PS Remote Play on PS Vita and PS4 consoles

PS Remote Play on PS Vita and PS4 consoles

Learn how to connect your PlayStation®Vita to a PlayStation®4 console for PS Remote Play and Second Screen play.

What is PS Remote Play?

PS Remote Play lets you use your PlayStation Vita to access your PS4™ console using a wireless connection.

Most games for PlayStation 4 consoles support PS Remote Play; however, you should look for the "Remote Play" icon on the back of your game's package, or consult the game's instruction manual for confirmation. For digital downloads, you can check the item's description in the PlayStation™Store, before or after purchase.

What is Second Screen?

You can use the PlayStation Vita as a secondary screen to display unique content when playing games that support the Second Screen feature. 

Not all PlayStation 4 games support Second Screen, so you should look for the "Remote Play" icon on the back of your game's box or consult the game's instruction manual for confirmation. For digital downloads, you can check the item's description in PlayStation Store, before or after purchase.

PS Remote Play requirements and connection types

Required

  • PlayStation 4 console.
  • PlayStation Vita with system software version 3.00 or later.

Optional

  • PS Remote Play — or Second Screen — compatible game (games that require a camera or PS Move controllers are not compatible).
  • Wireless router (to connect via home Wi-Fi network).
  • Wireless broadband internet connection (to connect via internet. 3G, 4G, and LTE are not supported).

Recommended

  • Minimum upload/download connection speeds of 5 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up for PS Remote Play via the Internet.
  • Port forwarding of TCP port 9295, and UDP ports 9296 and 9297. If these ports are unavailable, it may be possible to use ports 9295 through 9304 for both TCP and UDP.

Your PlayStation 4 console can connect to the PlayStation Vita in three different ways. The PlayStation 4 Link app on the PlayStation Vita will choose the connection method best suited to your current situation.

  • PlayStation 4 console as a wireless access point
    This option lets your PlayStation Vita connect wirelessly directly to your PlayStation 4 console and provides the best PS Remote Play experience.
  • Home Wi-Fi network
    The PlayStation Vita connects wirelessly to a router, which in turn connects to the PlayStation 4 console. Use this option if your home router is closer than your PlayStation 4 console to where you'd like to use PS Remote Play.
  • Wireless internet connection
    With this method, the PlayStation Vita connects to the internet, then to an internet-connected PlayStation 4 console. Use this option if you're away from home and want to connect to your PlayStation 4 console.

How to start PS Remote Play on PS Vita

On your PlayStation 4 console
  1. Go to  Settings > Remote Play Connection Settings and make sure the checkbox for Enable Remote Play is selected.

  2. From the same menu, be sure the checkbox for Connect Directly to the PS Vita is selected. If you're experiencing issues, clear the checkbox to bypass the wireless access point option.

  3. From the function screen, go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4, and then select Activate. You can enable this setting on only one PS4 console for each account.

On your PlayStation Vita
  1. Tap PS4 Link > Start and choose the feature you'd like to use (Remote Play or Second Screen).

  2.  If this is the first time you've connected to your PlayStation 4 console, you'll need to enter the 8-digit number displayed on the PlayStation 4 console's screen, and then tap Register. You have 5 minutes to enter this code. If you are unable to do so, simply tap Back on the PlayStation Vita and you'll receive a new code.

  3. The PlayStation Vita will search for your PlayStation 4 console and connect via the best connection method. You’ll see a notification on your PlayStation 4 console stating that a user has connected via Remote Play.

To adjust the resolution on your PS Vita, select PS4 Link > Start > Options > Settings > Video Quality for Remote Play > Resolution. If video or audio skips during playback, try selecting Low (360p) to help improve the stability.

PS Vita Remote Play won't connect

If you’re unable to make a Remote Play connection, your firewall could be blocking the connection. You may need to open certain ports on your router in order to make a connection.  For help with this process, contact your router manufacturer.

  1. On the PlayStation 4 console’s function screen, select  Settings > Network > Test Internet Connection. Confirm that you are able to connect to both the internet and PSN.

  2. If your router supports UPnP, enable it on the router.

  3. If your router does not support UPnP, adjust the router's port forwarding setting to allow communication to your PlayStation 4 console from the Internet. The port numbers that are used by Remote Play are 9295 (for TCP), and 9296 and 9297 (for UDP). If these ports are unavailable, it might be possible to use ports 9295~9304 (for TCP and UDP). For information about these settings, refer to the instructions supplied with your router.

If your PlayStation 4 console is connected to the internet via two or more routers, communication may not work correctly.

PS Remote Play on a PS4 Pro console

You can’t remotely play games in 4K from your PS4™Pro console, but up to 1080p may be available depending on hardware and bandwidth limitations. This is limited to 720p on standard PS4 consoles.

If you’d like to use 1080p (30fps) for Remote Play, your broadband will need to be at least 15 Mbps, whether broadcasting or receiving. Your PS4 Pro console will adapt streaming quality to maximize gameplay stability.

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists