A major PS5 system software update is now live, adding Discord voice chat support to the console's ecosystem. The update also brings VRR (variable refresh rate) support for 1440p resolution, as well as more UX and social features that Sony says should make it easier to "play and connect with friends".
The update rolling out today was originally launched in beta back in February, but it's now available to everyone, so you should be able to scan for an update via the settings menu (assuming you're not prompted to update the console when you power on). When you do, you'll notice that you can now join Discord chats via your PS5.
You'll need a Discord account, of course, and you will also need the Discord app on either a smartphone or a PC. If you've already linked your Discord account to your PS5, you'll need to link them again for the new functionality (unless you did this during the software update's beta period, of course). You can see a video tutorial on how to do this right here, courtesy of Sony.
Other new social and UX features include the ability to start or request screen share from a friend's profile, as well as a new Join Game icon in party chats and a new Friends Who Play tile. These features should make it easier to share your friends' games or to see what your buddies are playing out there in the world of PlayStation.
Variable refresh rate support has also been added for 1440p, which means that if you're playing on an HDMI 2.1 display at 1440p, you can take advantage of smoother visual performance. This feature will, of course, only work with games that support VRR, so make sure yours does before you try it out.
A host of other system software improvements have been made in this PS5 update, too. They include enhancements to your library, allowing you to sort and filter games when you're adding them to a list, as well as multiplayer preference presets to manage who's allowed to join you in online multiplayer games. Make sure to have a look at the full PS5 system software update notes to see what else is new.
