Immediately after Sony released the PS5, optional accessories for the next-gen console also hit the market.
One of the PlayStation 5 accessories sold is the PS5 Media Remote, which gives you effortless control of media playback on your console.
The last time Sony released a media remote with its game console was with the PS3, so this new accessory has excited many PlayStation fans.
Recently, a friend of mine who was considering buying the PS5 Media Remote to use with their PS4 asked me a question that is on many PlayStation gamers’ minds.
Does the PS5 remote work on the PS4? Unfortunately, the PS5 media remote doesn’t work with the PS4. I attempted to use the PS5 remote with my PS4, but all methods I tried to connect the two devices failed. On the Playstation website, it states PS5 system software is required for the remote to work. So, if you were thinking of getting the PS5 remote to use with your PS4, you’re out of luck because the two devices are not compatible.
Now you know you can’t use the PS5 remote with the PS4.
In the following sections, I’ll share with you what options you have for better controlling media playback on your PS4.
Is there a media remote for the PS4?
For an inexplicable reason, PlayStation didn’t release a PS4 remote control.
To control play on your DVDs and Blu-rays, or navigate streaming sites like Netflix and Hulu on the PS4, you have three options.
You could use your DualShock 4 controller, purchase a third-party PS4 remote, or control media using your TV remote.
I prefer lounging on my couch and watching my Blu-ray movies without a gamepad in my hands.
Also, the DualShock 4 wasn’t designed for activities outside of gaming, so it doesn’t offer the best media playback experience.
For example, because the controller doesn’t have any labeling for play, pause, forward, etc. unless you have memorized what each button does, you’re likely to press the wrong button for a particular function, and the next thing you know is you’re fast-forwarding your movie and getting spoilers.
That’s why I recommend using a third-party PS4 media remote for comfortable volume control, rewind, pause, and play, etc., when using streaming apps or playing content from the PlayStation 4 disc drive.
There are several media remotes you can use with the PS4, but here are my top recommendations.
This remote was specifically designed by PDP for PS4 media playback and has been officially licensed by Sony for use with the console.
While it has a blocky outdated design, the PDP Universal Remote connects to your PS4 via Bluetooth and lets you watch and easily control videos from streaming services like YouTube, and Netflix or DVDs or Blu-rays.
The remote requires two AAA batteries to function, and these are not included in its packaging, so you have to buy them separately.
Sold on Amazon, where the remote has plenty of five-star reviews, The PDP Universal Remote also allows you to control up to 4 devices at the same time.
So, instead of using several remotes to control your TV, audio receivers, PS4, cable box, etc., you could use this one remote.
And the PDP Universal Remote can work via infrared, meaning it works on devices that don’t have Bluetooth.
Note the PDP Universal Remote also works with the PS5.
So instead of buying the PS5 Media remote, you could save money and use this remote instead with your next-gen console.
If you’re looking for something sleeker to use as a PS4 media remote, I highly recommend you get the PDP Cloud Remote.
This remote has a more modern look and a lot fewer buttons than the PDP Universal Remote, which makes it less cluttered.
It also connects to the PS4 via Bluetooth for hassle-free control of your console’s media playback from your couch.
Once you download the remote’s app, setting it up to control volume, put your PS4 on and off, pause, rewind, etc., is straightforward. The entire process should take you less than five minutes.
The device also uses two AAA batteries which don’t come with the remote.
If you’re wondering why I have only recommended PS4 media remotes from the PDP brand, it is because they’re the most reliable on the market and also have PlayStation’s official blessings.
Other brands do make remotes for the PS4, but they may not function as well with your console.
They may, for example, not power the console on or off, or the Bluetooth connection may constantly drop, making it difficult to control media playback on the PS4.
How to control your PS4 with a TV remote
If you’re not willing to spend money on a PS4 media remote, you could use your HD TV remote to control playback on your PS4.
This is made possible through something known as HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control), which allows you to control devices connected to your TV via an HDMI cable using its remote control
The PS4 supports HDMI-CEC, and your TV should also support this feature for your console to be able to receive commands from your HD TV remote.
Here are the steps to set up your PS4 to work with your TV’s remote:
1: From your PS4 Home Screen go to Settings.
2: Scroll down and click on the Systems Menu.
3: On the next page you’ll see Enable HDMI Device Link. Check the box next to it to enable HDMI-CEC on your PS4. With this setting turned on, your PS4 will accept commands from your TV remote.
4: Go to your TV’s settings and look for the setting that enables HDMI-CEC. Different TV brands have various names for it. Here are the most common”
- LG: SimpLink
- Samsung: Anynet
- Sony: Bravia Link or Bravia Sync
- Panasonic: Viera Link
- Sharp: Aquos Link
Once you find your TV’s HDMI-CEC setting, turn it on, and you’ll be able to see devices you can use this function with on your TV. Your PS4 should be one of the devices on the list.
You should then be able to flip through your PS4 menus and control playback on streaming services or physical media using your TV’s remote.
You may experience some hiccups while using your TV remote to control your PS4, but it is better than using your PS4 controller.