How to Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4/PS5

Playing PS4 or PS5 on your laptop screen is a great solution when you do not have a TV available. This guide explains the correct methods to use your laptop as a display for PlayStation.

The best method is to use Remote Play — the official Sony app that streams your PS4 or PS5 game to your laptop over your home network. This works on any Windows or Mac laptop without any special cables or hardware.

Important: Laptops Cannot Accept HDMI Input

Most laptops only have HDMI output — they can send video to a TV or monitor but cannot receive video from a console. Do not try to plug your PS4 HDMI into your laptop’s HDMI port as it will not work.

The two methods below are the correct ways to use your laptop screen with a PS4 or PS5.

Method 1) Use PS Remote Play (Recommended)

PS Remote Play is Sony’s official app that lets you stream your PS4 or PS5 to any Windows or Mac laptop over Wi-Fi or ethernet.

On your PS4 or PS5, go to Settings and enable Remote Play
Also enable Enable Turning on PS4 from Network and set to Stay Connected to Internet
Download the PS Remote Play app on your Windows or Mac laptop
Sign in with your PlayStation Network account
Connect your PS4 or PS5 controller to the laptop via USB or Bluetooth
Click Start in the app — your console will stream to your laptop screen

Remote Play works best on a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection or a wired ethernet connection. A slow network will cause lag and reduced video quality.

Method 2) Use a Video Capture Card

If you want a direct hardware connection without streaming, a video capture card allows your laptop to receive the PS4 HDMI signal and display it.

Purchase a video capture card (such as the Elgato HD60 S+ or AVerMedia Live Gamer Portable)
Connect the PS4 HDMI output to the capture card’s HDMI input
Connect the capture card to your laptop via USB
Install the capture card software on your laptop
Open the software and your PS4 output will appear on your laptop screen

A capture card gives you low-latency display and the ability to record or stream your gameplay. It is the preferred method for content creators.

Which Method is Better?

For casual gaming on your laptop screen, Remote Play is the easier and free option. For low latency display or game recording/streaming, a capture card is the better choice.

FAQ (Use Laptop as Monitor for PS4/PS5)

Can I connect PS4 to laptop via HDMI?

Not directly. Most laptop HDMI ports are output only. To connect via HDMI, you need a capture card with an HDMI input port connected to your laptop via USB.

Does PS Remote Play work without Wi-Fi?

Yes. You can use PS Remote Play over a wired ethernet connection for better stability, or connect directly via a LAN cable between your PS4 and laptop if both are connected to the same router.

Does PS5 Remote Play work on Mac?

Yes. PS Remote Play is available for both Windows and Mac. Download the Mac version from the PlayStation website and follow the same setup steps.

Final Words

PS Remote Play is the quickest and easiest way to use your laptop as a monitor for PS4 or PS5 with no extra hardware needed. For lower latency or game capture, invest in a capture card for the best experience.