If you have a PS4 console at your home, you might wonder how to make your PS4 better? We have 14 tips for you to have a much better, smoother, and enjoyable experience on your PlayStation 4 console. If you want to get the very best out of your PS4, you can take a look at the following tips:
- Dim the Light Bar of DualShock 4.
- Use PS4’s Rest Mode to Download Games faster.
- Connect PS4 to the Internet via LAN cable for faster speed.
- Rebuild the Database of PS4 for better performance.
- Attach an external hard disk to extend PS4 storage.
- Get an extra Controller for your PS4 console.
- Get a DualShock 4 Charging Station.
- Clean your PS4 console to keep it cool.
- Get a PlayStation Plus membership.
- Backup the Saved Data of PS4 games.
- Download PlayStation App on your Smartphone.
- Turn on HDMI Device Link to automatically turn on your TV.
- Enable ‘Easy Screenshots’ for taking snapshots with one tap.
- Use PlayStation Remote Play to connect to PS4.
We will look at each of the tips mentioned above and share with you all the details so that you can enjoy your PS4 console in a much better way. So let’s start with 14 tips that can surely help you with your gaming experience.
14 Tips to make your PS4 better and get the best of console:
Dim the Light Bar of DualShock 4.
Are you tired of charging your DualShock 4 controller way too often? Then we have a solution for you to quickly increase the battery life of your DualShock 4 Wireless controller. The controller comes with a light bar which consumes a lot of battery power.
You can’t turn off the Light Bar completely, but fortunately, you can Dim the brightness to save power and extend the battery life of your controller. This can be done through the Settings menu in the PS4 interface by following the below-mentioned steps:
- Open the PS4 Settings menu.
- Select Devices.
- Then select Controllers
- Choose the option Brightness of DUALSHOCK 4 Lightbar and select Dim from the menu
Use PS4’s Rest Mode to Download Games faster.
Downloading a game on your PS4 can be time-consuming, especially if you are on a slow internet connection, but you can use the full potential of PS4 download speed by putting the PS4 in rest mode before downloading the game.
We have seen that when we put our PS4 console in Rest Mode, the games get downloaded faster. Please keep in mind that you have to enable the ‘Stay connected to Internet’ option to download games while your PS4 is in the Rest Mode. You can update the default settings by following the below steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Then select Power Save Settings.
- Choose, Set Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Enable Stay Connected to the Internet
If you are downloading a game in the background, you can put your PS4 in the Rest Mode by holding down the PlayStation button on your controller to bring up the Quick Menu and then select the ‘Power option and then select ‘Enter Rest Mode.‘ Your PS4 will enter the Rest Mode, and the games will download much faster.
Connect PS4 to the Internet via LAN cable for faster speed.
If you have been experiencing slow internet speed while connected to Wi-Fi, then you can try connecting your PS4 console to your router via the LAN cable to have higher download/upload speeds. A wired connection will help you have a better experience while downloading games or playing multiplayer online games than the wireless connection.
To connect your PS4 to the router via ethernet cable, locate the ethernet port at the rear side of your PS4 and plug the ethernet cable into the port. Connect the other end of the cable to one of the available ports on your router. You can also read our complete guide on How To Connect PS4 To The Internet?
Rebuild the Database of PS4 for better performance.
If you are facing sluggishness while you operate your PS4 and don’t respond as fast when you first bought the console, this option can help you.
Over a period of time, the files on your PS4, such as Games, Videos, and Game Saves, can become fragmented and cause your console to slow down. The rebuilding database option on the PS4 cleans up the file system of your PS4, providing you with a fresh and faster overall experience on your PS4 console.
To rebuild the database on your PS4, follow the below steps:
- Turn off your PS4 console.
- Press and hold the power button on your PS4 until you hear two beeps to enter PS4’s safe mode.
- Connect your DualShock 4 controller to the PS4 console using a USB cable as DS4 won’t connect to PS4 wirelessly while in the safe mode.
- Select the option ‘Rebuild Database’ from the menu.
The rebuild database option doesn’t delete your files; instead, it defragments the file system only, so you can use this option to get rid of the sluggishness and enjoy much smoother performance that you experienced on your brand new PS4.
Attach an external hard disk to extend PS4 storage
If you have a collection of lots of games with you, either physical disc or digital games, then the space on your internal hard disk can quickly fill up. To keep multiple games installed on your PS4, you certainly require more drive space so that you can quickly switch between the games as per your wish. We recommend investing in a new external hard disk to solve this issue.
The PS4 games and applications can be installed and stored on your external hard disk. Follow the below steps to set up your external hard disk:
- Go to PS4 Settings.
- Select Devices.
- Then select USB Storage Devices from the menu.
- Then choose your external hard disk and select the option to Format as Extended Storage.
- Next, go to Settings > Storage.
- Press the Options button on your DualShock 4 controller and choose extended storage as your default location for new games and apps.
Now all your new games will be installed on this external storage, and you won’t be having storage space issues for quite a while now.
Get an extra Controller for your PS4 console.
You may find that you need an additional controller for your PS4 console after some time because you might want to play some local multiplayer games, such as Street Fighter V, etc., with your friends and family. Also, an extra DualShock 4 controller can save you from a situation wherein your primary controller’s battery depletes completely, this is where your extra controller comes in, and you can swap your controllers easily.
Get a DualShock 4 Charging Station.
