- Sony has released a new PlayStation App for mobile just ahead of the PS5 launch.
- The new versions offers voice chat, a native store and remote control over your PS5.
- It’s available now for Android and iOS.
The PlayStation 5 launch is right around the corner, and Sony wants to be sure your phone serves as a good companion to your new game console. It just released an overhauled PlayStation App for Android and iOS that’s not only optimized for the PS5, but provides some overdue features regardless of the system you own.
The revamped PlayStation App adds a flurry of PS5 features, including the options to remotely launch games, manage storage (helpful given the limited capacity), and sign into your system. You can buy and download games directly to your PS5, as you could with the PS4.
The biggest additions revolve around communications. You can create party groups and voice chat with 15 other people through your phone — you don’t have to wait until you’re at your TV to catch up with friends. PS Messages is built into the PlayStation App as well, so you don’t have to multitask just to keep up with a text conversation.
Related: Sony explains the PS5’s PlayStation Plus Collection
Sony has also integrated a truly native PlayStation Store instead of the old web view, so it should be much easier to shop for and remotely download apps to your PS5. A refreshed overall interface gives you quicker peek at what friends are playing as well as your own recently played games.
This isn’t as sophisticated in some respects as the Xbox app beta for Android, which includes game streaming (this needs a separate Remote Play app on PlayStation) in addition to some familiar features. Nonetheless, the PS5 debut marks a big step forward for the PlayStation App. It’s now a first-class citizen that handles many tasks outside of the games themselves.
