Preview: How to control a PS5 console with your voice

Find out more about the Voice Command Preview (U.S. and U.K. limited release) for PlayStation®5 consoles. 

Voice Command (Preview) is available only for users with accounts for PlayStation that are registered in the United States and the United Kingdom. Voice Command (Preview) listens and responds only in English.

Important. We may modify this preview or end it any time; in addition, some features available during this preview may not make it into any final version or may see significant changes.

How to enable Voice Command (Preview) on PS5 consoles

You need to enable Voice Command (Preview) before you can use it for the first time.

  1. From the home screen, select Settings > Voice Command (Preview).
  2. Turn on Enable Voice Command.
    The setting to activate Voice Command with your voice, Listen for "Hey PlayStation!", is turned on automatically.

    You can activate Voice Command by selecting Voice in the control centre or by using the media remote (CFI-ZMR series, sold separately).
Media Remote guide
  1. From the home screen, select Settings > Voice Command (Preview).
  2. Turn off Enable Voice Command.
  • When using some devices that feature noise cancellation, it may be difficult for Voice Command to understand you. If you experience issues using Voice Command with your device, try using the mic on your wireless controller.

What is Voice Command (Preview) on PS5 consoles?

With Voice Command (Preview), you can use your voice to find or open games, apps and settings, capture gameplay or control media playback. Just speak into the mic on your controller or headset to give a command.

How to use Voice Command (Preview)

  1. With your PS5 console turned on and Voice Command enabled, say "Hey PlayStation!".
    Voice Command (Preview) listens for you to speak a command.
  2. Speak naturally. Try saying something like "Open Dreams" to play a game.
    Your words appear as text on the screen, followed by responses to your command.
    If Voice Command didn't understand what you said, you may be asked a follow-up question.
  3. Pick a number.
    Voice Command returns responses in an ordered list of four choices. Say "One", "Two", "Three", or "Four" to simplify your selection. To see a full list of results, you can say, "Show more".
  4. Follow the on-screen prompts until you find what you're looking for.
    You may be asked follow-up questions to narrow down a long list of responses.
    You can say "Cancel" to cut your dialogue short.

Here are some things you can do with Voice Command, and what to say to make them happen.

  • Open a game
    Say "Open (name of game)"
  • Control media
    Say things like "Pause", "Resume", or "Fast forward"
  • Search for YouTube content when you don't have the YouTube app open
    Say "Find (name of video)  on YouTube"
  • Search for YouTube content when you have the app open
    Say "Find (name of video)"
  • Record recent gameplay
    Say "Capture that". The duration of your saved video clip depends on your capture settings.
  • Record the last 5 minutes of your gameplay
    Say "Capture the last 5 minutes". You can also save a specific duration of your gameplay, from 15 seconds to 60 minutes.
  • Start recording gameplay/End the recording
    Say "Start recording"/Say "Stop recording"
  • See examples of voice commands
    Say "Help"
  • See helpful hints and the latest information on Voice Command and PlayStation Plus.
    Say "What's new"
  • You can also activate Voice Command (Preview) from the control centre when Listen for "Hey PlayStation!" isn’t enabled. Press the PS Button to open the control centre and select Voice Command. 
  • You can say "Hey PlayStation, Help" to see a list of Voice Command (Preview)'s capabilities.
  • Voice Command (Preview) is available only when your PS5 console is turned on and you're signed in to PlayStation.
  • By default, Voice Command (Preview) stops listening for your speech after four seconds of inactivity.

How to configure Voice Command (Preview) settings

To configure settings for Voice Command (Preview), go to the home screen and select Settings > Voice Command (Preview). You can adjust the following:

Turn on to use your voice to control your PS5 console.

Turn on to activate Voice Command by saying "Hey PlayStation!". 

Set the rate of speech for Voice Command.

Set the volume for Voice Command.

Set how long Voice Command waits for your response.

Turn on to be asked occasionally to share your experience with Voice Command.

How to adjust voice data collection permission

When you enable Voice Command (Preview), voice data and interactions will be collected and processed exclusively for operation, analysis, and improvement of the feature in accordance with our Privacy Policy. This may include review of written transcripts by human reviewers unless you select Don’t Allow from Settings > Users and Accounts > Privacy > Voice Data Collection.

Privacy Policy

Frequently asked questions

Does YouTube support voice command on PS5 consoles?
Yes. When voice command is enabled, you can use it to search YouTube when the app is open. You can also say “on YouTube” at the end of your command to open the YouTube app and search YouTube.

How is this different from the PS4™ console Voice Operation?
Voice Command (Preview) on PS5 consoles greatly improves and differs from Voice Operation on PlayStation®4 consoles. Instead of requiring the memorization of specific commands, Voice Command (Preview) lets you speak naturally to a PS5 console.

Which devices can detect my voice?
The following devices have been tested by SIE and confirmed to work with Voice Command (Preview).

  • DualSense wireless controller internal mic
  • DUALSHOCK®4 wireless controller with external mic connected
  • PULSE 3D wireless headset
  • PS5 media remote

Does Voice Command (Preview) record my voice? 
Your speech is recorded after you say "Hey PlayStation!", or if you turn on Voice Command (Preview) from the control center. Speech recording ends when you stop giving voice commands. By default, Voice Command (Preview) stops listening for your speech after 4 seconds of inactivity.

For child accounts, Voice Command (Preview) data collection can not be enabled and speech is never recorded.

Can child accounts use Voice Command (Preview)?
Child accounts can’t access the PS5 system software beta program or enable Voice Command (Preview).

Can Voice Command (Preview) be used to change parental controls?
Family managers or guardians can use Voice Command (Preview) to open child account settings, but changes to child account settings need to be completed using the controller.

Why does Voice Command (Preview) record my speech?
Because Voice Command (Preview) is a new feature, we need to evaluate a variety of speech patterns, accents, and dialects as we look for ways to refine and improve it. We’ve already done multiple large-scale internal tests, but our goal is to deliver the best experience possible for players. This preview gives us a chance to gather feedback and insights directly from our community.

Does this feature record my voice when I’m not using voice commands?
No. Voice Command (Preview) only records your speech when you activate it by saying, “Hey PlayStation!” or select the Voice Command icon in the control center.

Can we expect to see this feature in more languages and regions in the future?
We’re testing this feature publicly for the first time on a limited scale and will listen closely to user feedback as we refine and optimize it. Please stay tuned.

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

Contact PlayStation Support