- Before you start: what Discord on PS5 needs
- Linking your PlayStation Network account to Discord
- Joining a Discord voice channel from the PS5 Control Center
- Sending a Discord call to your PS5 from your phone
- Moving a Discord call to PS5 from a computer
- What you can do in Discord voice chat on PS5
- Discord on PS5 limits people don't expect
- Showing your PS5 game as your Discord status
- If Discord voice won't transfer to your PS5
- Frequently asked questions
To use Discord on PS5, link your PlayStation Network account in Discord under User Settings and Connections, then open the Game Base in the Control Center, pick the Discord tab and join a voice channel. The thing people trip over: there's no Discord app to download on the console, and you can't stay in a PlayStation Party at the same time.
If you run a gaming community, stream with friends or just want your Discord group in your ear while you play, the PS5 is a slightly odd case. There's no Discord app sitting on the console's home screen, so plenty of people search the PlayStation Store, find nothing and assume it can't be done.
It can. Discord's help pages describe it as voice chat you reach through a linked account, either from the console itself or by handing a call over from your phone or computer. I'll go through each route, what you can and can't do once you're in, and the fixes Discord suggests when it won't connect.
Before you start: what Discord on PS5 needs
Discord's PlayStation FAQ is clear that Discord isn't a standalone app on PlayStation. Everything rests on two things:
- Your PS5 on the latest system software. Discord says voice chat won't work without it.
- Your Discord account and your PlayStation Network account linked together.
The help page also mentions the Discord mobile app and the PlayStation mobile app as part of setup, so it's worth having both on your phone. If you linked the two accounts a long time ago, Discord says you'll need to re-link to switch on PS5 voice, unless you were part of the PS5 voice beta.
Linking your PlayStation Network account to Discord
You do this from Discord, not from the console:
- Open Discord and go to User Settings, then Connections.
- Tap or click the PlayStation Network icon. A browser window opens.
- Sign in to your PSN account and authorise the connection.
- Wait for the confirmation message that says your PSN account is connected.
Once it's linked you'll see two toggles under the connection. One shows your PSN Online ID on your Discord profile so friends can find you. The other, Display PlayStation Network as your status, shows the game you're playing as your activity.
Joining a Discord voice channel from the PS5 Control Center
This is the route to use when you're already sitting on the sofa with the controller:
- Press the PlayStation button to bring up the Control Center.
- Open the Game Base.
- Select the Discord tab.
- Pick a voice channel in one of your servers, or a group message.
- Select Join.
That's it. You stay in the channel while you play, and your friends hear you through your headset.
Sending a Discord call to your PS5 from your phone
If you're already chatting on your phone when you sit down to play, you don't need to hang up and rejoin. Discord lets you move the call across:
- Open the voice channel in the Discord mobile app.
- Swipe up to see the audio controls.
- Choose Join on PlayStation.
- Select your PS5 and press Transfer Voice.
- On the console, press the PlayStation button. The voice chat card is waiting in the Control Center.
If you've never joined a call from your phone before, my guide to starting voice and video calls in the Discord mobile app covers the basics first.
Moving a Discord call to PS5 from a computer
The desktop app and the browser version work the same way:
- Join a voice channel on your computer.
- In the voice channel view, select the three dots, or right-click the channel name.
- Select Transfer to PlayStation.
- Choose your PS5 and press Transfer Voice.
What you can do in Discord voice chat on PS5
Once the call is on the console, Discord's help says the voice chat card in the Control Center lets you:
- See who's in the channel.
- Manage your own audio for the call.
- See other people's PSN accounts, if they've linked them.
- Report a participant.
That report option matters if you run a public server. If someone in voice is abusive, report it to the platform and, if you're in danger, contact the police.
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Discord on PS5 limits people don't expect
| Question | What Discord's help says |
|---|---|
| Is there a Discord app in the PlayStation Store? | No, it isn't a standalone app on PlayStation |
| Can I stay in a PlayStation Party at the same time? | No, not while in a transferred Discord voice chat |
| Does it work on PS4? | PS4 can show your PSN status, but voice transfer is PS5 only |
| Can a child account use it? | Yes, controlled by the Communication and User-Generated Content parental setting |
| Do Discord's rules still apply? | Yes, its policies and safety standards apply on PS5 too |
The party point catches a lot of people. Pick one: a PlayStation Party or a Discord voice chat, not both.
Showing your PS5 game as your Discord status
If you build a community around one game, it's handy for members to see what you're playing. When the status doesn't show, Discord points to PlayStation's privacy settings. On PS5, go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Privacy, and set who can see your online status and what you're currently playing to Anyone. Your PSN status also needs to be Online rather than Appear Offline. Then refresh Discord.
One more catch: Discord says activity on your computer comes first. If you're streaming, playing Spotify or running a game with Rich Presence on your PC, that can hide the PSN status.
If Discord voice won't transfer to your PS5
Work through these in order before you give up:
- Update your PS5 to the latest system software.
- Reset the connection: remove PlayStation from Connections in Discord, then link it again.
- Check whether you linked the accounts before PS5 voice existed. If so, re-link.
- For audio trouble after the transfer, Discord points to PlayStation's own voice chat help.
- If none of that works, contact Discord support with a screenshot of the error.
If the channel keeps hanging on a connecting message on your computer before you even transfer it, my explainer on what RTC Connecting means in Discord walks through the usual causes.
And if you still need a server to talk in, here's how to join a Discord server with an invite link.
Frequently asked questions
Can you download Discord on PS5?
No. Discord's help says it isn't a standalone app on PlayStation. You link your PSN account to Discord and then join voice through the Game Base in the Control Center or transfer a call from your phone or computer.
How do I join a Discord call on PS5?
Open the Control Center, go to the Game Base, select the Discord tab, pick a voice channel and select Join. Your accounts need to be linked first.
Can I be in a PlayStation Party and Discord at the same time?
No. Discord says you can't stay in a PlayStation Party while you're in a transferred Discord voice chat.
Does Discord voice work on PS4?
No. PS4 users can show their PSN status on Discord, but voice transfer only works on PS5.
Why won't Discord transfer to my PS5?
Update the console, then remove and re-link your PSN connection in Discord. If you linked a long time ago, re-linking is required. If it still fails, contact Discord support with a screenshot of the error.
