How to access the PS5's and PS5 Pro's secret web browser

How To
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You can surf the web on a PS5 and PS5 Pro, but it's limited

Sony PS5 on a table next to a TV
(Image credit: Future)

The PS5 is almost four years old but it still doesn't offer the ability to fully browse the internet. Even the uber-pricy PS5 Pro lacks this relatively basic feature. Of course, this isn't unreasonable considering they are gaming machines first and foremost, but if you really want to surf the net on your PlayStation console, we've got all the details you need on how to access the PS5's secret web browser.

It's important to note that the PS5's web browser is not fully functional. It’s not a feature that Sony intended users to access, so it does have pretty heavy restrictions alongside several quirks and limitations. The browser is perfectly adequate at loading text-based sites but struggles with videos and audio.

How to access PS5’s and PS5 Pro's secret web browser 

  1. Open Settings
  2. Select User and Accounts
  3. Select YouTube from the Linked Services tab
  4. Click Link
  5. Click Use Browser
  6. Click Terms
  7. Scroll down and click Google
  8. Search via Google
  9. Browse the internet

Read on to see detailed instructions for each step.

1. Open Settings

(Image: © Future/Sony)

From your PS5 or PS5 Pro home screen, select the Settings menu. Just look for the small cog icon located in the top right corner.

2. Select User and Accounts

(Image: © Future/Sony)

From the Settings menu, select User and Accounts. The icon will be your chosen PSN profile picture.

3. Select YouTube from Linked Services tab

(Image: © Future/Sony)

Scroll down to Linked Services, and select YouTube. If you have already linked a YouTube account to your PS5 or PS5 Pro console you must first unlink it to access the hidden web browser.

4. Click Link

(Image: © Future/Sony)

On the next screen, click the Link button.

5. Click Use Browser

(Image: © Future/Sony)

Ignore the QR code on the following page, and instead select Use Browser.

6. Click Terms

(Image: © Future/Sony)

Use the on-screen cursor to select Terms on the Google sign-in page.

7. Scroll down and click Google

(Image: © Future/Sony)

Scroll down to the very bottom of the page, and select Google in the footer.

8. Search via Google

(Image: © Future/Sony)

You now have access to Google Search.

9. Browse the internet

(Image: © Future/Sony)

Browse the internet as you wish. You can even visit Tom’s Guide!

And that’s how you access the PS5’s and PS5 Pro's secret web browser. As noted, it’s fairly limited in terms of features and struggles with video. It’s more of a novelty than a recommended way to surf the internet. Nevertheless, it can be useful in a pinch.

Does PS5 have a web browser app?

There is currently no PS5 web browser application. While the PS3 and PS4 before it offered a dedicated “Internet Browser” feature, this was removed for the PS5, and even more than four years after launch (and many online requests since then), this additional has not been added to the latest PS5 console. A web browser app also wasn’t added to the PS5 Pro either.

As of now, if you want to surf the web on your PS5 console, the above method is your only available option. Unfortunately, that means following the steps every single time you want to access the browser and also tolerating its numerous quirks and limitations. Hopefully, Sony will decide to patch in an officially supported PS5 browser in the future.

For other useful PS5 tips and tricks check out our guides on how to turn off the PS5 DualSense microphone and how to use Discord on PS5. We’ve also got walkthroughs on how to remove a PS5 cover to clean out the dust and add one of the best PS5 internal SSDs and how to reset a PS5 controller.

Rory Mellon
Rory Mellon
Senior Entertainment Editor (UK)

Rory is a Senior Entertainment Editor at Tom’s Guide based in the UK. He covers a wide range of topics but with a particular focus on gaming and streaming. When he’s not reviewing the latest games, searching for hidden gems on Netflix, or writing hot takes on new gaming hardware, TV shows and movies, he can be found attending music festivals and getting far too emotionally invested in his favorite football team.