PS5 and Xbox Remote Play on PC: Setup, Network and Latency
By IRONHIDE Software · Updated · 8 min read
PS Remote Play and Xbox remote play both stream your own console to a Windows PC and send controller input back. Sony's PS Remote Play app needs Windows 10 (64-bit) or 11 and at least 5 Mbps up and down (15 Mbps recommended); Microsoft's Xbox app needs Windows 10 or 11 version 22H2 or later and 7–10 Mbps, ideally on 5 GHz Wi-Fi. Enable Remote Play on the console, sign in with the same account on the PC, and use a wired connection for the steadiest stream.
What Remote Play is, and what it isn't
Remote Play streams the picture from your own console to another device and sends controller input back. The game still runs on the PS5 or Xbox; the PC decodes the video and forwards input. That is different from cloud gaming, such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, where the game runs on Microsoft's servers and your console isn't involved.
Sony's app is PS Remote Play and works with PS5 and PS4 consoles. Microsoft calls its feature remote play and offers it in the Xbox app for Windows and in a browser at xbox.com/remoteplay, for Xbox One and newer consoles. If you want to see where Remote Play sits next to capture cards and USB adapters, read how console video and input reach a PC.
Requirements side by side
| Requirement | PS Remote Play | Xbox remote play |
|---|---|---|
| Console | PS5 or PS4 on the latest system software | Xbox One or later, remote features on, connected to the Xbox network |
| Windows | Windows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11 | Windows 10/11 version 22H2 or later for the app; Windows 10 20H2 or later with Edge or Chrome 85+ in a browser |
| PC hardware | 7th-gen Intel Core or later, 2 GB RAM, 100 MB storage, 1024 × 768 display, sound card, USB port | No separate minimum listed; Bluetooth 4.0 or later for a wireless controller |
| Speed | At least 5 Mbps up and down; 15 Mbps recommended | 7–10 Mbps |
| Network | Wired recommended; 5 GHz Wi-Fi as the wireless option | 5 GHz Wi-Fi; 2.4 GHz works but isn't optimized or recommended |
| Controller | DualSense, DualSense Edge or DualShock 4 over USB | Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth or USB; no mouse and keyboard |
| HDR | Yes, with HDR displays and Microsoft's HEVC Video Extension | Not supported |
| Account | Same PlayStation account as the console | Same Microsoft account as the console |
Set up PS Remote Play on Windows
On the PS5 (once)
- Update the console to the latest system software.
- Go to Settings > System > Remote Play and turn on Enable Remote Play. The setting is per user.
- To connect while the console is in rest mode, go to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning On PS5 from Network.
On the PC
- Download PS Remote Play from Sony's Remote Play page for Windows, run the installer and accept any additional software it asks for.
- Turn on the PS5 or put it in rest mode, then connect your controller to the PC with a USB cable.
- Launch the app, select Sign In, and use the same account as on the PS5.
- Optional: open Settings to set video quality, such as resolution and frame rate, before you connect.
- Select PS5. The app searches for the console signed in to your account and connects; if it finds several, pick one.
If the app can't find the console, pair it by hand: on the PS5 open Settings > System > Remote Play > Pair Device and type the number it shows into the app. Sony also recommends testing near the console before you connect from outside your home.
Set up Xbox remote play on Windows
On the Xbox (once)
- Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
- Go to Profile & system > Settings > Devices & connections > Remote features and select Enable remote features.
- Under Power options, select Sleep. Microsoft notes that remote play won't work in any other power mode.
On the PC
- Install the free Xbox app for Windows from the Microsoft Store and sign in with the account you use on the console.
- Click your profile picture and select View profile.
- Under Where I play, select Add a console and follow the steps shown.
- Or open xbox.com/remoteplay in Edge or Chrome and follow the steps there.
Only one person can play remotely at a time. During a session Microsoft blocks external apps on the console, such as Edge and media apps, and recording clips isn't supported. Save often: if the stream drops and you can't reconnect before the console sleeps, unsaved progress can be lost.
Network recommendations
Remote Play depends on your network far more than on your PC. Sony's minimum is 5 Mbps upload and download, with 15 Mbps recommended; Microsoft asks for 7–10 Mbps. The console sends the stream and the PC receives it, so both ends need headroom, and a stable connection matters more than a high peak speed.
- Wire both ends if you can. Sony recommends a wired connection for the console and the PC, which removes most Wi-Fi interference.
- Use 5 GHz, not 2.4 GHz. Microsoft says 2.4 GHz works but isn't optimized; Sony lists 5 GHz Wi-Fi as a fix for unstable connections. On a dual-band router, make sure both devices sit on the same 5 GHz network.
- Skip extenders, VPNs and custom DNS. Microsoft notes that Wi-Fi extenders and VPNs can hurt latency and image quality, and that a custom DNS can route you to the wrong data center.
- Free up bandwidth. Pause downloads and video streams on other devices; Sony notes that other traffic can make the picture flicker.
