Did you score a PS4 Pro or Slim for Christmas? Welcome to the tribe! Or maybe you’re sprucing up your PlayStation knowledge for 2018. No matter why you’re here, we’ve got eight practical tips and hidden features to try on your PlayStation.
1. Type Faster with Motion Control (or Your Phone)
Trying to type out emails and passwords on a PS4 is brutal, but there are a couple ways to ease your frustration. When the PS4 keyboard comes onscreen, press down on the right control stick to turn on motion control. This will let you type with motion controls, using your PS4 DualShock 4 like a Wii Remote.
You can also use the PlayStation app. Download it for iPhone[1] or Android[2], log in to your PlayStation account, then go to Settings > PlayStation App Connection Settings on your PS4. Follow the prompts and turn on the second screen in the app to type on the console, and control other things.
2. Stream PS4 Games to Your Mac or PC
If you live with a TV hog, don’t worry about negotiating play time. You can stream games directly from your PS4 to any Mac or Windows PC. No big whoop! Just install Sony’s Remote Play software[3], and connect your DualShock 4 to your computer with a USB charging cable or this fancy Sony wireless dongle[4]. Make sure your computer and PS4 are on the same Wi-Fi network, then stream away. It’s a lot easier and simpler than you think it will be.
3. Manage Your Friends
If you have a regular gang of gamers you chat and play with, simplify the process of making a chat party...