Did you just buy a PlayStation 5 or PS5 Pro or one for Christmas? Congratulations – Sony’s white monolith has dominated this generation of consoles thanks to technological improvements over the PS4 and a fantastic catalog of games.
Still, you may be wondering where to start once you take it out of the box. With five years of updates and a huge library to explore, we’ve put together this guide to help you transition from tuning in to playing free games via PlayStation Plus and much more.
Here are the first things you need to do with your PS5 once you unbox it.
Plug it in
It’s obvious, yes, but what may not be obvious is that the included HDMI 2.1 cable is recommended to unlock the full potential of your new PS5. With this in mind, we recommend that you completely replace the existing cable (if any) so that you get the best image quality from the system.
When connecting, make sure the top/front connectors are away from furniture so that the fans can continue to push air out freely. We also recommend hard-wiring your internet connection over Ethernet if possible.
This isn’t always possible, but it will give you a more stable connection and will usually improve the speed of downloads as well.
For comparison, my PS5 Pro is behind my TV with adequate ventilation and an Ethernet connection to a mesh network node. It won’t always be possible to achieve “ideal conditions”, but if you do your best at this early stage you will be on the right track.
Connect to the Internet and update the system software
Another thing that admittedly seems a bit obvious at first glance. Your PS5 has built-in Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity, but you’ll need to create a PlayStation Network account to access online features.
This doesn’t take too long, but on busy days, such as Christmas Day, server load can be a real problem. With that in mind, if you’re buying a PS5 for a loved one, you should think about opening it, downloading important updates, creating an account, and then locking it up.
This eliminates the digital queues of waiting for server updates and also gives you peace of mind that the recipient can start playing straight away.
Adjust your USB power settings
It’s not mandatory, but having your PS5 charge your DualSense controller while it’s not in use means less downtime or controller cables that can get stuck inconveniently.
In your PS5’s settings, go to “System,” “Power Saving,” and then “Features Available in Rest Mode.” You can set the “Power USB ports” setting to charge whatever is plugged in for three hours or always, although this uses more power.
Transfer your saved games from a PS4
If you have a PS4 with all of your saved games, you can transfer the data using a network transfer feature.
If the two consoles are connected to the same Wi-Fi network or via an Ethernet cable, you can select Settings, System, System Software, and then Data Transfer to start the process.
If you don’t have your PS4 handy, you can download your cloud saves using the PS5. Go to Settings, Saved Data and you can download data saved in the cloud.
Move your PS4 games via an external hard drive
The network transfer feature can also be used to move PS4 games to your PS5 to play on the new console. However, a quicker option (especially if you have an external hard drive) is to move your PS4 games to the drive.
This way you can connect it to your PS5 and find your games there. However, there are some caveats.
PS4 games can be played via internal or external storage. However, since the PS5’s SSD storage space is at a premium, you’ll likely move the games to the external drive if you’re happy with having the drive on the back of your console.
PS5 games must be played from the internal drive or an M.2 SSD as they require faster storage. Luckily, we have a list of great SSD drive options for you.
Adjust your 3D audio settings
A big part of the PS5’s original reveal was the new Tempest sound engine, and it’s still a great addition. Not only can it give you a competitive advantage by being able to hear an enemy’s footsteps, but the sound of raindrops in something like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows also feels even more immersive.
To set it up for compatible headsets and TV speakers, open Settings and go to Sound, then 3D Audio. The walkthrough will help you get started with the impressive technology and allow you to create a personalized 3D audio profile for the best experience.
Use the PlayStation app
Companion apps were pretty basic in the last generation of consoles, but the latest version of the PlayStation app for iOS and Android is great.
Not only can you use it to browse the store, reply to messages, and share your recordings, but it’s also handy for managing downloads and even remotely deleting your installed games.
Did you get a PlayStation gift card for Christmas? This is a much easier way to redeem it than using the on-screen keyboard.
Sign up for PlayStation Plus
Playing online on your PlayStation 5 requires PlayStation Plus and is available in three different tiers.
The cheapest is Essential, which gets you a few free games per month that, importantly, don’t leave your library when your subscription expires. You also get the cloud save feature and some extras for free games.
Next up is Extra, which gives you the same benefits but with the addition of the PlayStation Plus game catalog. Here you will find literally hundreds of games that you can play as long as you have a subscription.
Finally, Premium is the top tier and includes the option to stream games from the cloud (including many from the aforementioned catalog), playtests to try out a game before purchasing, and a Classics catalog that includes games from previous PlayStation generations.
You can change your plan at any time, but depending on your budget and needs, Essential, Extra or Premium may be right for you.
Sign up and claim your free gifts
Whether or not you were lucky enough to receive games bundled with your new console, signing up for PlayStation Plus Essential will give you access to this month’s games.
While the lineup normally consists of three games, Sony is giving away LEGO Horizon Adventures, The Outlast Trials, Synduality Echo of Ada, Neon White and Killing Floor 3 as a December treat.
There are also free-to-play titles such as Fortnite, Marvel Rivals, Destiny 2, Rocket League, Warframe, Overwatch 2, Genshin Impact, VALORANT and many, many more. This should keep you busy well into 2026!
