Sony PlayStation 5 Firmware 21.02-04.00.00

Main features in this system software update:

- You can now insert an M.2 SSD to your PS5 console's expansion slot and use M.2 SSD storage. Just like your PS5's console storage, you can install PS5 and PS4 games in M.2 SSD storage and play them directly from there.
- You can use PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSDs with a capacity of 250 GB minimum and 4 TB maximum.
- To safely insert or remove your M.2 SSD, make sure your PS5 is turned off, and that the AC power cord is unplugged.
- To use M.2 SSD storage, insert your M.2 SSD in your PS5's expansion slot while your PS5 is turned off. When you turn on your PS5, you'll format your M.2 SSD so that it's ready to use.
- To move a PS5 or PS4 game that's installed in console storage or USB extended storage to M.2 SSD storage, go to your game library, press the options button, and then select [Move Games and Apps]. Then, select the game you want to move, and then select [Move].
- To install games to M.2 SSD storage by default, go to [Settings] > [Storage] > [Installation Location], select [PS5 Games and Apps] or [PS4 Games and Apps], and then select [M.2 SSD Storage] as the installation location.

You can now enjoy 3D audio through your TV speakers:

- To enable 3D audio for your TV speakers, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output], and then turn on [Enable 3D Audio for TV Speakers].
- You can also measure the acoustics of your room using the microphone on your DualSense wireless controller to apply the 3D audio setting that's optimized for your room.

In your games home screen, we've updated the following:

- If you have different platform versions of the same game installed, they'll now appear separately on your home screen.
- Different versions of a game are now easier to spot. Icons are displayed to indicate the specific platform, such as PS5 or PS4.

In (Game Library), we've updated the following:

- The [Installed] tab is now the first tab you'll see, making it easier to find games that aren't on your home screen, as well as offering quicker access to your media gallery.
- Under the [Installed] tab, each game's tile now clearly indicates its platform (such as PS5 or PS4). Also, just as in your games home screen, different platform versions of a game will now appear separately.
- Under the [Your Collection] tab, you'll now see that game tiles display the number of versions available to you when you're entitled to multiple versions of a game.
- You can now hide games much more quickly.

From the Game Base control menu, you can now do the following:

- You can now access party text chats and send messages from the Game Base control menu in the control center.
- If you're the owner of a party, you can now delete it. From the GameBase control menu, select the party you want to delete, and then select [Delete Party] from the ... (more) menu. If you delete a party, it will be deleted for all members.
- You can now see how many of your friends are online, busy, or offline under the [Friends] tab.
- You can now accept, decline, or cancel multiple friend requests at the same time. To do so, under the [Friend Requests] tab, select [Received Requests] or [Sent Requests] from the (Select Multiple) menu.

In (Trophies), we've updated the following:

- You can now track up to five trophies per game in the control center using the trophy tracker.
- To start tracking a trophy, select a trophy, and then select [Start Tracking].
- When you're playing a game, you can easily access information about the trophies you've added to your trophy tracker.
- You can also view your trophy tracker in pin-to-side mode to see information about the trophies during gameplay.
- When viewing the trophy lists of games, the trophies will now be displayed vertically instead of horizontally. You'll now be able to see more information for each trophy without selecting it.

In the control center, we've updated the following:

- You can now customize your control center more freely. All the controls at the bottom of the screen can be rearranged.
- The first time you open the control center, you'll see a quick introduction to some of its key features.

When you enable the screen reader, you can now use the following features:

- You can now pause the screen reader by pressing the PS button and triangle button at the same time. To resume, press the PS button and triangle button again.
- You can now make the screen reader repeat anything it reads. To do so, press the PS button and the R1 button at the same time.

Other updated features:

- On an Android or iOS/iPadOS device, you can now use the PS Remote Play app to access your PS5 via mobile data.
- There's a new accolade type: Leader. This is for a player who crafts the plan, strategizes, and inspires others. In PS5 games, you can give accolades like "Leader" to players after online matches, when you want to encourage positive behavior. All of a player's accolades, including this new type, appear on their profile.
- When you're competing in challenges for a better time or a higher score and you set a new personal best, we'll automatically take a video clip of the action for you. You can share the video clip directly from the challenge card in the control center, or you can share it later from your media gallery. To adjust this setting, go to [Settings] > [Captures and Broadcasts] >[Auto-Captures] > [Challenges].
- In Media Gallery, we've added new fonts for the text you can add to your screenshots.
- You can now select whether you'd like to receive notifications on your PS5 or through email about new products and special offers. To do so, go to [Settings] > [Users and Accounts] > [Account] > [Communication Preferences].
- When you log in to the PS5, and an accessory with a microphone is connected, the mute status of the microphone is now displayed. We've simplified the process of connecting, disconnecting, and setting up your internet connection, making these tasks easier.
- When adjusting your 3D audio profile for headphones, you can now move the sample sound to your left or right, allowing you to select a more optimized 3D audio profile. Go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output], and then select [Adjust 3D Audio Profile].
- We've improved the game audio quality of some games when 3D audio for headphones is enabled.
- If you have a PULSE 3D wireless headset, you can now access an audio EQ feature in (Sound) in the control center, with different presets to choose from.
- Now when you block someone, you can choose to also leave the party that only you and they're in at the same time. You won't leave parties that include other players.
- You now have two separate controls for including your mic's audio and party audio in your broadcasts. There are two more controls for doing the same with video clips.
- We've updated the DualSense wireless controller device software to improve stability.
- You can now update your DualSense wireless controller device software from settings. To check if an update is available, go to [Settings] > [Accessories] > [Controllers], and then select [Wireless Controller Device Software].

