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What to know

  • You can play PS4 games on a PC with Remote Play or PlayStation Plus Premium.
  • Using Remote Play App: On PS4 go to Settings > Connection Settings for Remote Play > Enable remote play.
  • PlayStation Plus App: Log in to a PSN account, connect a controller and select a game from the list.

Sony has ported many of its first-party PlayStation 4 games to PCS in recent years, but there are still many titles that haven’t made the leap. To access your entire PS4 game library on a PC, you can use the Remote Play feature to stream games from your PS4 to a PC. If you don’t have a PS4 or PS5, you can also use Sony’s PlayStation Plus Premium service to stream select titles on your PC.



Requirements for playing PlayStation 4 games on a Windows PC or Mac

If you already own a PS4 or PS5 console, the easiest way to play PS4 games on your PC is with Sony’s Remote Play app.


To use Remote Play on your computer, you need the following:


  • A PS4 console
  • Wireless controller (DualShock 4 recommended)
  • Wireless USB adapter or USB cable
  • High-speed internet connection with at least 15 megabits per second (Mbps) upload and download speed (recommended)


In addition, you must meet the following system requirements to use PS4 Remote Play:


Windows PC

  • Windows 10 or Windows 11
  • 7th Gen Intel Core processors or later
  • At least 100MB of available storage space
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • 1024 x 768 or higher screen resolution
  • sound card
  • USB port


mac

  • macOS High Sierra or later
  • At least 40 MB of available storage space
  • Minimum 2 GB RAM
  • USB port (optional)



Play PlayStation 4 games on a Windows PC or Mac

Once you meet the above criteria, follow these steps to install the PS4 Remote Play software on your PC:


  1. Go to the official PS Remote Play website and select Control your PS4 console from a Windows PC from the list of options.

    If you have a Mac or PS5 console, click the corresponding link in the list.

  2. Scroll down and click To download. Make sure you also agree to the license agreement and privacy policy by checking the box.


  3. Once the installation is complete, click Sign in to PSN and enter your login details.


At this point in the process, you’ll need to set up Remote Play on your PS4 before you can connect to the PC app.



How to Start PS4 Remote Play

After installing Remote Play on your Windows PC or Mac, the next step is to configure your PS4 console. You also need to set your console as your primary PS4 to use Remote Play outside of your home network.


  1. Turn on your PS4 console and open Settings > Connection Settings for Remote Play.


  2. To turn on Enable remote play.


  3. Return to Settings and select Account management.


  4. Select Activate as your primary PS4.

    You can only activate one primary PS4 per account.

  5. Select Activate.


  6. Return to Settings again and select Energy Saving Settings.


  7. Select Set functions available in rest mode.


  8. Check the boxes for Stay connected to the internet and Enable Enable PS4 via Network. This way you can start Remote Play while your PS4 is in rest mode.


Configure the PC Remote Play app

Once you’re done setting up your PS4, launch the PC Remote Play app on your PC and do the following:


  1. Log in to your PSN account and select PS4.


  2. The app will search for your PS4 and connect automatically. Once connected, you should see your PS4 console appear on your PC.

    If your PC is on the same network as your PS4, you can use Remote Play without having to activate your console as your primary PS4 by selecting Pairing manually in the Remote Play PC app.

  3. Connect your DualShock 4 controller to your PC with a USB cable. You can also use a DualShock 4 wireless USB adapter. You should now be able to play any PS4 game on your PC via Remote Play.


Play PlayStation Plus Premium games on a Windows PC

If you don’t have a PS4, you can stream hundreds of PS4, PS3 and other classic PlayStation games on a Windows PC using Sony’s PlayStation Plus service. This functionality used to be available through PlayStation Now cloud gaming, but this service rolled out to the PlayStation Plus Premium tier in June 2022.


You must be a PlayStation Plus Premium subscriber to play the service’s games on your Windows PC. While you can still download and use the PC app with an Essential or Extra membership, an active Premium membership is required to launch and play games.

Please note the following before downloading PlayStation Plus for PC:


  • You need an active PlayStation Plus Premium subscription.
  • The PlayStation Plus app is only available for a Windows PC. It does not support Mac, Linux, iOS or Android.
  • Gameplay is streaming only; you cannot download games.
  • PS5 titles are not available.
  • Only DualShock 3 and 4 controllers are supported.


Here’s how to access PlayStation Plus Premium on a Windows PC:


  1. Navigate to Playstations PS Plus PC site and click Download PlayStation Plus App.


  2. Follow the installation guide, launch the app and click Already have a Sony account? Sign up now.


  3. Connect a controller via USB, Bluetooth or wireless adapter.


  4. After logging in, select a game from the list.


  5. Click Get started under the game artwork.


FAQ

  • How do I play PS4 games on a PS5?

    Playing PS4 games on the PS5 is easy due to the backwards compatibility of the PS5. If you own the game digitally, please select it from the PlayStation 5 game hub. Otherwise, insert the PS4 game disc into the PS5 console and start playing.

  • What PS4 games can I play on a PS5?

    Sony says an overwhelming majority of the more than 4,000 PS4 games are playable on the PlayStation 5. All PS4 digital games you’ve purchased in the past are available in your games library through the PlayStation Store.

  • How do I play PS4 games on my phone?

    To play PS4 games remotely on an Android or iOS device, first enable Remote Play in your PS4 connection settings. Then download the PS4 Remote Play app from the Google Play Store or the App Store. Launch the app, tap Get startedand log in to your account.