Sony's PlayStation is one of the biggest console franchises of all time, and for good reason. The fact of the matter is that this console has progressed by leaps and bounds to become what is truly one of the most successful product offerings of all time, attracting a vast number of fans from all over the globe. And, why wouldn't that be the case? After all, a person just needs to take a look at the sheer level of exclusives, coupled with the amazing functionality and innovation present in every console, to understand why the PlayStation brand has enjoyed such rampant success for the past two decades in the console market.

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Such is the popularity of this gaming console that people from all over the world are trying to figure out the best course of action that can be taken to improve their overall gaming experience, and why not? The fact of the matter is that gaming is an arduous endeavor, and pretty much anyone would find it in their best interests to figure out the best course of action that can be taken to optimize the time they spend on their consoles.

In a bid to achieve the same, people have fished out and devised several hacks to improve the time they spend with their console. These hacks are so obtuse that even the most devout PlayStation fan might not know all about the 25 tricks shown here, which will go a long way in ensuring that the time players spend with the console will be quite worthwhile indeed.

Updated July 6, 2021 by Russ Boswell: Although the PS5 has dropped, there are still dedicated PS4 fanatics, with many of them using their console daily. Strangely enough, many of these same people may not be aware that there are some pretty great PS4 hacks out there that make the system even better. Some of these PS4 hacks and tricks involve changing settings to achieve better internet streaming, while others will help players navigate the console faster. There are even some PS4 hacks to help with the dreadful issue of "typing on a controller." To get a good grasp on some of the best PS4 hacks for 2021, this article has been updated with more information and photos, while also simultaneously being scrubbed for clarity, to make it even easier to sift through.

25 Jailbreak A PS4

A closeup shot of the PS4 console.

Let us state outright that in no way, shape, or form do we condone the act of piracy, something that is synonymous with the term jailbreaking.

However, some people simply want greater control over their console. So, if players want to be part of this elite group that can do amazing things with their PS4 then, by all means, jailbreaking the PS4 is a great choice to make their gaming dreams a reality.

24 Use The DualShock Controller On A PC

A hand holding a PS4 Dual Shock controller.

Since Microsoft is at the head of the most popular computer OS and also a leading video game console, it's evident that their controller would also be compatible on both platforms.

However, the PS4 DualShock is just as capable when it comes to PC gaming. It's actually quite simple to connect a DualShock controller to a PC — simply connect the controller through Bluetooth and use a program called DS4Windows to make it seem like the DualShock controller is actually an Xbox one.

23 Charge A DualShock With A Normal Phone Charger

PS4 And Dualshock Controller

This is a simple trick that might seem like a common thing for most, but the fact of the matter is that there are several people who were — and still are — completely unaware of this nifty little trick for months — if not years — after purchasing a PS4.

Basically, a normal phone charger can be used to charge a DualShock controller. Isn't that neat? Now, players don't need to keep the PS4 turned on for the sole purpose of charging their controller — all they need to is plug in a phone charger, and voila!

22 Dim The Controller's Light Bar To Save Battery

Blue Light on PS4 Dual Shock Controller

The battery of the DualShock 4 is pretty reliable, but the fact of the matter is that there are times when many would love it if the controller's battery didn't go down midway through a game, forcing them to sit even closer to the console and wrecking any comfort in the process.

So, in order to free players from this dilemma, it's highly recommended that they choose a better course of action and dim the controller's light bar itself to save up on quite a bit of battery.

21 Schedule Updates And Downloads To Cut Down On Time

Spiderman Screenshot from the PS4

The modern age of gaming is rife with high-quality games that promise an amazing experience from start to end... but that comes at a cost. Having to wait to download digital games or — even worse — updating existing ones is a pain that most people would prefer to avoid.

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However, what many don't know is that this issue can be mitigated — if not avoided entirely — with some ingeniousness built into the system. Savvy players can actually schedule updates and put the PS4 in rest mode to enjoy a seamless gaming experience, with none of the hassles.

20 Modify Controller Input For A Customised Gaming Experience

PS4 Controller Leaning On PS4

Most people tend to prefer the PC over console gaming due to the sheer level of control they have over their gaming experience. One such positive in this regard is the opportunity to map the controls as they see fit — something that console games have tried to emulate with varying degrees of success.

What's great is that the PS4 console itself has an option to remap your overall controller input. All players need to do is head over to the controller options in the console settings, where they'll find every possible tweak they need.

19 Use An External Hard Drive To Maximize Space For Installation

PS4 HDD Connected To Console

The PS4 comes in a 500GB and 1TB variant, both of which might not be more than enough to accommodate and install all the games they could possibly want. An ardent gamer who would want multiple games installed on their console might find it somewhat irritating when the alert for low space comes up.

So, instead of having to go through the headache of deleting any precious games, it's recommended to instead use an external hard drive to increase overall storage space. This will go a long way in ensuring that little to no problems come in the way of players having the perfect gaming experience.

PS$ God Of War Screenshot

Most modern TVs nowadays have a bevy of innovative features to enable a seamless experience and provide consumers with satisfaction on a regular basis. One such feature is the HDMI Device Link option, which is quite a nifty little feature.

Basically, by turning on a PS4, the device link will also turn on the TV and bring it over to the appropriate HDMI channel automatically. It saves the hassle of having to have the remote nearby to change to any appropriate HDMI channels should there be multiple devices hooked up to the same television.

17 Use A Screw To Take A Disc Out If It Can't Be Done Otherwise

Skyrim Disc Sticking Out Of PS4

Discs aren't foolproof and there may be times when players find themselves unable to retrieve their game disc from the disc drive of the PS4. This can happen if the power goes out, or if something internal malfunctions within the console. In these situations, players might panic at the idea that the game disc is stuck for good.

