Play PS5 games on Android
On Android, two routes lead to the same console: Chrome, which needs no setup, and the free Moonlight app, which copes better with an unstable network. The choice depends on the stability of your connection, not the power of your phone.
Updated on
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | Android 10 and later |
| Client | Chrome, or the Moonlight app from the Play Store |
| Decoding | Hardware H.264 and HEVC decoding on any recent chip |
| Controller | DualSense over Bluetooth, or a clip-on USB-C controller |
| Screen | The phone screen, or a TV via USB-C to HDMI |
| Connection | 25 Mbit/s minimum, 40 comfortable |
Swipe the table to see all the columns.
Two clients, and when each one wins
Android is the only mainstream operating system with a real choice. Chrome opens the console in two seconds, with nothing to install, which makes it useful as a fallback. Moonlight, free on the Play Store, handles packet loss better and lets you set the codec and download speed manually, which compensates for an inconsistent connection when a browser gives up.
The software decoding trap
The range of Android devices is vast, and video decoders vary between manufacturers. On an older entry-level phone, HEVC decoding may fall back to software: the processor heats up, the battery drains, and the picture stutters. The symptom is clear, and so is the solution: force H.264 in Moonlight.
The steps
- Pair the DualSense controller over Bluetooth by holding the PS and Create buttons
- Open ploud.cloud in Chrome for an immediate test
- Install Moonlight from the Play Store if the picture stutters
- In Moonlight, force H.264 if the phone heats up
The game runs on a physical PlayStation 5 hosted in France and dedicated to you alone. You sign in to your PlayStation Network account and play your own titles: Ploud rents console time, never games. The millisecond breakdown is in cloud gaming latency, and the financial comparison is in rent or buy a PS5.
First measure how your connection performs, then reserve your spot.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to install an app on Android?
No, Chrome is enough. The free Moonlight app adds manual codec and download speed settings, which are useful on an inconsistent connection.
Which Android phone do you need?
Any phone released since 2020 decodes the stream in hardware. The connection is what matters, not the chip.
Can you play on an Android tablet?
Yes, in exactly the same way. A ten-inch tablet makes an open-world game far easier to read than it is on a phone.
Why does my phone heat up?
Because decoding has fallen back to software. Force H.264 in Moonlight's settings and the phone will stop heating up.
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