5 hidden PlayStation 4 features only power users know about

• The PlayStation 4 is an incredible console, but its countless menus can be confusing, especially when all you really want to do is get in there and start playing some games.
• Here are five hidden features that will make using your PS4 a heck of a lot easier.

1. Using the controller’s light bar for motion-controlled typing

Flicking the thumbstick left and right to type your login information is annoying and inefficient. But did you know you can use motion controls to make typing a lot easier?

When a keyboard pops up, click the right thumbstick down to enable motion controls.

Then just tilt the controller, using small motions, to hover the cursor over the letter you want to input.

Use this feature in combination with the other controller typing shortcuts – like using the square button as backspace – to maximize your typing efficiency.

2. Using your phone as a keyboard

If you find typing using motion controls annoying, try using your smartphone instead. First, download the PlayStation App on your phone.

Next, make sure your phone and PS4 are connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Then go to settings → PlayStation App connection settings → add device.

Open the PlayStation App, hit “connect to PS4,” and enter the code displayed on your TV.

3. Get more battery out of your controllers

You know that light bar on the back of every PlayStation 4 controller? Turns out, that little guy is a big drain on the battery. The good news is that you can dim this light, helping your controllers to last longer between charges.

First, hold down the PlayStation home button on the controller.

Then select “adjust sound and devices.”

Change the brightness of the DualShock 4 to dim.

4. Turn on your TV and PS4 simultaneously

Rather than turn on your TV and PS4 separately, you can do both with one press of a button. Go to settings and select “system.” Then check the box labeled “enable HDMI device link.”

5. Play your PS4 remotely with your PC or Mac

The PlayStation 4 allows for remote play, meaning you can stream your games wirelessly from the PS4 onto a computer somewhere else. To enable this feature, download this file onto your computer.

On your PS4, go to settings → remote play connection settings → enable remote play. While your PS4 is on, connect a controller to your computer using a USB cable and launch the remote play software.