With the release of Sony’s PlayStation 5, the gaming world witnessed yet another leap in console technology. Coupled with this is the ever-increasing desire for seamless communication among gamers. Discord, the popular communication platform, hasn’t been natively integrated into PS5. However, there are workarounds to connect the two and enjoy your gaming sessions with uninterrupted communication. Let’s guide you through the process.
Preliminary Information
As of my last update in September 2021, the PS5 doesn’t have a dedicated Discord app. While there have been talks about potential collaborations between Discord and PlayStation, no native integration has been confirmed. The methods detailed below are workarounds that players have been using.
Method 1: Using the PS5’s Web Browser
- Access the Web Browser: Unlike the PS4, the PS5 doesn’t have a direct link to its web browser from the home screen. However, you can access it indirectly. Navigate to ‘Settings’ > ‘Users and Accounts’ > ‘Link with Other Services’, then choose any of the options (e.g., Twitter) to pull up the web browser.
- Go to Discord’s Web Version: Enter Discord’s official website and log in to access the web version of Discord.
- Use Discord: Although not as fluid as a dedicated app, this method will allow you to access text channels. Voice channels might not work as efficiently.
Method 2: Connecting Through Your Mobile Device
- Install Discord: If you haven’t already, download and install the Discord app on your smartphone or tablet.
- Join a Voice Channel: On your mobile device, open Discord and connect to a voice channel as you normally would.
- Connect Your Device to the PS5: Using a 3.5mm audio cable, connect your mobile device’s headphone jack (if it has one) to the PS5 controller’s headphone jack.
- Adjust Settings: On your PS5, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Sound’ > ‘Microphone’ and ensure your controller’s microphone is set as the input. This setup allows you to hear both game audio and Discord chats through your headset.
Method 3: Using a PC or Laptop
- Connect to Discord: On your PC or laptop, join a voice channel on Discord.
- Use an Audio Mixer or Software: Connect both your PS5 audio and PC audio to an external mixer. This will combine both audio sources, allowing you to listen to game audio and Discord chats simultaneously through your headphones.
- Alternative without Mixer: If you don’t have an audio mixer, you can use software solutions like VoiceMeeter (for Windows) to mix audio from your PC and PS5. However, this might require additional cables and possibly an audio interface.
Conclusion
While using Discord with PS5 isn’t as straightforward as we’d hope, the methods above ensure that gamers don’t have to compromise on communication while enjoying their favorite games. As the gaming and tech worlds continue to evolve, we remain hopeful for even more seamless integration between platforms. Until then, these workarounds ensure you stay connected with your gaming buddies on Discord while diving deep into the immersive world of PS5 games.