The PS5 comes with a built-in web browser you can open from the home screen

Your PS5 has a web browser already installed — you don't need to download anything. It's called simply "Web Browser" and sits in your apps list. Open it the same way you'd open any other app: go to your PS5 home screen, scroll to the function area on the left, find "Media" or scroll through your installed apps, and select Web Browser. The browser will load in a few seconds.

The PS5 browser works like any other, but it's built for a controller rather than a keyboard and mouse. You'll navigate with your DualSense controller's directional buttons and triggers, not a trackpad. This takes a moment to get used to, but once you understand the control scheme, you can browse normally — search, click links, watch videos, and fill out forms.

The browser is useful for checking email, reading articles, watching YouTube, or looking something up while you're already on your console. It won't replace a computer or phone for serious work, but it's there when you need it without leaving your game.

Key Takeaways

  • Web Browser is built into your PS5 and appears in your apps menu — no installation needed.
  • You control the browser entirely with your DualSense controller using the directional buttons, triggers, and face buttons.
  • The browser supports typing by holding the PS button to bring up an on-screen keyboard, or by connecting a USB keyboard to your console.
  • Bookmarks, history, and settings save on your PS5, so you can return to sites you visit often without retyping the address.

Opening Web Browser from your PS5 home screen

Start at your PS5 home screen. Look at the left side of the screen where your function buttons sit — you'll see icons for Power, Explore, Create, and Media. Press right on the directional button or scroll down to find "Media." Select it, and a submenu will appear showing your media apps.

Scroll down in that Media section until you see "Web Browser." It's usually near the bottom of the list. Press X to open it. The browser will load — this takes about five to ten seconds the first time you open it, and faster on subsequent launches.

If you can't find Web Browser in the Media section, scroll all the way to the right on your home screen to the "Your Collection" area. Web Browser should appear there as one of your installed apps. Select it and press X.

How to navigate and type using your controller

Once the browser opens, you'll see a search bar at the top. Use the directional buttons on your DualSense to move a cursor around the screen — up, down, left, and right. Press X to click on links, buttons, and text fields. The L2 and R2 triggers scroll the page up and down when you're reading.

To type a web address or search term, press the PS button in the center of your controller. An on-screen keyboard will appear on your screen. Use the directional buttons to highlight each letter, then press X to select it. This is slow compared to typing on a phone, but it works for short searches and web addresses. Once you've typed what you need, look for a "Search" or "Go" button and press X to submit.

If you find yourself typing a lot, connect a USB keyboard to your PS5. Plug it into one of the USB ports on the back or front of the console, and the browser will recognize it immediately. You can then type normally without using the on-screen keyboard. A wireless keyboard with a USB receiver works just as well as a wired one.

Bookmarking sites you visit often

When you're on a website you want to return to, press the Options button (the three-line button on the right side of your controller). A menu will appear with several choices. Look for "Add to Bookmarks" or a bookmark icon. Press X to save that page.

Your bookmarks are stored on your PS5, so they'll be there the next time you open the browser. To see your bookmarks, press Options again and select "Bookmarks" or look for a bookmark icon at the top of the browser window. You can then select any bookmarked site and jump to it without typing the address again.

Bookmarks are helpful for sites you check regularly — email, news sites, streaming services, or forums. Over time, your bookmark list will grow, so don't worry about memorizing addresses.

Clearing your browsing history and managing cookies

Your PS5 browser keeps a record of every site you visit, just like a computer browser does. If you want to clear this history, press the Options button and look for "Settings" or "History." Select "Clear Browsing Data" or "Clear History." You'll see options to delete history, cookies, and cached images. Choose what you want to remove and confirm.

Clearing history regularly is a good idea if you share your PS5 with other people in your household. It prevents others from seeing where you've been online. Cookies — small files websites use to remember you — are usually cleared along with history, though some browsers let you keep them while deleting history.

If you want to prevent the browser from saving history at all, look in Settings for a "Private Browsing" or "Incognito" mode. Not all PS5 browser versions have this feature, but if yours does, turning it on means nothing gets saved to your history or cookies.

Watching videos and using streaming sites

YouTube, Netflix, and other streaming services work in the PS5 browser, though the experience is different from using their dedicated apps. Video will play in the browser window, and you control playback with your controller — press X to play or pause, use the directional buttons to skip forward or back, and press the Options button to adjust volume or quality settings.

Some streaming sites work better than others on the PS5 browser. YouTube generally works smoothly, but some sites may have trouble with certain video formats or may not let you log in properly through the browser. If a streaming site isn't working well, try using its dedicated PS5 app instead — most major services have one available in the PlayStation Store.

Keep in mind that streaming video uses your internet bandwidth, just like it would on any device. If you're streaming 4K video on your PS5 while someone else is using your internet, both activities will compete for speed.

Troubleshooting common browser problems

If the browser won't open, restart your PS5. Hold the power button for ten seconds until the console shuts down completely, wait thirty seconds, then turn it back on. This clears temporary files that might be causing the problem. Once it's back on, try opening Web Browser again.

If a website won't load or loads very slowly, check your internet connection. Go to Settings on your PS5 home screen, select "Network," then "Test Internet Connection." This will show you your download and upload speeds. If speeds are very low, move closer to your router, restart your router, or contact your internet provider.

If the browser crashes or freezes while you're using it, press the PS button to return to the home screen, then close the browser completely. Wait a few seconds, then reopen it. If crashes keep happening, try clearing your browsing data — sometimes a corrupted cookie or cached file causes instability.

The PS5 browser doesn't receive updates as often as browsers on computers or phones do, so some very new websites might not display correctly. If a site looks broken, try accessing it from a computer or phone instead to see if the problem is with the site or with the PS5 browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I download files using the PS5 browser?

The PS5 browser doesn't support file downloads the way a computer browser does. You can view and interact with most content online, but you can't save files to your console. If you need to download something, use a computer or phone instead.

Is the PS5 browser safe for online shopping and banking?

The PS5 browser uses the same security as other browsers, but it's not ideal for sensitive transactions. If you need to enter passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information, a computer or phone is safer because they have better security features and you can verify you're on the real website more easily. Use the PS5 browser for browsing and reading, not for financial transactions.

Why is typing on the PS5 browser so slow?

The on-screen keyboard requires you to highlight each letter individually with your controller, which takes time. Connecting a USB keyboard solves this problem entirely — typing becomes as fast as on any other device. Most people find a keyboard worth the small investment if they use the browser regularly.

Can I use the PS5 browser while playing a game?

No. The browser takes over your entire screen and pauses any game you're running. You have to close the browser to return to your game. If you want to look something up while gaming, use your phone or a second screen instead.

Does the PS5 browser support extensions or add-ons?

No. The PS5 browser is a simplified version without support for extensions, plugins, or add-ons. It handles basic browsing, video, and text, but not advanced features you might use on a computer browser.