Sony rolled out a new PS5 system software update on September 16. Version 26.06-14.00.00 brings a fresh widget to the Welcome Hub that shows you which games your region is actually playing right now, plus a few smaller quality-of-life changes. The update went live first in the US and Canada and is rolling out gradually across the rest of the world, so if you don’t see it yet, it should reach your console soon.
The features arriving now went through a beta test period back in August, so this is the public release of things testers have already had their hands on. To use them, your console needs to be connected to the internet and updated to version 26.06-14.00.00.
Community Activity: a look at what people are playing
The headline addition is the Community Activity widget on the Welcome Hub. It has two views you can switch between:
- Trending Now – ten multiplayer games or multiplayer modes that are surging in popularity. Sony pitches it as a place to spot new releases or titles that just got a big content update.
- Top 10 – the ten most popular games of the past week for your country or region, meant to show you where the big player communities are.
At the time of writing, the weekly PS5 chart in the US was topped by Fortnite, Minecraft and Grand Theft Auto 5, while titles like NHL 27 and Teardown showed up among the trending games. If a widget-heavy Welcome Hub is new territory for you, our walkthrough of the PS5 first setup covers the basics of getting the console arranged the way you want it.
You can finally see who’s talking in voice chat
Voice chat gets a speaker indicator. Open the voice chat card in the control center, go to More > Display Who’s Speaking and switch on Display Names – the PSN username of whoever is currently speaking then appears on screen. You can also pick where the indicator sits using the Position option, which is handy if the default spot covers something important in your game.
Enhanced PSSR is now on by default on PS5 Pro
One change is exclusive to PS5 Pro owners. The Enhance PSSR Image Quality setting is now enabled automatically – it switches on the moment you install the system software update. With it active, enhanced PSSR is also used in games that only support the previous version of PlayStation’s upscaling technology, which according to Sony should mean a sharper, cleaner image.
If you’d rather not have it, you can turn it off in Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enhance PSSR Image Quality. Again, this option only exists on PS5 Pro. Deciding between platforms in the first place? We’ve compared the options in PS5 or Xbox Series X.
A Bluetooth kill switch – but only for esports venues
On PS5 and PS5 Pro consoles in certain countries and regions, Sony added a Turn Off Bluetooth function under Settings > Accessories > General > Advanced Settings. Be aware of the side effects: with Bluetooth off, your console will not enter rest mode and HDMI Device Link stops working. Sony is explicit that the feature exists for managing controller connections at esports venues and similar locations, and says you shouldn’t use it for anything else. The update also includes the usual system software performance and stability improvements.
Context around the update
The firmware landed during a busy stretch for PlayStation owners. Marvel’s Wolverine, the latest game from Insomniac Games, arrived in stores just a day earlier, and reception to the PS5 exclusive has been mixed, with criticism aimed at the depth of its combat and its navigation mechanics. Insomniac said it will stay receptive to player feedback, though what post-launch changes are planned is still unclear. We’ve written separately about the game’s slow-motion option.
Sony has also been dealing with pushback over its ongoing move toward digital exclusivity. Some players protested the direction, and PlayStation responded with an email stating that all digital games on its platform are a license that does not grant users individual ownership of a game.
Where to go next
Earlier updates were often much quieter: the PS5 system update from late July 2026 only mentioned improved messages and usability on some screens, with Sony offering no further detail. For more from the platform, browse our PlayStation news, and if you don’t have Sony’s subscription service yet, you’ll find it on the official PlayStation Plus page.
FAQ
It’s PS5 system software version 26.06-14.00.00, released on September 16. You need an internet connection and the update installed to use the new features.
The update launched in the US and Canada first and is rolling out gradually worldwide, so it may not have reached your console yet.
Yes. Go to Settings > Screen and Video > Video Output > Enhance PSSR Image Quality and switch it off. The setting only exists on PS5 Pro.
Open the voice chat card in the control center, select More > Display Who’s Speaking and turn on Display Names. The Position option lets you move the indicator on screen.
Only at esports venues or similar locations, as Sony recommends. With Bluetooth off, the console won’t enter rest mode and HDMI Device Link won’t work.