Sony’s latest update turns the PlayStation Portal into a true cloud gaming handheld, finally cutting its dependency on a PS5 console.
Quick Summary – TLDR:
- PlayStation Portal now supports PS5 game streaming directly from the cloud
- Requires a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription
- New update includes redesigned home screen, 3D audio, multiplayer support, and more
- Players can stream titles even when their PS5 console is turned off
What Happened?
Sony has launched a major software update for the PlayStation Portal handheld, enabling cloud streaming of PS5 games for PlayStation Plus Premium subscribers. This marks a huge leap forward for the device, which until now could only mirror a user’s PS5 through Remote Play.
Cloud Streaming officially arrives on PlayStation Portal today.
— PlayStation (@PlayStation) November 5, 2025
PS Plus Premium members can now stream select digital PS5 games in their library, in addition to hundreds of compatible games from the Game Catalog and Classics Catalog: https://t.co/EHMIjnErWn pic.twitter.com/IRLYmDAib5
PlayStation Portal Is Now a True Cloud Gaming Handheld
With system update 6.0.0, Sony has effectively transformed the PlayStation Portal into a standalone cloud gaming device. PlayStation Plus Premium members can now stream select PS5 titles directly from the cloud, no longer needing to keep their PS5 console powered on or nearby.
Some of the headline games now available for cloud streaming include:
- Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
- God of War Ragnarök
- Resident Evil 4
- Astro Bot
- Cyberpunk 2077
- The Last of Us Part II Remastered
- Hogwarts Legacy
- Fortnite and many more
Users can also access their personal PS5 game library, as well as titles from the PlayStation Plus Game and Classics Catalog, all through the cloud. The feature is only available with a PlayStation Plus Premium subscription, priced at $17.99 per month.
New Features Enhance Portability and Experience
This update is more than just game streaming. Sony has packed in a bunch of quality-of-life upgrades to improve how the Portal feels and functions:
- A redesigned home screen, organized into Remote Play, Cloud Streaming, and Search tabs
- 3D Audio support using headsets like the Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite
- The ability to join multiplayer games through quick invites
- In-game purchases are now supported during streaming sessions
- A new network status panel to troubleshoot internet performance
- Option to lock the device with a passcode
- Accessibility features like adjustable text size and a screen reader
These changes make the Portal feel more like a full-featured gaming system and less like a remote control for your PS5.
A Big Step After a Quiet Launch
When Sony launched the PlayStation Portal in November 2023, many gamers were skeptical. It required a constant connection to a PS5 and could not run games on its own. Critics compared it unfavorably to handheld powerhouses like the Steam Deck or Nintendo Switch.
But with this new cloud streaming functionality, Sony has repositioned the Portal as a flexible and portable alternative for players who want console-level experiences on the go. You can now continue your game sessions from anywhere with a strong internet connection, whether your PS5 is on or not.
Sony recommends a minimum internet speed of 5Mbps, with higher speeds up to 52Mbps enabling better visuals, even up to 4K resolution for supported titles.
Sony executive Takuro Fushimi shared that the Portal is now their most-used device for streaming PS5 games, even more than smartphones and tablets.
Daily Research News Takeaway
I’ve got to say, this update finally gives the PlayStation Portal the purpose it was missing. Before, it felt like a tethered screen for your PS5. Now, it’s a true gaming companion, especially for those of us who like flexibility or live in homes where the main TV is always taken. If Sony keeps supporting it with more features, this could be their quiet hit in the handheld space. It’s not quite a Vita comeback, but it’s a big step in the right direction.
