The PlayStation 5 has been revolutionizing gaming since its launch, but most players are only scratching the surface of what this powerful console can do. Beyond the obvious gaming capabilities, the PS5 is packed with hidden features that can dramatically enhance your gaming experience.

Whether you're a casual gamer or a hardcore enthusiast, these ten hidden features will help you get the most out of your PlayStation 5. From productivity shortcuts to advanced customization options, prepare to unlock your console's full potential.

1 Picture-in-Picture Mode for Activities

Your PS5 can display game hints, guides, or even streaming content in a small overlay window while you play. This feature is perfect for following walkthroughs without leaving your game.

How to enable:
  1. Press the PS button while in a game
  2. Navigate to the Activities tab
  3. Select any activity with video content
  4. Choose "Show in Picture-in-Picture"

2 Custom Button Assignments

Remap any button on your DualSense controller to better suit your playstyle or accommodate accessibility needs. This works system-wide across all games and applications.

Setup process:
  1. Go to Settings > Accessibility
  2. Select "Controllers"
  3. Choose "Button Assignments"
  4. Customize buttons to your preference

3 Voice Command Quick Actions

Use your DualSense microphone to navigate the system, launch games, and control media playback without touching the controller. This feature supports multiple languages and learns your voice patterns.

Voice commands to try:
  1. "Hey PlayStation, start [game name]"
  2. "Take a screenshot"
  3. "Turn off console"
  4. "Open [app name]"

4 Advanced Screenshot Editor

The built-in screenshot editor offers more than basic cropping. You can add text, stickers, frames, and even adjust lighting and color balance before sharing your gaming moments.

Pro Tip: Hold the Share button for 1 second to instantly save a screenshot, or press it quickly to open the capture menu with more options.

5 Game Base Integration with Mobile

Your PS5 can seamlessly integrate with the PlayStation mobile app to continue conversations, manage your library, and even start downloads remotely. Set up cross-device notifications to never miss important messages.

Setup requirements:
  1. Download PlayStation App on your phone
  2. Enable "Connect to PS5" in console settings
  3. Pair devices using QR code
  4. Configure notification preferences

6 Adaptive Trigger Resistance Customization

Beyond what games automatically configure, you can manually adjust the adaptive trigger resistance for any game. This is particularly useful for racing games, shooters, and accessibility purposes.

Adjustment path:
  1. Settings > Accessories > Controllers
  2. Select "Trigger Effect Intensity"
  3. Choose between Off, Weak, Medium, or Strong
  4. Test in-game and adjust as needed

Performance and System Features

7 Game Presets for Different Scenarios

Create custom presets that automatically adjust display settings, audio output, and performance modes based on your gaming scenario - whether you're playing solo, streaming, or competing online.

Gaming Scenarios: Set up different profiles for single-player story games, competitive multiplayer, streaming to viewers, and late-night gaming with reduced audio.

8 Background Music from Spotify

Your PS5 can play Spotify music in the background while gaming, with automatic volume adjustment based on game audio cues. The system learns your preferences and suggests playlists for different games.

Setup process:
  1. Download Spotify app from PlayStation Store
  2. Link your Spotify account
  3. Enable "Gaming Mode" in Spotify settings
  4. Configure auto-ducking preferences

9 Advanced File Management

Organize your captures, save data, and downloads with custom folders, tags, and automated sorting rules. You can even set up automatic cloud backup for specific types of content.

Organization Tip: Create folders by game series, genre, or sharing purpose to quickly find content later. Use the built-in search function to find captures by date, game, or even image content.

10 Remote Play Quality Optimization

Fine-tune your Remote Play experience with advanced network settings, quality presets, and device-specific optimizations. The PS5 can automatically adjust streaming quality based on your network conditions.

Optimization steps:
  1. Settings > System > Remote Play
  2. Enable "High Quality" or "Custom" settings
  3. Adjust resolution and frame rate limits
  4. Configure network prioritization

Making the Most of These Features

The key to maximizing these hidden features is experimentation. Spend some time in the settings menus, try different combinations, and see what works best for your gaming style. Many of these features can be combined for even more powerful functionality.

For example, you might set up voice commands to quickly switch between game presets, or use the advanced screenshot editor to create consistent branding for your shared gaming content. The PS5's flexibility allows for highly personalized gaming experiences.

Performance Impact Considerations

While these features are designed to run efficiently, some may have minor impacts on system performance. Background music streaming and picture-in-picture modes use additional system resources. If you're experiencing any performance issues during intensive gaming sessions, try disabling some of these features temporarily.

The PS5's system monitor (accessible through Settings > System > Console Information) can help you track resource usage and identify if any features are impacting performance in your specific setup.

Future Updates and Features

Sony regularly updates the PS5 system software with new features and improvements to existing ones. Many of the features covered here have been enhanced since launch, and more hidden capabilities are likely to be added in future updates.

Keep your system updated and check the settings menus periodically - you might discover new hidden features that weren't there before. The PlayStation blog and community forums are also great resources for discovering newly added functionality.

By mastering these hidden features, you're not just using your PS5 more effectively - you're preparing yourself to take advantage of future enhancements and getting the absolute most value from your gaming investment.