5 hidden PS4 features only expert users know about


Now you might be one of those gamers who have spent so much time with their console that their fingers occasionally have to be cut free from the controller due to it starting to become a part of your own body. You could also not be this type of gamer, and just someone who enjoys playing their console in-between bouts of adventuring out into what the previous type of players refer to as “The Great Outdoors”.

Regardless of which category you fall into however, there’s still a high chance there are some features of your PlayStation 4 on this list that you’ve been unaware of. Read on to find out just what secrets your console has been hiding from you in plain sight.

You Can Turn On Your PS4 And TV At The Same Time

Source: pcmag.com
Source: pcmag.com

By simply going to the Settings menu on your PS4, clicking System and ticking the box for “Enable HDMI Device Link”, you can turn on your TV at the same time as your PS4.

This trick doesn’t work on all TV’s  (the more modern the better), but be sure to give yours a try to see it does.

Change The Brightness On The PlayStation 4 Controller

Source: stuff.tv
Source: stuff.tv

If you hold on the “Home” button on your controller, and then proceed to select “Adjust Sound And Devices”, you then access a menu where you can change the brightness of the light on the PS4 controller.

This is actually a pretty handy trick, as the brightness on the controller significantly affects the battery life. If you set the light to the lowest setting, you’ll be sure to add hours more to your controller’s battery life between charges.

Use The Built-In Controller Accelerometer To Type Instead

Source: Youtuber ZRZ
Source: Youtuber ZRZ

If you can’t be bothered faffing about with the typical keyboard set-up for the PS4 then be mildly displeased no longer! When on the keyboard screen, by holding in the R3 button, you can then proceed to type on the keyboard by gently orienting the controller in the direction you want to go.

The video here shows how this method can even be faster the normal mode.

Use Your Phone As A Keyboard

Source: Youtuber mihirnp
Source: Youtuber mihirnp

If the previous tip still didn’t quite satisfy you, then surely this one will. Download the official Playstation Store app on to your phone. Once you’ve done this, make sure both your phone and your PS4 are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.

After you’ve done this, go to the Settings menu on the PS4, click on “Playstation App Connection Settings” and then add your device as a phone. Now all the hard works done, just open up the app on your phone and connect to your PS4 with your phone using the code that pops up on the screen and hey presto, your phone is now your keyboard!

Play Your PS4 Remotely With Your PC Or Mac

Source: wired.co.uk
Source: wired.co.uk

 In the traditional fashion, the best tip has been saved for last. If you decide you’d rather play your PS4 via your PC or Mac, simply download this remote play file (located here) and install it on computer. Then, go to the Settings menu on your PS4, click on “Remote Play Connection Settings” and then click on “Enable Remote Play”.

Now is the good bit. Connect your PS4 controller to your computer using a USB cable (such as the charging cable you use for the controller) and fire up the remote play file you installed earlier. Congratulations! You are now the proud owner of a device that can streams all of their precious console games.

Hopefully this list has now provided you with a deeper understanding of your PlayStation 4 console, and caused you to develop a greater appreciation for all the sweet-ass features it has available to it.