5 Hidden PS5 Features You Might Have Missed (And How to Use Them)
The PlayStation 5 is well worth the time and money for most gamers. It has a sizable library of quality exclusive titles, and the PS5 DualSense remains the best controller on the market. But there’s nothing wrong with just hooking up your PS5 to a TV, inserting a game, and playing—that only scratches the surface of the console’s capabilities.
Over half a decade, Sony has rolled out updates that improve the PS5 experience, and not all of them are obvious. Some hide behind specific menus, while others are hidden in plain sight. This guide reveals five hidden features and exactly how to activate them.
Quick Reference: Hidden Features at a Glance
| Feature | What It Does | Where to Find It | Compatible Models |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Enhance PSSR Image Quality | AI upscaling for sharper, clearer images | Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output | PS5 Pro only |
| 2. Original Game Prices in Store | Shows launch price and lowest price in last 30 days | Built-in PS Store (after update) | All PS5 models |
| 3. Offline Play & Console Sharing | Play games without internet; share PS Plus benefits | Settings > Users and Accounts > Other | All PS5 models |
| 4. Dolby Atmos Audio | Immersive 3D soundscape for games and media | Settings > Sound > Audio Format | All PS5 models |
| 5. Share Game Sessions & Discord Voice | Easy party invites and Discord integration | Control Center > Game Base / Discord | All PS5 models |
Feature 1: Enhance Image Quality (PS5 Pro Only)
When Sony announced the PS5, almost everyone predicted an updated “Pro” version would follow—and the PS5 Pro delivered. However, its value has grown significantly through updates, particularly with the improved PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR) upscaler.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| What It Is | AI-powered upscaling that makes images sharper and clearer without impacting performance |
| Recent Update | More efficient PSSR pushes graphical fidelity even further |
| Current Support | “Resident Evil Requiem” (more titles coming) |
| Requirement | PS5 Pro console + compatible 4K TV |
How to Activate PSSR
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings |
| 2 | Scroll to “Screen and Video” |
| 3 | Select “Video Output” |
| 4 | Toggle “Enhance PSSR Image Quality” ON |
Bonus: Enhance PS4 Games
Under the same menu, you’ll find “Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games.” Toggling this heightens graphical fidelity for PS4 titles (note: not compatible with every game).
Feature 2: Keep an Eye on Original Game Prices
Sony faced criticism for experimenting with “dynamic pricing,” but a genuinely beneficial change to the PS5’s built-in store snuck under the radar. In February, Sony updated the PS5’s store to show a game’s launch price and the lowest price in the last 30 days .
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Launch Price Display | Helps you determine if you’re getting a good deal |
| Lowest Price (30 days) | Alerts you if you missed a recent sale |
How to Access
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ensure your PS5 has installed the latest update |
| 2 | Open the built-in PS Store |
| 3 | Browse any game—pricing history appears automatically |
Note: The feature is on a rollout schedule, so some users may need to wait. Also, it won’t predict future sales, and if a game hasn’t been on sale in 30 days, the store may incorrectly label the current price as the “lowest.”
Feature 3: Play Offline
Modern game discs are little more than DRM—all necessary data lives on the SSD. However, you can play digital games offline (even when PSN goes down) by activating Offline Play .
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Offline Play | Play games without internet connection |
| Console Sharing | Share PS Plus benefits across accounts on one console |
How to Activate Offline Play & Console Sharing
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open Settings |
| 2 | Scroll to “Users and Accounts” |
| 3 | Select “Other” |
| 4 | Toggle “Console Sharing and Offline Play” ON |
Pro Tip: With Console Sharing enabled, if one account has an active PS Plus membership, all accounts on that console can use PS Plus to play multiplayer titles online .
Feature 4: Improve Audio Quality with Dolby Atmos
Before the PS5 launched, 3D audio was limited to the proprietary Pulse 3D Wireless Headset. In 2023, an update added Dolby Atmos support—and now games can benefit from the rich soundscape of Dolby Atmos, not just Blu-rays .
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Hardware | Compatible Bluetooth headphones/speakers (e.g., Sonos Beam Gen 2) |
| Connection | Physical or Bluetooth |
How to Set Up Dolby Atmos
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Connect compatible audio components |
| 2 | Open Settings |
| 3 | Navigate to “Sound” > “Audio Output” |
| 4 | Select “Audio Format (Priority)” |
| 5 | Choose “Dolby Atmos” |
Note: Some devices have automatic calibration tools (like Sonos) that adjust sound to your room’s acoustics. Manual tweaking may be needed for optimal results.
Feature 5: Share Game Sessions and Voice Chats
The PS5 isn’t short on multiplayer experiences, and two features make playing with friends easier: Session Share and Discord voice chat integration .
Session Share: Invite Players to Active Games
| Method | Steps |
|---|---|
| Via Player Profile | Visit profile > Select “Invite to Game” > Follow prompts |
| Via Control Center | Press PS button > Open “Game Base” > Highlight player/group > Select “Invite to Game” |
Discord Voice Chat on PS5 (Added 2024)
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Link your PS5 and Discord accounts (one-time setup) |
| 2 | Press PS button to open Control Center |
| 3 | Select “Game Base” |
| 4 | Open the Discord tab |
| 5 | Select “Direct Voice Chats” |
| 6 | Highlight players > Select “Start Voice Chat” (or “Join” for ongoing sessions) |
Note: You can also initiate Discord voice chats from your phone or computer, then transfer to PS5.
Summary Table: Hidden Features Activation Guide
| Feature | Menu Path | Key Toggle |
|---|---|---|
| PSSR Image Quality | Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output | “Enhance PSSR Image Quality” |
| Game Pricing History | PS Store (after update) | Automatic |
| Offline Play | Settings > Users and Accounts > Other | “Console Sharing and Offline Play” |
| Dolby Atmos | Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Audio Format | “Dolby Atmos” |
| Session Share | Control Center > Game Base | “Invite to Game” |
| Discord Voice | Control Center > Game Base > Discord | “Start Voice Chat” |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Do I need a PS5 Pro for PSSR? | Yes. PSSR is exclusive to PS5 Pro. |
| Will Dolby Atmos work with any headphones? | No—you need compatible headphones/speakers that support Dolby Atmos. |
| Can I play all PS4 games with enhanced image quality? | Not all. The “Enhance Image Quality for PS4 Games” feature isn’t compatible with every title. |
| How do I know if my console has the pricing history update? | Check the PS Store. If you see launch prices and “lowest price in 30 days,” you have it. |
| Does Console Sharing work with PS Plus Essential? | Yes, all PS Plus tiers benefit from Console Sharing. |
Conclusion
The PS5 is more than just a console for playing games—it’s a constantly evolving platform with features that improve over time. From AI-powered upscaling on PS5 Pro to Dolby Atmos audio, offline play capabilities, and Discord integration, Sony has packed the system with hidden gems that enhance every aspect of the experience.
Take a few minutes to explore your Settings menu and activate these features. Your future self—whether playing offline during a PSN outage, enjoying crystal-clear audio, or effortlessly joining friends via Discord—will thank you.