DualShock 4 charging station is a handy accessory for your PS4 console. It can accommodate up to two controllers at a time. The charging station also gives you the freedom to turn off your PS4 when not in use, and you can put your controllers on the charging station instead for a quick charging session.
Clean your PS4 console to keep it cool.
You might be wondering whether cleaning your PS4 improves its performance? Well, after a while, dust particles can accumulate on your PS4. Cleaning the PS4 can improve the airflow in your PS4 and help the console to run for a more extended period.
As we know that heat is the worst enemy for electronic devices. So to keep the temperature at optimal levels in your PS4, you can clean out the PS4 externally using a can of pressurized air. Also, please note that opening the PS4 on your voids your warranty and can damage your console. You can read further on this and how to increase PS4’s lifespan by following the link: How Long Should You Play PS4? Increase PS4’s lifespan
Get a PlayStation Plus membership.
PlayStation Plus is a subscription service from Sony which provides access to online gaming features, including cloud save, free monthly game downloads, discounts on digital content, and more. By investing in a PlayStation Plus membership, you will be getting 24 games free per year for only a fraction of the cost.
Also, you require a PlayStation Plus subscription to play online multiplayer games. So it’s a win-win situation if you invest in a PlayStation Plus subscription. Also, there are other benefits like exclusive offers and discounts on digital purchases, making a PlayStation Plus subscription a worthwhile investment. You can read more about it at All-New PlayStation Plus: Which tier is best for you?
With the All-New PlayStation Plus Premium tier, you can stream games without a PlayStation 4 console which was previously possible with the PS Now service.
Backup the Saved Data of PS4 games.
You must take extra precautions with the Saved Data on your PS4 and keep the data backed up to a second device in case of unexpected issues with the PS4 console. Fortunately, PlayStation provides an easy solution for this. You can backup your data to a USB device or upload it to PlayStation’s Online Storage by following the below steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Select Application Saved Data Management
- Choose Saved Data in System Storage
- Now You can attach a USB drive to the console and Copy to USB Storage Device.
- You can also upload to Online Storage if you are a PlayStation Plus Subscriber.
That’s it; now you can enjoy your games peacefully without having to worry about your game saves.
You can also Auto Upload your game saves saving you a lot of time. As we said before, upload to online storage requires PlayStation Plus membership. Follow the below steps to auto-upload your Saved Data:
- First, go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PlayStation 4.
- Then, go to Settings > Power Save Settings > Set Features Available in Rest Mode and enable the checkbox against Stay Connected to the Internet.
- Now, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management.
- Select Auto-Upload and then select the checkbox against each game for which you want to enable the auto-upload.
Download PlayStation App on your Smartphone.
With Sony’s PlayStation App, you can stay connected to the PlayStation world and check the latest deals and discounts running on your favorite games. You can also chat with your PSN friends using the mobile app and send voice messages too.
Also, if you want your new games to be downloaded and available to play even when you are away from your console, you can use the PlayStation App. It will automatically download all the games which you selected on the PlayStation App to your PS4 console. Games will be ready to play once you reach back home. Please note that the PS4 has to be connected to the internet for this feature to work.
Follow the below steps to Download Games to your PS4 using the PlayStation App:
- Download the PlayStation App from Google Play Store or Apple App Store
- Start the application and go to the ‘Game Library.’
- Then, select ‘Purchased.’
- Select the game that you want to download to the console.
- After that, select ‘Download to Console.’
- That’s it; the download will start on your PS4 automatically.
Turn on HDMI Device Link to automatically turn on your TV.
You can automatically turn on your TV when you start your PS4 console with the help of the HDMI Device Link feature. This means that only a press of the PlayStation button at your DualShock 4 controller will start both your PS4 and TV as well. It’s a handy feature and enables you to quickly jump into the action.
To activate HDMI Device Link, follow the below steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Then, select System.
- Finally, select the checkbox for Enable HDMI Device Link.
HDMI Device Link feature works using the CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) specification, a type of HDMI specification. Please check with your TV specifications whether it supports this function or not.
Enable ‘Easy Screenshots’ for taking screenshots with one tap
You can already take a screenshot with the help of the share button on top of your DualShock 4 controller. With the default settings, the single tap on the Share button brings up a menu that allows you to take screenshots or record videos. Now, you can change these settings and take screenshots with a single tap of the Share button for a quick and easy process. To take screenshots with a single tap of the Share button on the DualShock 4 controller, follow the below steps
- Go to Settings.
- Select Sharing and Broadcasts.
- Choose Easy Screenshots.
After enabling the above settings, whenever you tap the Share button, a screenshot will be taken, and to bring up the Share Menu, you just need to hold the Share Button for a second, and the Share menu will open. We found it more convenient to use the Easy Screenshots settings rather than the default settings.
Use PlayStation Remote Play to connect to PS4.
PlayStation Remote Play lets you stream gameplay content from your PS4 to a computer or smartphone/tablet via an Internet connection. For example, if you started playing your favorite game on your console, such as God of War, and want to continue playing it while you are away from the console and finish the rest of the story. Then, you can connect to your PS4 via PlayStation Remote Play and continue your adventure. Please note that a strong internet connection is required to take full advantage of the Remote Play feature. You can read more about PlayStation Remote Play at How To Use PlayStation Remote Play?
Pro Tip: With the help of PlayStation Remote Play, you can use the PS5 controller on PS4.
If you need help in setting up your PS4 then you may check out the following article: How to set up a PS4? Complete guide.
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