Sony has announced that it is testing a beta of a new sharing feature for the PlayStation 5 (PS5). Unlike the existing function where players share media directly via the gaming console itself, this version enables them access to their saved screenshots or clips through smartphones.
According to the company, the new Share function is opt-in, therefore PS5 owners will have to activate it first. In addition, users are also required to link the console to the PlayStation app on mobile devices in order for this work. Once enabled, the feature will automatically upload media saved on the console to the cloud, which can be accessed via the PlayStation app on mobile devices.
A limited-release beta enabling PS5 players in Canada and Japan to share their captured screenshots and game clips through PlayStation App is starting to roll out today. For details, check out: https://t.co/afVHXLbJsZ pic.twitter.com/WMVWqHP1GY
— PlayStation Canada (@PlayStationCA) October 18, 2021
There’s one minor caveat though, using the feature will require the console to be left in Rest Mode and have the “Stay Connected to the Internet” setting activated. This is because Sony says that screenshots and clips stored online are only accessible for 14 days before they are taken down – granting you enough time to download to your smartphone or share them to social media. Of course, given that the media files are kept on your PS5, you can always have the console reupload them to the cloud again if you wish to access them again after the period expires.
The beta test for this new Share function is currently available to users in Japan and Canada for now, and it is not known if it will see a release to other regions in the near future. Sony also noted the feature “may not make it into the final version or may see significant changes.”
(Source: Sony PlayStation [Twitter])
