PlayStation Portal now streams PS5 games from the cloud, like it should have done at launch, but it’s not free
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Cloud gaming has become increasingly popular over the past few years, especially with services like Nvidia’s GeForce Now getting regular improvements. It lets players enjoy games without downloading or installing anything, as everything runs on remote servers. And if you own a PlayStation Portal, you’ll be happy to hear that Sony has added cloud streaming for PS5 games.
This means you can now stream PS5 titles directly on your Portal without needing your console turned on. Before this update, the PlayStation Portal only worked through Remote Play, meaning you had to connect it to a PS5 console that you already owned. You could only play the games installed on your system at home. But now, with cloud streaming, the Portal can finally do what fans always wanted – play PS5 games directly through the cloud wherever you like, assuming you have a stable internet connection.
Cloud Streaming is only available to PlayStation Plus Premium members
According to the official PlayStation Blog, this new feature rolled out on November 5 for PlayStation Plus Premium members. It allows players to stream select PS5 games from their own library or from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog.
Thousands of titles are supported at launch, including big hits like Astro Bot, Borderlands 4, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, Grand Theft Auto V, and Resident Evil 4. Games from the Game Catalog, such as Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and The Last of Us Part II Remastered, are also included. You can see the full list and search for games on PlayStation’s website here.
The update also adds a new user interface to make things simpler. The home screen now includes three tabs: Remote Play, Cloud Streaming, and Search. You can connect to your PS5 console, stream games from the cloud, or look up titles directly through the Search option. If you don’t own a specific game, the Portal will display a QR code that takes you to the PlayStation App or website to buy it.
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There are also new features to make gameplay smoother and more immersive. 3D Audio support has been added for both Remote Play and Cloud Streaming. You can also now set a passcode for added security and check your network status easily to make sure your connection is stable.
Only players who subscribe to PlayStation Plus Premium, the most expensive tier of Sony’s online service, can use cloud streaming. This plan is required to access the feature and costs more than the standard or extra tiers. Without this subscription, you’ll still be limited to Remote Play, which requires your console to be powered on.
Cloud gaming also relies heavily on your internet connection. Sony recommends a minimum speed of 5 Mbps, but for smoother gameplay, you’ll need at least 15 Mbps or higher. A weaker connection can cause lag, reduced image quality, or even disconnections during play. So while you can technically stream from a cafe, hotel, or anywhere with Wi-Fi, your experience will depend entirely on the strength and stability of your connection.
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