Setting up
What’s in the box, how to set up your PS4 and getting connected online.
Unboxing your PS4
As well as your console and DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller, there are a few other bits that you’ll need to get started:
- HDMI cable: Connect from the PS4 HDMI port to your TV to get pictures and sound onto your screen in glorious high definition – or even more glorious 4K and HDR, if you have a fancy TV and a PS4 Pro.
- Power cable: No surprises here; your PS4 needs electricity, so you need a power cable.
- USB charging cable: As the name suggests, your DUALSHOCK 4 wireless controller works wirelessly – but this cable is your PS4 controller charger, for when the battery runs low
- PS4 earpiece & mic: Chatting with friends, discussing tactics for online gaming and listening to game audio is easy – the supplied PS4 headset can do all this and more.
Getting online
Your PS4 can connect to your home WiFi network, or – for a more stable connection and faster download speeds – via an Ethernet cable to your modem. It all happens via the Settings > Network menu on your PS4.
Once you’re connected, online gaming, video streaming, social networking and everything else is yours to explore.
Create your account
Set up a free PlayStation Network account for each user and they’ll have a unique online ID that connects them to the world of PlayStation.
Join PSN
An account for PlayStation Network is your invitation to our online world – create a unique user profile, download games and movies, and connect with friends.
Set up family accounts
Create accounts for each family member and have full control over what they can play, watch and do online.
Connect with friends
Once you’re set up you can add fellow PS4 friends to chat with, play alongside, and see what they’re up to via the What’s New feed.
Ready to play
Now you’re all set up, it’s time to play some games…
Blu-ray discs
Build up a collection of physical games on PS4 Blu-ray Disc from high street shops and online retailers – that’s what the disc slot on the front of your PS4 is for, after all.
Digital downloads
The latest PS4 games are available to download from PlayStation Store as soon as they’re released – as well as free-to-play games and demos that won’t cost a thing.
PlayStation Store
PlayStation Store is our online shop, where you’ll find every PS4 game as soon as they’re released, plus game demos, add-ons, pre-orders and more. And with regular sales and promotions on digital games, building up your game library won’t break the bank (or your PSN wallet).
PlayStation Store is available from your PS4 home screen, on PC and on your smartphone via the PlayStation App.
Play new games every month
That’s right – join PlayStation Plus and every month your game library grows by two PS4 titles, so as long as you remain a member, you’ll never run out of things to play.
Take your games online
A PS Plus membership is your invite to join a huge, vibrant community of gamers, and the only way to play online games with friends.
Make savings at PlayStation Store
As a member, you’ll get exclusive discounts on selected digital games – as well as extra savings piled on top of our regular promotions and sales.
Share your games with friends
With Share Play, any online friend can join your party and watch you play in real time, play the game themselves, or join you in a multiplayer match. They don’t even need to own the game themselves.
Store your saved games in the cloud
Every PlayStation Plus member gets 100GB of cloud storage for game saves and automatically back them up online – so you can continue your progress on another PS4.
Sharing with friends
Connect and share your gaming experiences to social media, with your PSN friends, or watch what the world is playing.
The SHARE button
Press SHARE on your controller and you can upload screenshots and video clips to Twitter or YouTube – or let a friend play your game via PS4 Share Play.
Live broadcasting
If you’re a wannabe YouTuber, have your own Twitch channel or just want to show off your skills, hit SHARE and start a live broadcast of your gameplay for anyone to watch.
Live from PlayStation
Prefer to watch other people play? The Live from PlayStation tab is where you’ll find gamers all over the world streaming their adventures.
Chat & messaging
There are loads of ways to chat to your friends on PS4 – either in a party, with text messaging, or via our dedicated app.
Start a party
The Party tab on your home screen is the place to bring friends together; up to eight players can chat together to arrange gaming sessions, discuss tactics or just shoot the breeze.
Send a message
You can send text messages to any other PS4 player, attach screenshots from your games and include stickers, for them to receive instantly, or next time they sign in (you can even send and receive messages via PlayStation.com if you sign in here).
TV, movies & video
The TV & Video tab on your PS4 home screen is where you’ll find your favourite TV and movie streaming services, like Netflix or Amazon Prime video, as well as free services like YouTube.
Connect to Spotify
Install the Spotify app for PS4 and the world’s music is yours to enjoy directly from your console or as a soundtrack while you play. You’ll find the Spotify app on PlayStation Store, and can control your music by long-pressing the PS button on your controller.
PS4 Media Player
Want to watch your own video files, listen to your mp3 music collection or view your photo collection on your TV screen? Connect the USB storage device they’re saved on to your PS4, then load up the Media Player from your home screen. Easy!
Get help
Got a question you need an answer to, or having a problem with your PS4? We’ve got it covered…
Help & support hub
Our dedicated PS4 support hub has the answers to all sorts of questions you might have on PS4 and all things PlayStation – just select your product and type your question.
PlayStation Repairs
If you’re having issues with your PS4 hardware or accessories, or can't connect to PSN, and haven’t been able to find the answer from the support hub, don’t panic – get in touch with us via the hardware support page and we’ll do all we can to fix your PS4 or controller, or to get you back online.
Social media
Like or follow the official PlayStation Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels to see the latest game trailers and live updates, wherever we are.
