Thanks to a brand new update, PlayStation 4 owners can now stream their games through Remote Play on Android devices. So, how does it work, and what do you need to get started? Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about PS4 Remote Play on Android.
How does Remote Play work?
PS4 Remote Play on Android allows you to stream games directly from your PlayStation 4 console to compatible Android tablets and phones. With Remote Play, your games are still running on your home console, not your Android device. Instead, the picture and sound simply stream to your Android display over your home Wi-Fi network.
This means you can enjoy your PlayStation 4 library anywhere in the house (or within your Wi-Fi network range). It eliminates the need for a television, and can be a great option for homes with multiple occupants. Now you can play all your games without interruption while another family member uses the television for movies or TV programs!
Requirements for PS4 Remote Play on Android
In order to begin streaming the PlayStation 4 to your device through Remote Play, you’ll need an Android device that is running at least Android 5.0 or later. Furthermore, if you wish to play with a DualShock 4 controller via a Bluetooth connection, your device will have to support Android 10 or newer. Your PlayStation 4 console itself will also need to be running at least System Software 6.50 or later.
Finally, in order to stream efficiently with minimal connection issues, Sony recommends a broadband internet connection of 5 Mb/s at a minimum. However, for optimal results, they further suggest a slightly more robust connection of 12 Mb/s.
Setting up PS4 Remote Play on Android
In order to get rolling with Remote Play on Android, you’ll need to take a few preliminary steps. Firstly—if you haven’t already—you’ll need to enable Remote Play on your PlayStation 4 console. Do this by browsing to [Settings] > [Remote Play Connection Settings] and check the box next to “Enable Remote Play”.
You’ll also need to ensure that the console you wish to use is your “Primary” PlayStation 4. Finally, be sure to tweak [Settings] > [Power Save Settings] > [Set Features Available in Rest Mode]. Here you’ll want to enable [Stay Connected to the Internet] and [Enable Turning On PS4 from Network].
Next you’ll need to install the PS4 Remote Play application on your Android device. You can find it on the Google Play Store. Upon launching the app (if the above conditions are met on your console) Remote Play should connect automatically. Simply log in with your PSN credentials and you’re ready to play!
If the connection does not come automatically, you can also register manually through your console. Simply browse to [Settings] > [Remote Play Connection Settings] > [Add Device] on your PS4. This will generate a registration code to enter into the Remote Play app.
Touch screen controls
There are two primary ways to control your games with PS4 Remote Play on Android. The first is by using the touchscreen controller overlay. This is the default method of control, assuming that a DualShock 4 controller is not connected.
The touchscreen method works about as well as you may expect. It serves the purpose, but it is far more difficult to execute precise inputs than with a traditional controller. Younger generations with more experience utilizing mobile touch screen controls may feel a bit more comfortable. For myself however, this method just doesn’t cut it in comparison to a physical gamepad.
That said, it does suit some genres better than others. For turn-based RPG’s such as Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of an Elusive Age, touch screen actually works quite well. The slower pace of play means that quick and precise input combinations are less relevant.
For anything that requires speed and precision however, I definitely recommend a DualShock 4. Sports games, first-person shooters, and action titles are just a few of the types of games that are very difficult to appreciate with touch screen controls.
Using the DualShock 4 via Bluetooth
They best way to enjoy PS4 Remote Play on Android is by connection a DualShock 4 controller. As previously noted, you’ll need to have Android 10 or later installed in order to utilize Bluetooth.
To pair a DualShock 4 controller, simply put the controller in pairing mode by holding down the PS and Share buttons. The light bar will begin flashing when ready. Now it’s just a matter of opening the Bluetooth settings on your device and choosing the Dualshock 4 wireless controller to pair.
With a proper DualShock 4 controller in hand, there are no limits to the amazing games you can play. In testing Remote Play with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, I feel just as much like a powerful Jedi Master as I do when playing directly on my television. It makes being able to play anywhere in my home a huge bonus.
Speed and performance
Given that I have had issues with Remote Play in the past on my PlayStation Vita, I wasn’t initially overly-optimistic. My network connection averages a modest-to-great 50-100 Mb/s. Nevertheless my Wi-Fi never seems to hold a solid connection to the Vita console.
However, I am ultimately impressed by how well Remote Play works with Android. I am regularly able to achieve a strong connection and experience little or no stuttering or input lag across multiple games and genres. I even took the faster-paced third-person shooter Control for a test run and found the results to be suitable for enjoyment with little compromise.
PS4 Remote Play on Android is finally here
Overall I find Remote Play on Android to be very impressive. I haven’t experienced any of the lag or connection issues that I get in the same environment via the PlayStation Vita. This seems to imply that the technology is finally here to make enjoying your collection of PlayStation 4 games through Remote Play a viable option.
Being able to use the DualShock 4 as a controller just sweetens the deal even more. At this point Remote Play on Android is a perfect way to share your screens at home, and game in any room that has a solid Wi-Fi signal.
What is your experience with PS4 Remote Play? Let us know in the comments below.
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