Thankfully, Sony thought this through and actually included a screw in the back that can be turned to manually use the disc drive. Just be wary -- to access it, some panels of the PS4 must be removed and the screw can be a bit flimsy.

16 Stockpile Free Games With A PS+ Subscription

Matterfal lPS4 Screenshot

The PS+ service is, thankfully, a very convenient service to have. The idea of having to pay to play online might turn off the majority of online gamers, but the perks of signing up for PlayStation's service are pretty great. One such perk is the free monthly games.

RELATED: The 10 Best PS4 Exclusive Games Of The Generation (According To Metacritic)

The best part is, players won't even need to "download the titles immediately" to own them forever. Instead, all they need to do is "buy" the game for free and keep it in their download queue. That's all that's needed to enable a streamlined — and pocket-friendly — gaming experience!

15 Use The Touchpad For Easier Typing

Lineup Of Dualshock Controllers

The touchpad was a promising addition to the PS4, but, unfortunately, it turned out to be quite a disappointment. This is mainly because of the fact that it was promised to enable a new degree of gameplay but wasn't really used all that properly.

However, that doesn't mean that this feature is a complete waste — in fact, one might argue that the mere fact that you can use the touchpad to make the arduous task of typing on the PS4 easier is good enough to have this feature integrated into the console.

14 Use A Wired Internet Connection With Your PS4 For An Optimal Gaming Experience

PS4 Uncharted 4 Screenshot

Ask any regular online player as to what's the biggest problem they face during their gaming experience, and chances are that latency issues are perhaps the first thing that comes to their mind.

However, there's a very simple solution to this pressing problem — a wired connection! After all, a wireless internet connection can face many hiccups that might affect internet speed. Therefore, a wired connection will go a long way in ensuring that little to no problems come in the way of people enjoying a seamless multiplayer experience.

13 Store Save Files On The Cloud

PS4 Console Controller Hanging Side

Most players may assume that a game's save file size isn't really much to worry about, but the fact of the matter is that there are certain games that can take substantial space with their save files if they happen to keep multiple files, a new save every time, or — quite simply — a save scummer.

So, to prevent the dedicated PlayStation storage space from becoming overflooded with these files, just select the option to store save files on the cloud itself. It will be quite helpful from both a storage and backup perspective.

12 Use A Coin Or Rubber Band To Wedge Buttons And Analog Sticks

PS4 Controller Rubberbands On It

Ask any hardcore gamer about the one thing in games they absolutely loathe, and chances are that the word "grinding" will pop up as one of their major gripes. Why wouldn't that be the case? After all, repetition can make anything stale over time, and the same rings true for video games!

However, fans have figured out great ways to get over this grinding hurdle through a few tricks of their own. These include pressing down on buttons by fixating objects like coins on them and wedging analog sticks in one direction with a rubber band.

11 Turn A PS4 Into A Portable Laptop

PS4 Modded Console Shell

There's a reason why the PS4 is termed as a home console — portability has never been Sony's strength. While the PSP was a roaring success, the same can't be said for the PS Vita. However, if a player is willing to invest some serious money, they can turn the PS4 into a portable laptop of sorts.

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Ed Zarick — a man who's also turned the Xbox One into a laptop — has done the same with the PlayStation 4. Calling it the Playbook 4, buying this will cost a whopping $1095 — a price that can go up to $1395 if players don't supply the console.

10 Manually Upgrade Your PS4 HDD

PS4 HardDrive Exposed

Some people loathe the limited space present in the hard drive of the PlayStation 4. It can honestly be a pain to get more space through external hard drives as some of them can be pretty expensive.

Anyone who doesn't mind following some online tutorials and opening up their console can actually take apart their PS4 and insert a custom HDD with additional space. If a player is really nitpicky about having space and performance for their games, they can also insert an SSD for improved loading times.

9 Use Remote Play For Greater Convenience

PS4 Remote Play On A Phone

If players have an excellent internet connection at home, they can make use of some of the cooler features available on the PS4, like Remote Play.

Remote Play is one of the greatest benefits available on the PS4. If for some reason players are not able to access their PS4, the PlayStation has a Remote Play feature that allows anyone to stream gameplay on their phone, tablet, laptop, PS Vita, or anything else along the same lines.

8 Use A PS Vita As A Spare DualShock Controller

PS Vita Infront Of PS4-

Speaking on the PS Vita, it must be said that most people tend to write it off as an abject failure, and it's understandable as to why one might think this to be the case. However, players shouldn't let this viewpoint cloud their judgment of this portable game console, because there's a lot more to this console that most don't know about.

One of the biggest benefits of the PS Vita is the fact that players can actually use the console as a spare DualShock controller if they're running short. It might take a bit of time to get used to this control scheme, but the end result is definitely worth it.

7 Voice Commands Are Actually Pretty Nifty

Black Gold PS4

It can be pretty irritating to type on a controller. Although the touchpad can be used to expedite this process, it's not the only shortcut — text-to-speech is also a viable course of action that can save a lot of time.

Of course, that's not the only way that one can use their voice — there are also a large number of voice commands, outside of speech-to-text, that can be used to control certain functions on the console.

6 Log In Without Notifying Anyone Else

PS4 Gameshock Tilted

Privacy is one of the most important aspects that is constantly being invaded in the digital age, time and time again. With some people preferring single-player gaming, the last thing they'd want is for other people to peek into what they're playing and doing.

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However, there's a quick workaround to avoid this. Players can go to their profile icon, select their online status, then choose to appear offline. If they don't want anyone to be notified from the get-go, it's possible to use the Options button on their account and select Log In With Online Status [Appear Offline].