PS5 Update Goes Live, Sneaks In Huge Quality-of-Life Changes

Sony has released a new update for PlayStation 5, bringing in loads of big quality of life changes.

PS5 system software update 26.01-12.60.00 is being rolled out this week, introducing various new features and upgrades in addition to the usual stability fixes.

The core of the update focuses on various social features available on the platform, many of which were already made available on the PS App last year but have now made their way over to console.

PS5 System Software Update 26.01-12.60.00 Patch Notes

Here are the patch notes for the PlayStation 5 system software update 26.01-12.60.00, available now to all console owners.

• You can now jump directly from the Friends Activity widget in your Welcome Hub to the games your friends are playing.
• You can now turn on read receipts to show other players when you've read their messages.
• To turn on your read receipts, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Privacy > View and Customize Your Privacy Settings. Under Communication and multiplayer, set Show read receipts to other players on PS5 and PlayStation App to Allow.
• This feature will be rolled out gradually, and some users will be able to use it when the system software update is released.
• We've improved the messages and usability on some screens.
• We've improved system software performance and stability.

Sony

Here's What the New PS5 Update Means For You

As you can see, read receipts is a big change which should allow you to see when other players are reading your messages when online. Big step towards improving on-console communication.

However, it’s available on an opt-in basis, so you’ll need to activate it when you get the update in order to use the feature.

To get the latest PS5 update, go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings and select Update System Software.

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Meanwhile, being able to jump directly into a game from the Friends Activity widget on the home screen should mean better connectivity when planning multiplayer games, especially as it should mean joining the server directly from the dashboard.

So, for example, if the Friend Activity widget shows three of your friends in a squad in Battlefield 6, it means you can directly join them from the dashboard.

Of course, the update also includes the old favourite, “improved usability” and “improved stability”, but it wouldn’t be a PlayStation system software update without those being featured in the patch notes.

Well, that's it for now, but stay tuned as I'm sure the next PS5 system software update is only a matter of weeks or months away.