- Check NAT and ports. Sony's app shows your NAT type under Settings > Information; with NAT Type 3, Remote Play may not connect. Sony uses UDP port 8572. Microsoft recommends an Open NAT on the console, and some Strict NAT connections need UDP port 9002 forwarded when UPnP isn't available.
Resolution, frame rate and latency
In Sony's Windows app you set resolution and frame rate under Settings > Video Quality for Remote Play. With a PS5, Sony says video quality is also adjusted automatically depending on your network. HDR works when both the PS5 and the PC use HDR displays, Microsoft's HEVC Video Extension is installed, Play HDR games and apps is on in Windows, and Enable HDR is checked in the app.
Microsoft doesn't publish a resolution or frame-rate figure for console remote play on its support pages, and HDR isn't supported. If the picture looks dim, the game is probably running in HDR: relaunch it from the stream or clear Allow HDR10 under Settings > General > TV & display options > Video modes.
Neither company publishes a latency figure. Every frame is encoded on the console, sent over the network, buffered and decoded on the PC, and input takes the network path back. On a good wired home network, expect a delay of a few frames on top of a cabled controller, and more over Wi-Fi or the internet. Treat that as an illustrative expectation, not a spec, and measure your own setup as described in our input latency guide.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| PS app can't find the PS5 | Different account, stale sign-in or blocked discovery | Sign in with the console's account, update app and console, pair manually with Pair Device |
| Sony error 0x81221101, 0x81221104, 0x81221105 or 0x81221106 | Connection too slow | Reach at least 5 Mbps up and down; switch to a wired connection |
| Sony error 0x81121102 | Unstable connection | Move closer to the router or wait and try again |
| Xbox "Can't connect to console" or "Stream Connection Lost" | Remote features off, console not in Sleep, pending update or wrong account | Recheck Remote features and Sleep, update and restart the console, restart the PC |
| Xbox error 0x87e10004 | Backward compatible game | Not available over remote play; play it on the console |
| Stutter, blocky image or lag | 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, extenders, VPN or other traffic | Wire both ends or use 5 GHz, pause downloads, turn off the VPN |
| Some PS5 content won't stream | Remote Play restrictions | Games needing PS VR, PS VR2 or PlayStation Camera, Share Play, PS Plus Premium streaming, discs, music and video apps don't work during Remote Play |
How IRONICS uses Remote Play
IRONICS, the Windows launcher from IRONHIDE Software, can use PS Remote Play or Xbox remote play as a no-adapter output route. Its built-in Virtual Titan, a software controller, acts as the controller for the Remote Play session, so input reaches the console without a Titan Two or any other adapter hardware. IRONICS also translates controller, keyboard and mouse input for the target platform.
For a comparison with the Makcu route, see using IRONICS without a Titan Two; the IRONICS overview lists what the launcher includes. To set it up, follow the setup guides on our Discord (discord.gg/ironaim).
Frequently asked questions
What internet speed do I need for PS Remote Play?
Sony asks for at least 5 Mbps upload and download and recommends 15 Mbps or more for best performance. It also recommends a wired connection for both the PS5 and the PC.
What do I need for Xbox remote play on PC?
An Xbox One or later with remote features enabled and the Sleep power mode, the Xbox app on Windows 10 or 11 version 22H2 or later (or Edge or Chrome at xbox.com/remoteplay), a 7–10 Mbps connection on 5 GHz Wi-Fi, and an Xbox Wireless Controller over Bluetooth or USB.
Can I use PS Remote Play when my PS5 is off?
Only from rest mode. Turn on Stay Connected to the Internet and Enable Turning On PS5 from Network under Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode, then put the PS5 in rest mode instead of switching it off.
Why can't I play Xbox 360 games with remote play?
Microsoft says backward compatible games currently aren't accessible via remote play. If you try, you may see error 0x87e10004.
Does Remote Play support HDR on PC?
PS Remote Play does, if both displays support HDR, HDR is on for the PS5 and in Windows, and Microsoft's HEVC Video Extension is installed. Xbox remote play doesn't support HDR at the moment.
Can I use mouse and keyboard with Xbox remote play?
Not directly. Microsoft says mouse and keyboard aren't currently supported for remote play gaming, so use an Xbox Wireless Controller or another compatible controller over Bluetooth or USB.
Sources
- PlayStation — Control your PS5 console from a Windows PC
- PlayStation — When Remote Play isn't available
- PlayStation — PS Remote Play (restrictions)
- PlayStation — How to use PlayStation Remote Play on PC and Mac
- PlayStation — How to troubleshoot Remote Play connection issues
- Xbox Support — How to set up remote play
- Xbox Support — Troubleshoot remote play gaming
- Xbox Support — Supported browsers for cloud gaming and remote play
- Xbox — Remote Play
Product names such as PlayStation, Xbox, Titan Two, XIM and Elgato are trademarks of their respective owners. IRONHIDE Software is not affiliated with or endorsed by them.