How to download PlayStation games remotely

With new games appearing monthly as part of PlayStation Plus, and a packed game release calendar, there’s always something new to play on the PS4 and PS5. The question is, how do you download those games while you’re out and about so you can play them as soon as you get home? Nobody likes to wait for big AAA games to download, after all.

The good news is that it’s possible – and easy – to remotely download games to your PS4 and PS5 using the PlayStation App for iOS and Android. Here’s how to do it.

How to remotely download PS4 and PS5 games to your console

It’s easy to remotely download titles to your PS4 or PS5 using the PlayStation App for iOS and Android – just be sure that your console has an internet connection and is in rest mode, rather than fully powered down.

1. Download the PlayStation App for
   iOS or
   Android and follow the setup process to link it to your console.
2. In the PlayStation App, open the Game Library tab.
3. Tap Purchased.
4. Browse for the game or app you’d like to install on your console and tap it.
5. Tap Download to Console to initiate the download process. If you’d like to switch to a different console from the one selected, tap the name of your console and select the console you’d like to use instead.
6. You’ll get a notification on your smartphone once the game has been installed.

The download time will depend on the size of the game and your internet connection too. It’s also worth noting that you’re also able to download games and apps to your console when you first purchase them via the PlayStation app – just tap Download to Console once your purchase has been finalised.

How to remotely delete stored games on PS5

What if you go to install a game and realise there isn’t enough storage? It’s a problem PS5 users run into consistently, thanks to the relatively small 667GB of usable storage available on the console. The good news is that you can use the PlayStation App to not only install new games but uninstall old ones too – a godsend for PlayStation gamers.

The bad news, however, is that the functionality isn’t available for PS4 gamers – if your PS4 console is full, you’ll have to wait until you’re at home to free up some space.

If you do have Sony’s next-gen PS5, here’s how to remotely delete stored games:

1. Open the PlayStation App for iOS and Android.
2. Tap the Play tab.
3. Tap the Cog icon in the top-right to access the Settings menu.
4. Your console’s current storage should be displayed at the top of the page – tap it to view all currently installed apps and games.
5. Tap the circle next to any game or app you’d like to delete from your console. You’re not limited to how many you can delete at once, so select as many as you like.
6. Tap Delete Games.
7. Tap Delete to confirm your choice.

The apps and games you selected should then be deleted from your PS5, freeing up valuable space to install the latest PS5 games from your smartphone.  

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