Play PS5 games on iPad
An iPad controls a remote PlayStation 5 from Safari, without installing anything or using the App Store. Its chip decodes the video in hardware, so the tablet stays cool, and the DualSense controller pairs over Bluetooth like a headset.
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Why the iPad needs so little setup
The iPad is the device that needs the least setup. Apple solved the most frustrating part of gaming on a tablet by integrating the DualSense controller into the system: it pairs in Bluetooth settings, and every button is recognised without configuration. Video is decoded by the chip, not the processor, so the battery lasts all evening and the chassis stays lukewarm.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| System | iPadOS 16 and later |
| Client | Safari, nothing to install |
| Decoding | Hardware decoding by the Apple chip, so the tablet stays cool |
| Controller | DualSense over Bluetooth, natively supported since iPadOS 14.5 |
| Screen | The tablet screen, or a USB-C monitor |
| Connection | 25 Mbit/s minimum, 40 comfortable |
Swipe the table to see all the columns.
Safari is the limit, not the tablet
The real limitation is Safari. Full-screen web pages on iPadOS do not always hide the status bar, and an incoming call or notification sends the page to the background, cutting the stream until you return. Add the page to the Home Screen so it opens in app mode: the issue almost entirely disappears.
Four steps, once and for all
- Pair the DualSense controller in Settings, Bluetooth, by holding PS and Create until it flashes
- Open ploud.cloud in Safari, then Share, Add to Home Screen
- Launch it from the added icon: the page opens without an address bar
- Turn on Do Not Disturb mode, since a notification interrupts the stream
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.
Nothing needs to be downloaded on iPad. Invitations go out in queue order.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need an app on iPad?
No. Safari is enough, and adding it to the Home Screen gives you an icon that opens the page full-screen, like an app.
Does the DualSense controller work on iPad?
Yes, natively since iPadOS 14.5. Pair it in Bluetooth settings by holding PS and Create until it flashes.
Is an entry-level iPad enough?
Yes. Video has been decoded in hardware across the range for several generations, so a basic iPad is more than enough. Your connection matters, not the chip.
Can you connect an iPad to a screen?
Yes, with a USB-C to HDMI adaptor. The picture is mirrored, which works for gaming, provided you enable Game mode on the destination screen.
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