Sony has released a new system software update for the PlayStation Portal remote player. The update brings some long-requested functionality that PlayStation Portal users have been waiting for since the launch of the handheld device’s Cloud Streaming beta.
Back when it launched in late 2023, the PS Portal was a somewhat confusing proposition for many. It was the first PlayStation-branded handheld since 2011’s ill-fated PS Vita, yet the PS Portal essentially served as an add-on Remote Play accessory for the PS5. Despite the skepticism, the PS Portal turned out a smashing success for Sony, far surpassing the gaming giant’s demand projections. However, the initial lack of cloud streaming support was a sore point for PS Portal users, even more so since there wasn’t any reason it couldn’t be achieved on the handheld.
Sony clearly saw sense in that notion, and in November 2024, a PS Portal Cloud Streaming beta was rolled out for PS Plus Premium subscribers. This beta lacked several basic features, though, erring more on the side of a tech demo than a semi-polished user experience. Now, Sony is finally fleshing out the PS Plus Cloud Streaming beta in meaningful ways via a brand-new system update. PS Portal users can sort the cloud game catalog alphabetically, by release date, or by how recently a title was added to PS Plus, making browsing the growing library far more manageable. The update also adds the ability to capture gameplay while streaming, mirroring how screenshots and clips work on the PS5 or standard Remote Play sessions.
Moreover, there are added quality-of-life improvements to session management, where users can now pause a cloud-streamed game and put the PS Portal into rest mode, though it’ll only hold the connection for 15 seconds before auto-disconnecting. Similarly, if the PS Portal is left idle without pausing, a warning will appear after 10 minutes of inactivity, counting down before the session ends. For crowded servers, a new queue screen shows estimated wait times and automatically launches the game upon the user’s turn. Lastly, Sony has added a feedback system with emoji-style ratings, allowing users to express satisfaction with PS Plus Premium from one to five.
The latest PS Portal update is welcome news, especially for users who have been clamoring for a greater emphasis on cloud-streamed games. It’s worth noting, though, that the PS Portal’s cloud streaming capabilities are still in beta form, which means Sony is likely working on bolstering them further with more features and/or supported games in the near future.
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Source: https://gamerant.com/playstation-portal-update-april-2025-patch-notes/