Is There a PS5 Web Browser?

The Sony PlayStation 5 is an impressive piece of machinery, a powerful console—but did you realize there’s a hidden PS5 web browser? Like the Xbox Series X, you can browse web pages on any PlayStation 5 console—though to a limited extent. This tutorial will show you how to access the browser on PS5 consoles.

Does PS5 Have a Web Browser?

All PlayStation 5 models have a built-in web browser, but it’s hidden in the console’s system settings. So, you won’t find a dedicated browser in your PS5 app or games library. The hidden browser also has limited functionalities and features, unlike the PlayStation 4’s “Internet Browser” app.

Your PlayStation 5 opens the web browser when you attempt to link external services (like YouTube) to the console. When linking a YouTube account to your console, you can browse the internet through Google Search. This might seem complex, but it’s straightforward, and we’ll show you how to access the browser on your PS5.

How to Open Browser on PS5?

Launching the browser requires accessing the Google sign-in screen from your PS5’s “Linked Services” menu. The official web browser app on previous Sony hardware may someday return to the PlayStation 5. For now, the only way to access the PS5 web browser is through the workaround below.

1. Press the PlayStation button on your controller.
2. Select the Gear icon in the top-right corner of the home screen.

3. Next, choose Users and Accounts in the Settings menu.

4. Navigate to Linked Services (or Link with Other Services) on the sidebar, then choose YouTube on the list of applications.

5. Next, select the Link button on the “Link with YouTube” screen.

6. Select the Use Browser button on the next screen. That’ll launch your PS5’s internet browser.

7. Select Terms in the bottom corner of the Google sign-in page.

8. Scroll to the bottom of the “Google Terms of Service” page and select Google in the footer. That’ll open a basic version of the Google Search page.

9. In the search box, enter the name or URL of the website you want to visit and select the Search button.

10. Select the website you want to visit or browse from the result page.

Return to the Google Search page and search for websites you want to read. That’s how to browse the web using the PlayStation 5’s built-in web browser app.

The primary limitation of the PS5 web browser is that it doesn’t have an address bar where you can enter website URLs. The only way to visit websites on your PS5 is through Google Search. It’s a haphazard way to navigate the web, but it’s currently the most straightforward workaround.

Another limitation is that the PS5 web browser app can’t go into full-screen mode, However, you can use the R3 and L3 buttons on your DualSense controller to zoom in and out.

What Can You Do With The PS5 Hidden Web Browser?

The PlayStation 5 web browser is a cool secret feature, but it’s not practical for browsing the web. Its inability to type in URLs limits its capabilities from the outset, and it lacks much of the programming that makes traditional web browsers useful.

With that in mind, you can still do quite a bit—some of which might surprise you. According to tests, you can load some (but perhaps not all) Vimeo videos through the web player. Given Vimeo videos are uncommon in this current age of YouTube, this isn’t a handy feature. Users can also watch videos on streaming sites like YouTube and Twitch.

It’s better to stick with PlayStation 5-specific apps, though. There’s a built-in YouTube app and numerous streaming options that provide better streaming experiences than the built-in browser.

Additionally, the PS5 web browser isn’t considered a user-friendly browser. One (incredible) functionality is the ability to run emulators, but only JavaScript-based emulators. You can run these emulators through the web browser, which means you can play old Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES) games directly on your PlayStation 5. One thing to remember is that online browser games that require libraries like WebGL will not work through the PlayStation 5 web browser; if you want to play games like this, you’ll need to use a dedicated web browser.

The PS5 settings menu (Settings > System > Web Browser) has options to clear website data, delete browsing cookies, prevent cross-website tracking, and enable JavaScript. It seems odd that this menu exits if Sony doesn’t want users using the web browser.

Does PS5 Have a Fully Functional Web Browser?

The PlayStation 4 has a fully functional browser app accessible from the home screen, while the PS5 gets a watered-down browser accessible through the settings menu. It’s possible that the PS5 doesn’t have a browser app because Sony wants the console used strictly for gaming and streaming.

Using the DualSense controller to navigate web pages isn’t the easiest. Despite supporting a wide range of mice and keyboards, these accessories don’t work in the PS5 browser. The PlayStation 5 web browser doesn’t support a mouse and keyboard.

Is There a Future For PS5 Web Browsing?

Will there be a better web browser in the future? While current PS5 editions lack this feature, Sony might reintroduce a functional web browser in future PlayStation consoles. According to a translated interview with some Sony executives, the company doesn’t believe a web browser is a necessary addition to a gaming console and that it offers too many opportunities for hacking. For now, all users can do is hope—and there is a lot of that out there, as many people on Reddit have spoken about their desire for an improved on-console web browser.

Is the PS5 Web Browser Worth Using?

The PS5 web browser lacks the basic features of a standard web browser—an address bar, search bar, refresh option, tabs, etc. However, it’s still worth using, but only when you have no other option. Say you lose your phone or don’t have access to your computer, and your PS5 console is the only internet-enabled device in the room. Then, it’s worth using the console as a last resort to gain access to websites you need to visit.