As a PlayStation fan, I was excited to try out PS Remote Play, developed by PlayStation Mobile Inc. This app allows you to stream your PlayStation games to your smartphone or tablet, essentially letting you play your PS5 or PS4 games anywhere in your home (or beyond, depending on your internet connection). If you've ever wanted to continue a game session while sitting on the couch or even in bed, this app is exactly what you need. But, after spending a considerable amount of time with it, I have a lot to share about its pros, cons, and hidden features.

First, let me walk you through the basics. Setting up PS Remote Play was a breeze. You need to make sure your PlayStation console is turned on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your device. Once that's done, the app will recognize your console almost immediately. There's a step-by-step guide in the app itself, so even if you're a beginner, you won't struggle much. Once you're connected, you'll see your PS5 or PS4 screen mirrored onto your phone or tablet. This is where the magic happens – you can control your games using either on-screen controls or a paired DualShock or DualSense controller. For me, the controller option gave the best experience, as the on-screen controls sometimes felt too clunky for fast-paced games.

While the app is great for casual gaming, I noticed that the quality of streaming can vary a lot depending on your internet connection. When playing on my home Wi-Fi, the app performed pretty well. There was a slight lag here and there, but it wasn't game-breaking. However, when I tried playing on mobile data, the lag was significantly worse, and sometimes the screen would freeze or stutter. I've read similar feedback in reviews, with many users mentioning the connection issues they face while trying to stream games away from home. One reviewer on Google Play mentioned, “I love the concept, but the lag is unbearable when I'm on a different network. It's fine at home, though.” So, if you plan to play on the go, make sure your network is strong.

One feature that I absolutely loved is the ability to customize controls. In the app settings, you can remap the on-screen buttons to fit your preferences, which makes a huge difference, especially for games with complicated control schemes. I used this feature to set up my layout for RPGs and action-adventure games, and it felt a lot more natural. Another hidden gem is the ability to adjust the video quality – you can choose between standard or high-quality streaming. If you're worried about data usage or lag, the lower quality setting helps keep things running smoothly. There's also an option to enable or disable the touchpad functionality, which can be super useful if you're trying to avoid accidental presses.

Despite these helpful features, the app isn't without its frustrations. One major downside I found is that PS Remote Play doesn't support every game perfectly. Some games, particularly those that require fast, precise movements, can feel sluggish or hard to control via touch, even with a connected controller. For example, playing fighting games like Street Fighter V or even action-heavy titles like Spider-Man, there was an occasional feeling of disconnect, almost like the game was out of sync with my inputs. Another issue I've seen mentioned in Google Play reviews is the limited compatibility with certain Android versions. Some users with older Android devices reported crashes or unresponsive controls. One user said, “It works well on my Pixel, but my old Samsung just can't handle it. Keeps crashing mid-game.” So, if you're on an older device, it might be worth checking if it's compatible before committing to the app.

Another important thing to note is that PS Remote Play works best when paired with a controller. While you can technically play with on-screen controls, I can't recommend it for serious gaming. The touchscreen controls just aren't responsive enough for the kind of fast action that some PlayStation games require. Thankfully, setting up a PS4 or PS5 controller via Bluetooth is very simple. If you're a mobile gamer who's used to playing with touch controls, you might find the switch to a physical controller to be a game-changer. The responsiveness and comfort level are so much better, and you'll likely feel more immersed in your game.

Despite a few technical hiccups, PS Remote Play is a solid app for PlayStation owners who want to play their console games away from the TV. The ability to continue your gaming sessions seamlessly is a feature that I absolutely love, especially when I'm on the move or just too comfortable to sit in front of the TV. It's not perfect by any means, but the app does its job well enough for casual gamers like me. With continuous updates, I'm hoping PlayStation will improve its performance and connection stability, especially for those using mobile data or weaker Wi-Fi networks. In the end, if you own a PlayStation console and want to game on the go, PS Remote Play is definitely worth a shot.