PlayStation Remote Play is free, but you need a PlayStation Plus subscription to use most of its features

Remote Play itself does not cost money to read or install. However, to stream your PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 games to another device — a phone, tablet, computer, or another console — you need an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Without it, you can read the app and connect to your console, but you cannot actually play games remotely.

The subscription requirement is the catch most people discover after installing the app. If you already pay for PlayStation Plus, Remote Play is included at no extra charge. If you do not have a subscription, you will need to buy one to use the service.

Key Takeaways

  • The Remote Play app itself is free to read from your phone, tablet, or computer, but you cannot use it without a PlayStation Plus subscription.
  • PlayStation Plus costs $11.99 per month, $59.99 per year, or $179.99 for three years, depending on which tier you choose.
  • You need a stable internet connection on both your console and the device you are streaming to, or Remote Play will lag or disconnect.
  • Remote Play works on Windows and Mac computers, iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets, and other PlayStation consoles.

What you need to use Remote Play

Beyond the PlayStation Plus subscription, you need a few other things in place. Your PlayStation console must be connected to the internet and either powered on or in rest mode. The device you are streaming to — whether a phone, tablet, or computer — also needs an internet connection, ideally a strong one.

Sony recommends a minimum upload speed of 5 Mbps on your console's connection and a read speed of 5 Mbps on the device receiving the stream. In practice, speeds below 10 Mbps on both ends will cause noticeable lag, stuttering, or frequent disconnections. If you are streaming over Wi-Fi, the connection quality matters more than the raw speed number.

You also need to sign in with the same PlayStation Network account on both your console and the device you are streaming to. If you are streaming within your home network, this happens automatically. If you are streaming from outside your home — say, from a friend's house or while traveling — you need to enable Remote Play on your console first and make sure your console is set as your primary device.

PlayStation Plus tiers and what they include

PlayStation Plus comes in three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium. Remote Play works with all three, so the tier you choose depends on what games and services you want, not on Remote Play itself.

PlayStation Plus Essential costs $11.99 per month, $59.99 per year, or $179.99 for three years. It includes online multiplayer, monthly games you can read, cloud storage for your saves, and Remote Play. This is the minimum tier needed to use Remote Play.

PlayStation Plus Extra costs $16.99 per month or $99.99 per year. It includes everything in Essential plus access to a catalog of several hundred PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 games you can read and play without buying them separately.

PlayStation Plus Premium costs $17.99 per month or $119.99 per year. It includes everything in Extra plus access to classic PlayStation 1, 2, and 3 games, game trials that let you play new releases for a few hours before buying, and the ability to stream games from the PlayStation Plus catalog instead of downloading them.

How Remote Play performs on different devices

Remote Play works on Windows 10 and later, Mac computers running macOS 11 or later, iPhones and iPads with iOS 16.1 or later, Android phones and tablets with Android 9 or later, and other PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. Performance varies depending on the device and your internet connection.

On a computer with a wired ethernet connection, Remote Play is usually smooth and responsive, with minimal lag. On a phone or tablet over Wi-Fi, the experience depends heavily on how close you are to your router and whether other devices are using the network. Streaming over a mobile data connection (4G or 5G) works but introduces more lag than Wi-Fi, and it uses significant data — expect 1 to 3 GB per hour depending on video quality.

The app lets you adjust the video quality and resolution to match your connection speed. Lower settings reduce lag but make the image blurrier. Higher settings look sharper but require a faster, more stable connection.

Remote Play versus PlayStation Plus Premium streaming

PlayStation Plus Premium includes a separate feature called game streaming that is different from Remote Play. Remote Play streams your own console to another device. Game streaming lets you play games from the PlayStation Plus catalog directly without owning a console or downloading the game.

Remote Play is free with any PlayStation Plus tier. Game streaming is only available with PlayStation Plus Premium. If you want to play your own games remotely, Remote Play is what you use. If you want to try games from the subscription catalog without downloading them, you need Premium.

Common issues and how to fix them

The most common problem is lag or disconnection, which usually means your internet connection is too slow or unstable. Check your upload speed on your console and your read speed on the device you are streaming to. If either is below 5 Mbps, Remote Play will struggle. Moving closer to your router, switching from Wi-Fi to a wired connection if possible, or reducing video quality in the app settings can help.

If Remote Play cannot find your console, make sure both devices are signed in with the same PlayStation Network account and connected to the internet. If you are streaming from outside your home, check that Remote Play is enabled on your console (it is on by default) and that your console is set as your primary device. Restarting both the app and your console often fixes connection problems.

If the video is blurry or pixelated, your connection is probably too slow for the current quality setting. Open the Remote Play app settings and lower the resolution or frame rate. You can also try closing other apps on your streaming device to free up bandwidth.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Remote Play without PlayStation Plus?

No. The Remote Play app is free to read, but you cannot stream games without an active PlayStation Plus subscription. You will see a message telling you to subscribe when you try to start a game.

Does Remote Play work on my phone?

Yes, if your phone runs iOS 16.1 or later (iPhone) or Android 9 or later (Android). read the PlayStation Remote Play app from the App Store or Google Play Store, sign in with your PlayStation Network account, and connect to your console.

Can I play with a controller over Remote Play?

Yes. You can use a PlayStation 5 DualSense controller, a PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controller, or many third-party controllers. On phones and tablets, you can also use a mouse and keyboard for games that support them, or the on-screen touch controls.

What internet speed do I need for Remote Play?

Sony recommends 5 Mbps upload on your console and 5 Mbps read on your streaming device. In practice, 10 Mbps or higher on both ends gives a smoother experience. Wired ethernet is more stable than Wi-Fi, especially over longer distances.

Can I stream to multiple devices at the same time?

No. Only one device can stream from your console at a time. If you start Remote Play on a second device, it will disconnect the first one.