows for faster access to common functions. You can see how many of your friends are online or offline, plus you can easily message parties. Also, your game library now shows separate entries for PS4 and PS5 versions of games if you have both installed. Each game shows more clearly whether it is PS4 or PS5 game; This is useful if you often take advantage of the PS5's backward compatibility.

3D Sound for Internal Speakers

Sony's 3D Audio functionality allows you to hear in-game sounds more realistically, providing a more immersive listening experience. Until now, it was only available when using headphones. But as part of this update, you can now use 3D Audio on your PS5 through your TV's speakers. For this, the calibration process uses the microphone in your controller to measure the acoustics of the room. Go to Settings > Sound > Sound Output to set it under the TV section.

Trophy Enhancements

PS5's Trophy menu now uses a vertical layout. This fits a lot more information on the screen, making it easier to see the trophies' requirements without opening each one. A huge improvement over the original horizontal layout. There's also a new trophy tracking function to track progress of up to five trophies per game. This is accessible from the Switcher tab in the Control Center and is useful for trophy hunters as it reduces trips to the full trophy menu.

Increased Remote Play and PS App Functionality

The PS Remote Play app now lets you stream games from your PS5 to your phone while using mobile data. It's nice that you don't need Wi-Fi, but be mindful of your data share as streaming games requires a lot of data.