The PlayStation Portal has just received the massive, game-changing upgrade fans have been waiting for. Starting today, the device is no longer strictly a Remote Play accessory tethered to your PS5 console. With the official rollout of full cloud streaming, the Portal is transforming into a true handheld gaming device, capable of playing thousands of PS5 titles even if your home console is off, in use, or you simply don’t own one.
This isn’t just an incremental update; it’s a fundamental shift in the Portal’s value proposition.
The Big Change: Freedom from the PS5
At launch, the PlayStation Portal was exclusively a Remote Play device, meaning it streamed games from your connected PlayStation 5. If your PS5 was off or someone else in the house was using it, the Portal became a $200 paperweight.
The new cloud streaming feature, exiting its beta phase, cuts this cord entirely. PlayStation Plus Premium members can now stream:
- Select Digital PS5 Games from their own purchased library.
- Hundreds of titles from the PlayStation Plus Game Catalog and Classics Catalog.
This functionality now allows users to:
- Play Away from Home: Stream games from a hotel, a café, or a friend’s house—anywhere with a strong Wi-Fi connection (15 Mbps recommended).
- Play While the PS5 is Busy: Stream your favorite game while a family member is watching a movie on the PS5 or playing another title under a separate account.
- Play Without a Powered-On Console: You no longer need to worry about leaving your PS5 on or in Rest Mode back home.
In essence, this update provides the standalone streaming experience many expected from the device at launch.
What You Need to Know
| Feature | Requirement | Key Details |
| Availability | Today (Nov. 5th) | The feature is officially rolling out to all Portal owners. |
| Subscription | PlayStation Plus Premium | Cloud streaming is exclusive to the highest tier of the PS Plus subscription. |
| Game Library | Thousands of PS5 Titles | Includes major hits like God of War Ragnarök, Cyberpunk 2077, Astro Bot, and Final Fantasy VII Rebirth, both from the PS Plus catalog and select titles from your digital library. |
| Connectivity | High-Speed Wi-Fi | Requires a high-speed connection for optimal performance and low latency. |
Cloud Streaming vs. Remote Play
While Remote Play (streaming from your own PS5) still works, and crucially does not require a PS Plus subscription, Cloud Streaming offers superior flexibility and convenience.
| Aspect | Remote Play (Original Feature) | Cloud Streaming (New Feature) |
| PS5 Connection | Required. PS5 must be on or in Rest Mode. | Not Required. Streams from the cloud server. |
| Subscription | None (only needed for online play). | PS Plus Premium is mandatory. |
| Location | Best when on the same home Wi-Fi network. | Works anywhere with high-speed Wi-Fi. |
This update officially positions the Portal as a direct competitor in the growing handheld cloud gaming space. It’s the moment the device has been building toward, finally delivering on the promise of untethered PlayStation gaming on a dedicated handheld.
