Soon the PlayStation 5 will also be launched here in Germany. Sven Galitzki from MeinMMO already has a PS5 at home. It shows you some settings that everyone should at least know directly to the PS5 launch. In addition, there are some tips for the launch of the next gen.
When will the PS5 be released? In the U.S. and some other countries, the PlayStation 5 has already been available since 12. November available. And also with us it is soon finally so far. Because in Germany as well as other European countries the PS5 will be launched on the 19th of September. November.
This is what awaits you here in the article: MyMMO has already been provided with a PS5 by Sony in the run-up to the German launch. And I, Sven Galitzki, shooter expert at MeinMMO, could already test the new PlayStation – first of course with Destiny 2.
If you’re one of the lucky ones who also got or will get a PS5 at launch, here are a few tricks and tips that will hopefully make getting started on your PlayStation 5 a little easier. For setting up the PS5 is admittedly simple and intuitive for the most part. But some, quite important details are not always obvious right away.
The digital and disc version of the PlayStation 5.
You should definitely know these PS5 settings
I’ve been able to get to grips with the PlayStation 5 for a few days now and have basically gone through just about every setting option on Sony’s new console. I present you here the most important settings that every PS5 owner should already know right at the start of the next-gen.
Right away: Mute microphone
Even if you don’t connect a headset to the PS5 – the new console has a built-in mic. Not the console itself, but the new DualSense controller. But what not everyone knows is that the microphone delivers surprisingly good speech quality and is activated right from the factory – and that continuously, if you don’t mute it manually.
This can cause some unpleasant situations, if you accidentally and unintentionally reveal private information in the party or in an ingame voice chat. That’s why, in my eyes, the first thing you should do is disable the microphone.
This works in two ways:
- On the one hand via a button on the PS5 controller. This doesn’t light up when the mic is on and lights up permanently when the mic is muted. So you can turn it off with a button press directly on the DualSense.
- Secondly, you can mute the mic in the console settings and set that as the new default there as well. As soon as your PS5 starts up, the microphone is always off and the mute button is lit.
This is the mute button on the mic
If you want to change the default setting, you can do so under "Settings / Sound / Microphone / Microphone status when logged in". There you have to select "Mute".
By the way, if you connect a headset with integrated microphone via jack or wirelessly to the PS5, it will take over the control of the mute function (if available).
Performance mode or resolution mode?
PlayStation 5 lets you set numerous preferences for games. For example, which difficulty level you want to play by default or in which perspective, you should have the choice in a game.
But what is much more important: You can choose between different performance modes for games.
So you have the choice between:
- Game default setting
- Performance mode (higher frame rate is prioritized)
- Resolution mode (higher resolution is prioritized)
Some games offer both. But for some (like Spider-Man for example) you have to make a choice. Here I have to say that the performance mode is the most worthwhile in my eyes – especially if you do not use a 4K monitor or TV. Because especially the 60 (or more) FPS are currently one of the most important aspects of the Next-Gen for me.
By the way, this may be purely subjective, but I feel that even some PS4 games like The Division 2 or Elite Dangerous run a bit smoother with Performance Mode enabled, although the feature is probably more geared towards newer PS5 games. Just try it out and then decide for yourself.
You can find this setting under "Settings / Saved data and game app settings / Game preferences / Performance mode or resolution mode"
Also interesting:
Choose the right game version
You can not only play PS5 games on the PlayStation 5, but also enjoy thousands of PS4 games via backwards compatibility. Some games have a PS4 and a PS5 version or are planning to release one – such as the new Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. And it’s precisely with such so-called cross-gen games that you have to be careful about which version you download and end up playing. Otherwise, you might be playing the PS4 version on the PS5, although there is also a version especially for next-gen.
To make sure you’re really playing the PS5 version (if available), you can use
You can do this in both cases by selecting the game in the PS Store or by going to the corresponding tile of the game in the main menu and clicking on the field with the three dots next to "Play" or "Download".
There you will have the option to choose between the different versions of the game.
Disable automatic trophy videos
The PS5 offers an ultra-fast SSD, but the storage space on it is limited and currently can not be expanded – at least not so that you can also store PS5 games on it. With Astro’s Playroom pre-installed, you have 667 GB of free storage for games, apps and media at your disposal out of the box. And in my personal experience, these are used up in no time at all.
However, by turning off a trophy feature, you can save some storage space as a preventative measure. By default, the PS5 takes and saves a screenshot and a 15-second video for every new trophy you earn. Over time, a lot of clips can accumulate, which then (I think for most) unnecessarily occupy parts of the precious SSD storage.
