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Can Two People Use PS Remote Play?

The short answer is: no, not simultaneously. While PS Remote Play is an excellent feature allowing you to stream your PlayStation games to other devices, it only supports one active remote play session at a time. This means that while multiple people can potentially use the feature at different times, two people cannot use Remote Play simultaneously on the same PlayStation console. Once a second connection attempts to initiate, the first Remote Play session will be disconnected.

Understanding the Limitations of PS Remote Play

The core limitation stems from the way PlayStation’s Remote Play is designed. It essentially mirrors your console’s output to another screen, granting remote control of your PlayStation. This means the console isn’t running two separate instances of the game; it’s only running one. Consequently, you cannot have two independent players controlling the game through separate remote sessions. Think of it like trying to control the same car with two different steering wheels – it simply doesn’t work. The system is designed for a single user, single session experience.

How to Use Remote Play with Others (Not Simultaneously)

Although two people cannot use remote play at the same time, it doesn’t mean you can’t leverage it with others. Here’s how you might utilize the feature with friends or family:

Taking Turns: You can pass the remote play baton. One user starts a session on their device, plays, and then disconnects, allowing another user to then connect and continue.
Adding Players Locally: If you’re playing a multiplayer game and have started a remote play session, others can join locally on the main PlayStation console as added players. They would simply need to log into the console and press the options button on their controller to participate. This doesn’t work through a second remote play session; the added players must be connected to the console directly.
Utilizing Game Sharing (Not Remote Play Specific): If you own a digital copy of a game, you can use the game sharing feature on the PS5 (or primary console designation on PS4) to allow other accounts on the console to play the game. This allows multiple users to play the game but still doesn’t enable two remote play sessions. It means that one person can be using Remote Play, while others use the primary console and TV.

Why Can’t You Use Remote Play Simultaneously?

The restriction on simultaneous use is tied to the resources required by the Remote Play feature. It has to:

Stream video: The console has to encode and stream the video output of the game in real-time.
Transmit controller input: Controller commands must be reliably transmitted back to the console.
Manage connection stability: Maintaining a stable connection over a network takes processing power.

Having to manage two streams of both video and controller input would significantly increase the processing load on the console, which is why it’s limited to a single active session. This is not a limitation specific to Sony either; most systems offering this type of remote play functionality have similar restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about PS Remote Play to provide further context and information:

1. Can more than one person connect to Remote Play at the same time?

No, only one device can connect and stream via PS Remote Play at a time. Attempting to connect with a second device while another session is active will disconnect the initial session.

2. Can I use a PS4 controller on PS5 during Remote Play?

While a PS4 controller can connect to a PS5, it can only control PS4 games played on the PS5, not PS5 games. This limitation applies to both local play and Remote Play. The controller will not have full functionality in Remote Play sessions where you’re running a PS5 game.

3. How many controllers can be used when someone is Remote Playing on PS5?

If someone is using Remote Play, other users can join locally on the console, acting as additional players using wired or wireless controllers connected directly to the primary console, just like you normally would. The number of controllers is dependent on the game.

4. Why is my PS Remote Play so laggy?

Lag in PS Remote Play can be caused by several issues:

Slow Internet Connection: A minimum of 5 Mbps upload and download speed is required, but 9 Mbps is recommended for the best experience.
Network Congestion: Other devices using the network may consume a lot of bandwidth.
Wi-Fi Issues: Using an Ethernet connection for both your console and the remote play device often provides a more reliable connection than Wi-Fi.

5. Can I use Remote Play away from home?

Yes, you can use PS Remote Play away from home as long as you have a stable internet connection and the remote play app installed on the device you want to use.

6. Is PS Remote Play free?

Yes, the PS Remote Play app is free to download and use. You will, however, need an active internet connection, and of course, a PlayStation 4 or 5 console that you are connecting to.

7. What devices can I use with PS Remote Play?

You can use PS Remote Play on a variety of devices, including:

Smartphones (Android and iOS)
Tablets (Android and iOS)
Windows PC
Mac

8. How do I get 1080p on PS5 Remote Play?

PS5 and PS4 Pro Remote Play will automatically adjust the resolution, up to 1080p, based on your internet connection. There is no manual setting for this; it’s dynamically managed to provide the best possible stream.

9. Is Ethernet better than Wi-Fi for PS Remote Play?

Generally, Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi for Remote Play due to its lower latency and more stable connection. This can minimize lag and improve overall performance.

10. What is the minimum upload speed for PS Remote Play?

The minimum required upload speed for PS Remote Play is 5 Mbps, but for optimal performance, a speed of 9 Mbps or more is recommended.

11. Can you share play using Remote Play?

No, Share Play cannot be used while Remote Play is active. Both features utilize the network connection and cannot operate at the same time.

12. Why is my Remote Play not working away from home?

This can happen due to:

Blocked Ports: Firewalls or routers might be blocking the required network port for Remote Play.
Low Internet Speed: Both the console and device must have adequate upload and download speeds.
Network Congestion: Other devices consuming too much bandwidth can affect the experience.

13. Can I play the same game on two PS5s at the same time?

You can play the same digital game on two PS5s simultaneously if one user sets the second console as the primary console with the owning account, and that game is being played from the game library of the user that owns that account.

### 14. Can multiple accounts play the same game on one PS5?
Yes, with game sharing enabled, multiple accounts on the same PS5 can play games from each other’s digital libraries.

15. Can I use Remote Play with friends?

While you can’t use remote play together simultaneously, you can certainly let friends use it, or join a multiplayer game that you are remotely playing, locally.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while PS Remote Play is a fantastic tool for accessing your PlayStation games on other devices, it is designed for a single user experience. It does not support simultaneous use by multiple people. While you can take turns or utilize added local players when remote playing, it’s important to understand the limitations of this technology. Understanding how Remote Play works and its network requirements will allow you to get the most out of the feature.

Can two people use PS Remote Play?