PS5 accessibility settings: where they are and what they do

Set it up, step by step

1. From the home screen, go to Settings > Accessibility.
2. Screen Reader: select Screen Reader and turn on Enable Screen Reader; adjust Speech Speed, Voice Type and Voice Volume.
3. Zoom: go to Display and Sound > Zoom and turn on Enable Zoom. Press the PS button and square button together to zoom.
4. Display and text: in Display and Sound, choose from Invert Colours, Colour Correction, Text Size, Bold Text, High Contrast, Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings, Auto-Scroll Speed and Reduce Motion.
5. Captions: select Closed Captions and turn on Display Closed Captions; use Closed Captions Settings > Custom Caption Style to change their look.
6. Chat: select Chat Transcription and turn on Enable Chat Transcription, then set Language and Voice Type.
7. Buttons: select Controllers > Custom Button Assignments for DualSense Wireless Controller, choose a button and its new function, then select Apply.
8. Assist: select Controllers > Use Second Controller for Assistance and turn on Use Assist Controller.
9. Mono audio: go to Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Headphones > Mono Audio for Headphones.

Where it works

Screen Reader and zoom for low vision

The PS5 Screen Reader reads on-screen text aloud and gives spoken guidance for operating the console. PlayStation notes it is available only in certain languages and follows your console language. You can set Speech Speed, Voice Type and Voice Volume.

Zoom magnifies the screen. With Adjust Display Area to Movement turned on, the zoomed area follows your movement. Press the PS button and square button together to zoom in; press the circle button to end zoom. PlayStation lists situations where zoom is unavailable, and notes that during games or disc playback the display area will not move even with that option on.

While text is being read, press the PS button and triangle button together to pause or resume, or the PS button and R1 together to start reading from the beginning. If you change these settings often, add Accessibility to the control centre: PlayStation says you can then adjust the settings from there without going back to the home screen.

For more on vision settings across consoles, see our vision guide.

Display and Sound options in detail

The Display and Sound section holds most visual settings:

• Invert Colours and Colour Correction change the screen palette.
• Text Size and Bold Text make system text larger or heavier.
• High Contrast increases contrast between elements.
• Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings adds a tick to settings that are switched on, so you do not have to rely on colour.
• Auto-Scroll Speed sets how fast text scrolls horizontally.
• Reduce Motion cuts down movement in the interface.

In our editorial view, a sensible order is to start with Text Size and Bold Text, then try High Contrast, and only then the colour options, changing one thing at a time so you can tell what helped. Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings is worth turning on early, because it makes every other setting easier to read.

These affect the console's own screens. Games have their own options, which you can check on the game's PlayStation Store page where developers have added accessibility tags.

Captions, chat transcription and mono audio

Closed captions transcribe speech and audio cues in supported video. By default, the content decides how captions look. Turn on Custom Caption Style to set font size, colour, edges and opacity, and background and window colour and opacity.

Chat transcription converts other players' voices into text in parties and supported games, shown on the right of the voice chat card. Select Say something to type a message that is read aloud using the Voice Type you chose. You need to be in a voice chat to use it.

Mono Audio for Headphones plays the same audio in both ears. Unlike the other options it lives under Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Headphones. See our hearing guide for more.

DualSense button assignments and the assist controller

Custom Button Assignments for DualSense Wireless Controller lets you swap what each button does across the console. DualSense Edge, PS VR2 Sense and Access controllers have their own customisation pages.

Use Second Controller for Assistance lets two controllers operate the console as one. After turning it on, press the PS button on the main controller and choose a user, then press the PS button on the second controller and choose the same user. PlayStation lists a DualSense, DualSense Edge or supported third-party controller as the main controller. A DualSense Edge cannot be the assist controller, and haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, mic functions and custom button assignments are not available on the assist controller. For dedicated hardware, see our Access controller guide.

Haptics, vibration and checking games before you buy

Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation, under Settings > Accessibility > Controllers, makes the DualSense vibrate in distinct ways as you move a slider, tick a checkbox, receive a notification, select or cancel an item, or use the on-screen keyboard. PlayStation notes this only works while navigating the console, only on DualSense, DualSense Edge and PS VR2 Sense controllers, and only when a Vibration Intensity level is selected.

If vibration is uncomfortable, go to Settings > Accessories > Controller (General). There you can set Vibration Intensity and Trigger Effect Intensity, and a Press and Hold Delay for the PS button and create button, which can reduce accidental long presses.

Before buying a game, open it in PlayStation Store from your Games home, then press the triangle button or select the side panel to see the accessibility features the developer has listed. PlayStation's accessibility page explains that these tags can cover visual and audio settings, DualSense options, difficulty and chat transcription.

How the settings behave on PlayStation Portal

If you play through PlayStation Portal, PlayStation explains that PS5 accessibility settings only affect the streamed picture and controls, not the Portal's own interface. Text Size, Bold Text, High Contrast, Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings, Auto-Scroll Speed, Reduce Motion, Screen Reader, Chat Transcription and Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation all work through Remote Play.

Zoom, Invert Colours, Colour Correction and Custom Button Assignments are not reflected on Portal, although they still appear on a TV or monitor connected to the PS5 and on DualSense controllers connected to the console. If you rely on button remapping, test your setup on the Portal before a long session.

Tips that save time

• Add Accessibility to the control centre so you can change settings without leaving your game.
• Pause or resume the Screen Reader with the PS button + triangle; start reading from the beginning with PS button + R1.
• Turn on Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings so it is clearer which options are on.
• Zoom is unavailable during Remote Play, broadcasting, Share Screen or Share Play, 8K output on PS5 Pro and PlayStation VR.
• Check a game's accessibility features before buying: open it in PlayStation Store and press the triangle button or select the side panel.
• Turn on Haptic Feedback During Console Navigation under Controllers for vibration feedback as you move through menus (needs a Vibration Intensity level set).
• Change Vibration Intensity and Trigger Effect Intensity under Settings > Accessories > Controller (General).

Questions people ask

Where are the PS5 accessibility settings?

From the home screen go to Settings > Accessibility. Mono audio for headphones is separate, under Settings > Sound > Audio Output > Headphones.

Can I remap the DualSense buttons on PS5?

Yes. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Controllers > Custom Button Assignments for DualSense Wireless Controller.

Does the PS5 screen reader read games?

It reads the console's own text and menus. Whether it reads inside a game depends on the game, so check the game's accessibility features.

Do my PS5 accessibility settings work on PlayStation Portal?

Many do, including Screen Reader, Text Size and Chat Transcription. Zoom, Invert Colours, Colour Correction and Custom Button Assignments are not reflected on Portal.