But you can change that – like this: Go to "Settings / Recordings and Transfers / Trophies". There you now have to disable "Save trophy videos" – if you want, also "Save trophy screenshots".
Turn on/off the DualSense’s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers
One of the coolest things about the PlayStation 5 for many is the new DualSense controller. This supports haptic feedback as well as adaptive trigger keys in appropriate games. In short: If games support it, you can feel, for example, on which floor surface you are currently moving or with which weapon you are currently firing.
The new controller of the PS5
The PS5 controller is touted by numerous gamers, testers and critics for exactly this purpose. But as cool as this feature may be for many – it’s not for everyone. There are also reports that some people don’t get along with this or even find it annoying after a while.
Ultimately, it’s something everyone has to decide for themselves. The feature is activated by default. But where you can turn it off if desired is not immediately obvious to everyone.
If you want to enjoy these functions less intensively or turn them off completely after your own experiences, you can do that here: "Settings / Accessories / Controllers".
There you will find the points
- "Vibration intensity"
- "Trigger Effect Intensity"
You can then choose between strong, moderate, weak and off – depending on what you like the most.
Here are a few more tips to get you started with PS5
In addition to the settings mentioned, the following little things are also worth knowing and could make the start of your journey on the PS5 a bit more pleasant:
Play Astro’s Playroom first: Astro’s Playroom is preinstalled on all PS5 consoles. This is basically a kind of playful showcase that introduces you to the cool functions and features of the new DualSense controller.
At this point you will find an external content from YouTube, which complements the article.
View YouTube content
I tried it out late and have to say that I regret it in retrospect. Because that’s when you really start to notice what’s inside the new PS5 controller – and pretty quickly, too.
In short: I recommend everyone to try Astro’s Playroom first after setting up the PS5 for the first time.
Load the controller via the rear USB port: If you don’t have a charging station for your PS5 controller, then you should watch out now. Then you have to charge the DualSense via the included USB-C cable on the console. It’s especially convenient in idle mode, when you’re not playing. But here some users report problems.
Some users report that the controller doesn’t charge properly or only for a while – even if you configure the functions available in sleep mode so that the USB ports supply power permanently and not only for 3 hours.
I personally haven’t had any problems with this yet. If you do, it’s recommended that you use the USB port on the back of the PS5 – not the one on the front – to charge the Dualsense. This is how the charging problem can reportedly be circumvented or fixed.
The USB ports on the back
Don’t use the PS5’s standby mode with Spider-Man: Miles Morales: Also, according to some reports, if you play the new Spider-Man: Miles Morales and then just put the console into standby without completely quitting the game first, it will cause problems and crashes on the PS5. You should also pay attention to this, if you want to prevent this from happening.
Mute audio completely via the controller: What many also don’t know: The DualSense controller offers the option to completely mute all audio. This is especially useful, for example, if you want to have a short conversation with someone or if you want to take a call.
To do this, simply hold down the micro button on the controller for just under a second until it starts flashing. Then you know you have done everything right. To enjoy full audio again, just press and hold the button again.
Accessing the Control Center is slightly different: This shouldn’t be a problem for new players, but old PlayStation 4 veterans will have to get used to it. To call up the Control Center, you now only have to briefly tap the PS button on the controller and not hold it down any longer.
For example, if you want to reach the power options of your PS5, it’s right to tap the PS5 button. This will bring up the Control Center at the bottom of the screen.
By the way, if you have opened the Control Center menu, you can customize it by clicking on the Options button of the DualSense controller.
This is the option key on the DualSense
You can directly choose which inline status you log in with: Already, when you boot up your PS5, you can not only choose the user you want to log in with, but also directly select the online status you want if you wish to.
In this menu, simply press the Options button on the controller. Then you get this choice
Press the options button on the PS5 controller in the profile selection and select the desired status, if you want to change it directly.
And sorry for the picture quality – the system can’t take screenshots in this menu. So the cell phone had to do the job.
Here you can find your game library: In case you want to load up some of your old favorites right now: You won’t find the games library in the PS Store now, but only on the far right of your PS5’s main menu.
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Here you can find your game library
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Here you can find your game library
And before you search for a long time – There is no folder function: If you could still organize your games and apps in different folders on the PS4, this is currently not possible on the PS5. Before you start digging through the extensive settings options – the option is (still) not available?) is not there.
I hope this will make it easier for you to start on the new console. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask them in the comments. And if you’re still trying to order a PS5, maybe you’ve got it on 19. November, so on the launch day, luck: you want a PS5? Then you have to press the 19. November lurking at these retailers