PS5 System Software Update 21.02-04.51.00 - March 8th 2022

There’s a new PS5 system software update that’s been pushed out today, 21.02-04.51.00.

It’s been a couple of months since the last PS5 system software update. Today, Sony released the 21.02-04.51.00 update. As expected, there’s nothing major included with the latest release.

The March 8th, 2022 update is 914MB, but this can vary slightly. It shouldn’t be larger than 1GB. When updating the PlayStation 5, here’s what’s shown on the update page:

This system software update improves system performance.

If there’s any other changes that weren’t mentioned by Sony but were included, we’ll update this post. Usually, Reddit users manage to find small changes in a system software update.

On the PS5 subreddit, some users were asking if this is a public release of the recent beta, which it isn’t. However, the next firmware update, version 3.0-05.00.00, will include a handful of new features.

In the new firmware, voice chats will be renamed to parties, it’ll be easier to access friends, parties, and messages, as well as changes to trophies, accessibility options, and more.

Here’s the full list of changes coming in the 3.0-05.00.00 PS5 system software update:

- In (Game Base), we’ve updated the following:
  - Voice chats are now called parties.
  - For easier access, we’ve divided Game Base into three tabs: [Friends], [Parties] and [Messages].
  - Now when you start a party, you can select either an open party or a closed party.
    - An open party lets your friends join without an invite. Friends of party members can also join.
    - A closed party is only for players you invite.
- From the Game Base control menu and cards, you can now do the following:
  - View all your friends under the [Friends] tab in the control menu.
  - Start Share Play directly from the voice chat card. You no longer need to start Share Screen to use Share Play.
  - Add a player to a group, or create a new group directly from the messages card. You can also send video clips, images, quick messages, and view a group’s shared media from this card.
  - Now when someone in a party is sharing their screen, you’ll see the (c )) on air icon. You can check this in the [Parties] tab.
  - The player search feature and friend requests are now under the [Friends] tab.
  - We’ve made it easier to decline friend requests by adding a [Decline] button to your friend request list.

In ® (Accessibility), we’ve updated the following:
- We’ve updated the following for the screen reader:
- The screen reader is now supported in six additional languages: Russian, Arabic, Dutch, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, and Korean.
  - The screen reader can now read aloud notifications.
  - You can now enable mono audio for headphones, so that the same audio is played from both the left and right headphones.
  - While your headphones are connected, go to [Settings] > [Sound] > [Audio Output], and then turn on [Mono Audio for Headphones]. Alternatively, go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Display and Sound], and then turn on [Mono Audio for Headphones].
- You can now show a check mark on enabled settings so you can easily see that they’re turned on. • Go to [Settings] > [Accessibility] > [Display and Sound], and then turn on [Show Check Mark on Enabled Settings].
In (Trophies), we’ve updated the following:
- The visual design of trophy cards & the trophy list has been updated.
- You can now see suggestions for which trophies to earn on the trophy tracker when you’re playing a game.
For the features available from the Create menu, we’ve updated the following:
- You can now start Share Screen and stream your gameplay to an open party.
We’ve added a new feature: Voice Command (Preview). Voice Command (Preview) understands speech commands for finding and opening games and apps, as well as controlling media playback.
- To get started, go to [Settings] > [Voice Command], and turn on [Enable Voice Command (Preview)]. Then, call out “Hey, PlayStation!” and ask your PS5 to do something.
- You can use this feature to help you find and open games and apps, control your media without even touching a button, and much more. • Currently, Voice Command (Preview) is only available in English for players with PSN accounts in the US & UK.
We’ve added Ukrainian language support.
We made the following improvement in game library:
- Under the [Your Collection] tab, you can now filter your games by genre to find the games you want to play more quickly.
We’ve pinned PlayStation Plus to the left edge of the games home screen.
- You can now redeem monthly games more quickly.
- Get easier access to the PS Plus game collections from home screen.
We’ve added a button guide to show you how to reload and zoom while using the Internet browser.
If you want to report something that someone in a party said, there are now visual indicators for you to identify who was speaking. This will help PlayStation Safety take appropriate action based on your report.
We’ve made the console safer for child accounts:
- When viewing a purchased or installed game they’re restricted from playing, the background image of the game is hidden.
- Activity cards, such as those displayed in the control center or game hub, won’t be displayed for age-restricted games.
Now you can keep the games or apps you choose on your home screen.
- When focused on a game or app, press the options button to open the options menu, and select [Keep in Home]. The games and apps you choose to keep will stay on your home screen.
- You can keep a maximum of 5 games and apps on each home screen
- You can now have three more games and apps appearing on your home screen.
We now support more emojis.
We changed the keyboard layout for Polish.
We’ve updated the DualSense wireless controller device software to improve stability.