You Don’t Need a PS5 Anymore: Cloud Streaming Arrives on PlayStation Portal

Sony has rolled out a major update for its PlayStation Portal handheld, adding official support for cloud streaming of PS5 games for PlayStation Plus Premium members. The update, available starting November 5 at 6 p.m. PT, brings several new features and user interface changes.

The new feature lets Premium subscribers stream select PS5 games directly from the cloud — no console required. Thousands of titles are supported at launch, including Astro Bot, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, and Resident Evil 4. Games from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog, such as God of War Ragnarök, Cyberpunk 2077, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, can also be streamed.

The update introduces a redesigned home screen with three tabs: Remote Play, Cloud Streaming, and Search. Users can now stream compatible games instantly, search for titles that support cloud play, and use a new QR code system to buy or access games they don’t own.

Other additions include 3D audio support for compatible headsets, a new passcode lock option, and a network status screen to check connection quality during streaming. Cloud streaming now also supports in-game purchases and accessibility settings such as text size and screen reader options.
Takuro Fushimi, Senior Manager of Product Management at PlayStation, said the update “pushes the boundaries of how players experience games.”

The PlayStation Portal, first released in November 2023 (and priced at $269), now offers two ways to play remotely — via traditional Remote Play connected to a PS5, or through direct cloud streaming for PS5 titles from PlayStation’s servers.