In PlayStation Now, we've updated the following:

- The streaming connection test lets you identify and fix problems with your connection.
- You can now choose your maximum streaming resolution to optimize your game performance.
- Now you'll see directly in the game hub if and when a PlayStation Now game is scheduled to be removed, so you can be sure to try new games or play your favorites while they're still available.

You see suggestions in your control center when a friend is playing a game you can join:

- Previously, it would take about 1 day before these suggestions would appear for a friend you just added. They can now appear much more quickly.
- Suggestions will also now appear even if your friend is playing a streamed PlayStation Now game.

We've made the following improvements to parental controls:

- Now when a child requests to play a game or use communication features in a specific game, their parent or guardian will receive a notification on the PS5 and PlayStation App.
- The child will also receive a notification when their parent or guardian accepts or denies a request, or stops allowing the child to play a game or use communication features.

For the features available from the Create menu, we've updated the following:

- When you're manually recording a video clip, the elapsed time counter will now automatically disappear after 3 seconds, and reappear when needed.
- We've added more video lengths for you to choose from when saving recent gameplay.
- You can now choose whether to display save confirmation notifications for screenshots. To adjust this setting, go to [Settings] > [Captures and Broadcasts] > [Shortcuts for Create Button], and then enable or disable [Display Save Confirmation for Screenshots].

In (Notifications), we've updated the following:

- When you receive pop-up notifications with videos in them, you can now start the videos directly from the pop-ups or from your notifications list.
- You can now turn off the sound your notifications make. Go to [Settings] > [Notifications], and then turn off [Play Sound].

Notices:

- Do not install system software soon before or soon after a power outage.
- Do not turn off your system during the installation. Interrupting the installation can cause your system to be damaged.
- You might not be able to use some applications or content without first updating the system software.

Update using a computer:

- Using a PC or Mac, create a folder named "PS5" on a USB drive formatted as FAT32. Inside that folder, create another folder named "UPDATE".
- Download the update file and save it in the "UPDATE" folder. Save the file as "PS5UPDATE.PUP".
- Plug the USB drive containing the file into your PS5 console.
- Start the PS5 console in Safe Mode: press and hold the power button, releasing after the second beep.
- Select Safe Mode option 3: Update System Software.
- Select Update from USB Storage Device > OK.
- If your PS5 console does not recognize the update file, check that the folder names and file name are correct. Enter the folder names and file name using uppercase letters.

Perform a New Installation of the System Software:

- Using a PC or Mac, create a folder named "PS5" on a USB drive formatted as FAT32. Inside that folder, create another folder named "UPDATE".
- Download the installation file and save it in the "UPDATE" folder. Save the file as "PS5UPDATE.PUP".
- Plug the USB drive containing the file into the PS5 system.
- Start the PS5 console in Safe Mode: press and hold the power button, releasing after the second beep.
- Select Safe Mode option 7: Reinstall System Software.
- Select Update from USB Storage Device > OK.
- If your PS5 console does not recognize the update file, check that the folder names and file name are correct. Enter the folder names and file name using uppercase letters.

PlayStation system software update failed:

- If your console does not recognize the update file, check that the USB is in FAT32 format and that the folder and file names are correct. Enter the folder and file names in single-byte characters using uppercase letters.
- If this process fails, you may need to reinstall the system software. This process is the same as a 'factory reset' and will return the console to its original state — if possible, back up your system dat 

About Gaming Console Firmware:

Upgrading the firmware version on your gaming console might enhance the unit's overall performance and stability, include workarounds for various issues, and improve different features (or add support for new ones).

In addition to that, if you have updated the firmware and it either faulty or has caused a drop in the overall performance of the device, applying a previous version is handy as regards recovering the console's functionality. On the downside, downgrading the firmware isn't always possible.

When it comes to applying a certain firmware, as this process is not without risks most of the times, it is recommended that this task be initiated by a power user in a steady power environment, such as the one provided by a UPS unit. However, the installation can also be performed by a regular user at their own risk.

As for the installation method, given the large variety of gaming consoles and the various ways for applying a firmware, before even considering an upgrade or a downgrade, it's best that you carefully read and understand the installation steps, and initiate the process only once you have familiarized yourself with the update method.

That being said, if you have duly considered all these aspects, either click on the download button to get the present release, or check with our website as often as possible to find out first when the firmware that you desire is available.

  It is highly recommended to always use the most recent driver version available.

Try to set a system restore point before installing a device driver. This will help if you installed an incorrect or mismatched driver. Problems can arise when your hardware device is too old or not supported any longer.