The PS5 has a built-in web browser you can open from the home screen

Your PS5 comes with a web browser already installed. You do not need to read anything or pay extra. Open it by pressing the PS button on your controller to bring up the control center, then scroll left to find the browser icon — it looks like a globe. Select it and you are in the browser.

The browser works like any other: you can type web addresses into the address bar, search Google, click links, and scroll through pages. It is not as fast as a browser on a computer or phone, but it works well enough for checking email, reading articles, watching video sites, or looking up information while you play.

The main limitation is that the PS5 browser does not support all the features that newer browsers do. Some websites may not display correctly, video players might not work, or interactive features could be missing. If a site does not work, try it on your phone or computer instead.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the PS5 browser by pressing the PS button, scrolling left to the browser icon, and selecting it.
  • You can type web addresses, search, and click links just like on any other browser, using your controller to navigate.
  • Some websites may not work correctly because the PS5 browser does not support all modern web features.
  • The browser is useful for quick lookups and reading, but a phone or computer will work better for complex websites or video streaming.
  • Your internet connection speed affects how fast pages load, just as it does on any other device.

How to navigate with your controller

The PS5 controller works as a pointer in the browser. Move the right stick to move a cursor around the screen, then press X to click on links and buttons. The left stick scrolls up and down through a page. Press the triangle button to open your browser history, and press the circle button to go back to the previous page.

Typing is slower than on a phone or computer because you use the on-screen keyboard. Move the cursor to each letter with the stick and press X to select it. If you have a USB keyboard plugged into your PS5, you can use that instead — it is much faster for entering long web addresses or filling out forms.

The touchpad on your controller also works in the browser. You can swipe it to scroll pages or tap it to click, which some people find easier than using the sticks. Try both methods and use whichever feels more natural to you.

Typing web addresses and searching

When you first open the browser, you see a search bar at the top. Press X on it to open the on-screen keyboard. Type the web address you want to visit — for example, google.com or bbc.com — then press X on the search button. The page will load in a few seconds.

If you want to search for something instead of typing a full address, type your search words into the same bar. The browser will search Google and show you results. Click on any result to open that page.

The browser remembers addresses you have visited before. If you start typing an address you have been to, suggestions will appear below the search bar. You can click on a suggestion to go there faster than typing the whole thing.

Bookmarks and browser history

You can save websites you visit often so you do not have to type the address every time. While you are on a page you like, press the options button (the three horizontal lines on your controller). Select "Add to bookmarks" and the page is saved. The next time you open the browser, you can find it in your bookmarks list without typing anything.

Your browser history shows every page you have visited. Press the triangle button to open it. You can click on any page in the list to go back to it. History is useful if you remember you saw something but forgot the address.

If you want to clear your history so other people using your PS5 cannot see where you have been, press the options button and look for privacy or history settings. You can delete all history at once or just clear it when you close the browser.

Why some websites do not work correctly

The PS5 browser is based on older technology and does not support all the features that modern websites use. Some sites rely on features the PS5 browser cannot handle, so they may look broken, load slowly, or not work at all. Video players sometimes do not work, forms might not submit, or interactive features could be missing.

This is not a problem with your internet connection — it is a limitation of the browser itself. If a website does not work on your PS5, it will work fine on a phone, tablet, or computer. You can also try a different website that does the same thing. For example, if one news site does not display correctly, another probably will.

Some websites detect that you are using a PS5 and show you a simplified version designed to work on game consoles. This version may have fewer features but will load faster and work more reliably. The browser will usually switch to this version automatically.

Connection speed and how it affects browsing

How fast pages load depends on your internet connection speed, just like on any other device. If your PS5 is connected by WiFi and you are far from your router, pages will load slowly. If you have a slow internet plan, everything will take longer. Moving your PS5 closer to your router or using a wired ethernet connection will make browsing faster.

You can check your connection speed in the PS5 settings. Go to Settings, then Network, then Connection Status. It will show your read speed in Mbps. Speeds above 50 Mbps are good for browsing and streaming. Below 10 Mbps, pages will load noticeably slowly.

If pages are loading very slowly, restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. This often fixes temporary connection problems. If it is still slow, try closing the browser and opening it again.

Using the browser while playing games

You can open the browser while a game is running in the background. Press the PS button to bring up the control center, then open the browser. Your game will pause or keep running depending on the game. When you are done browsing, press the PS button again and select your game to go back to it.

This is useful for looking up game guides, checking a walkthrough, or reading a message while you play. However, switching between the browser and a game uses more memory and can slow things down. If your PS5 feels sluggish, close the browser and focus on the game.

Some games do not allow the browser to open while they are running. If you try to open it and nothing happens, you will need to close the game first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I read files using the PS5 browser?

The PS5 browser can read some files, but it is not designed for it. Downloaded files go to a folder on your PS5, but you cannot easily access them like you can on a computer. For downloading documents, images, or other files, use a phone or computer instead.

Is the PS5 browser safe for online shopping or banking?

The PS5 browser uses the same security as other browsers, so it is safe for shopping and banking if the website is legitimate. However, typing passwords and credit card numbers on the on-screen keyboard is slow and inconvenient. Use a phone or computer for sensitive transactions whenever possible.

Why does the browser keep crashing or freezing?

If the browser crashes often, try clearing your history and cache. Go to Settings in the browser menu and look for privacy options. You can also try restarting your PS5 completely by holding the power button for 10 seconds. If it keeps crashing, the website itself may not work well on PS5 — try a different site.

Can I watch Netflix or YouTube on the PS5 browser?

Netflix and YouTube have dedicated apps for PS5, which work better than using the browser. read the apps from the PlayStation Store instead. If you want to use the browser anyway, it will work but may be slower and have fewer features than the app.

How do I make text bigger so it is easier to read?

Most websites let you zoom in using your controller. Press the options button while on a page and look for zoom or text size options. You can also try pressing L1 and R1 together to zoom in, though this does not work on all sites. If text is still too small, use a phone or computer with a larger screen.