Katarzyna Petru
The idea for this guide comes from the editorial team at FlatpanelsHD, which decided to check if it is possible to play games from PS5 and PS4 on other devices – without having to sit by the console. It turns out that it is! Thanks to applications like PS Remote Play and PXPlay, we can launch our PlayStation titles on Apple TV, Google TV, or even the iPad.
Official option: PS Remote Play
Sony has its own solution – PS Remote Play – which allows you to stream video from the console to other devices over a local network or the internet. All you need is a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 console, installed games, and a paired controller.
The app is available on Android TV (Google TV) and iOS, but – strangely – it is not available on tvOS, so Apple TV users have been left out.
The operation is simple: the screen from the console is a “mirror image” on the device with the app. This means you can play your games even if the main TV is occupied – all you need is a stable Wi-Fi or wired network connection.
Better Alternative: PXPlay
During tests, the FlatpanelsHD editorial team discovered a more interesting alternative – PXPlay (previously known as PSPlay or MirrorPlay). This is an application that uses the official Sony Remote Play protocol but offers more features and also works on Apple TV.
On Apple TV, the application is free – you can purchase a premium version for 7 USD / 7 EUR to unlock upscaling to 1440p and 4K, spatial audio with AirPods, HDR upscaling, and several additional features (available only on Apple devices).
On Android / Google TV, the application costs 7 USD / 7 EUR and must be purchased to use it at all.
The biggest plus? PXPlay allows you to use any controller that connects via Bluetooth – so you can play PS5 games even with an Xbox or Nintendo Wii controller.
How to Launch PXPlay Step by Step
Download the PXPlay app from the App Store (Apple TV) or Google Play (Google TV).
Pair the controller – this can be a DualSense, Xbox Controller, or another compatible Bluetooth pad.
On the PS4/PS5 console, go to:
Settings → System → Remote Play → Enable.
Select the option “Pair Device” to display a code on the console screen.
In the PXPlay app, select “Register New Console”, enter the code and your PSN login.
In the main menu of PXPlay, select:
Local connect – if you are at home,
Remote connect – if you are playing online.
After a moment, the PlayStation interface will appear on the Apple TV or Google TV screen. You can launch games, browse menus, and use the console just like on the main screen.
Gameplay Experiences and Tips
FlatpanelsHD emphasizes that latencies are minimal – imperceptible in most games. You can comfortably play titles such as Astro’s Playroom or GTA V, although it is not a solution for professional online gamers.
Gaming Experiences and Tips
FlatpanelsHD emphasizes that delays are minimal – mostly unnoticeable in most games. You can comfortably play titles such as Astro’s Playroom and GTA V, although this is not a solution for professional online gamers.
A few practical tips:
Streaming works up to 1080p (officially), but PXPlay can scale the image to 1440p and 4K (on Apple devices).
The app supports up to 60 fps, not 120 Hz. Therefore, it's worth setting the TV to 60 Hz if it defaults to 50 Hz mode.
The best results are achieved with a wired Ethernet connection, both for the console and the receiver.
PXPlay can wake the console from sleep mode and put it back to sleep after the game ends.
You can switch PSN users, but remote play works only in one location at a time.
Additional features
Vibration and button mapping work well – also on Xbox controllers.
DualSense touchpad and motion sensors are supported correctly (e.g., in Astro).
Spatial audio with AirPods is available on iPhone and iPad, but not on Apple TV (and it’s not true Dolby Atmos, rather a head-tracking effect).
PXPlay has advanced performance settings, but the default configuration works well in most cases.
Summary
Despite a few limitations, PXPlay is currently the best way to play PS5 or PS4 games on Apple TV and Google TV. It runs smoothly, allows you to use any controller, and offers better visuals than Sony's official app.
So if you dream of having PlayStation in every room without moving the console – this app is just for you.
Source: flatpanelshd
