Sony’s PS5 UI redesign is getting a nostalgic makeover, according to beta testers who have spotted streamlined menus and PS4-inspired navigation in the company’s internal testing. The UI overhaul introduces a cleaner menu bar at the top of the home screen with separated tabs for the PS Store and PS Plus, controlled via the DualSense controller’s L1 and R1 buttons. This represents a significant departure from the current PS5 interface, which many players have criticized for being cluttered and difficult to navigate.
Key Takeaways
- Sony is testing a PS5 UI redesign with PS4-style elements in its beta program, featuring streamlined menus and tab-based navigation.
- Beta testers describe the new PS5 UI redesign as “neater” and “more convenient” than the current interface.
- The PS5 UI redesign is separate from official updates; Sony may discard the beta version entirely.
- Sony officially returned classic console designs to PS5 in April 2025, allowing players to customize home screens with PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS4 aesthetics.
- The Welcome Hub, introduced in September 2024, lets players customize widgets and backgrounds without full theme support.
What the PS5 UI redesign beta actually changes
The PS5 UI redesign being tested moves away from the sprawling card-based layout that has dominated the current interface since launch. Instead, beta testers report a more organized approach with a horizontal menu bar separating different sections. Players switch between tabs using shoulder buttons rather than scrolling through multiple screens, a mechanic that echoes PS4’s simpler navigation structure. The tabs consolidate PS Store, PS Plus, and other services into distinct, organized sections rather than mixing them into a unified feed.
Beta feedback reveals a specific tension: while players appreciate the streamlined organization, some miss legacy features that Sony removed from PS5. One beta tester noted, “Where are themes and where is everything else? Like this is an option we used to have. So, people still do miss themes”. This gap between nostalgia and modern functionality suggests Sony faces a balancing act—simplifying navigation without alienating players who valued the customization options available on PS4.
How the PS5 UI redesign compares to official PS5 updates
It is crucial to distinguish between what Sony is testing in beta and what has already shipped. In April 2025, Sony officially introduced classic console designs for the PS5 home screen, allowing players to select visual themes mimicking the original PlayStation, PS2, PS3, and PS4. Players access these designs through Settings > Appearance and can switch between them freely. This official update directly addresses the nostalgia demand without overhauling the underlying interface structure.
The September 2024 Welcome Hub update offered another layer of customization, introducing a personalized space where players can add widgets for trophies, friend lists, and accessory battery levels. Users can also set custom backgrounds using their own screenshots from the Media Gallery. However, the Welcome Hub does not restore full theme support—it offers customization within a fixed framework rather than allowing players to completely reskin the interface as PS4 themes did. The beta PS5 UI redesign appears to take a different approach, restructuring the core navigation rather than layering customization on top of the existing design.
Why this beta matters—and why it might not ship
Sony’s decision to test a PS4-inspired PS5 UI redesign reflects persistent player frustration with the current interface. The company has spent years iterating on PS5’s menu system, and each update hints at the same underlying problem: the current design prioritizes content discovery at the expense of quick navigation. A streamlined menu bar with tab-based organization directly addresses this complaint.
However, beta testing does not guarantee a live rollout. Sony frequently tests multiple UI directions and discards changes that do not meet internal standards or player expectations. The company may refine this design further, merge elements into a future update, or abandon it entirely in favor of a different approach. Players should view this beta as a signal of Sony’s design priorities—acknowledging the value of simplicity—rather than a confirmed feature coming to all PS5 owners.
Is the PS5 UI redesign coming to all players?
Sony has not officially confirmed that the PS5 UI redesign tested in beta will roll out globally. The feature remains exclusive to select beta testers, and no public launch date has been announced. Sony typically phases major updates across regions, starting with select markets before expanding worldwide, as it did with the Welcome Hub in September 2024. If the company decides to ship this redesign, expect a similar rollout pattern—perhaps beginning in North America or Europe before reaching all PS5 owners.
In the meantime, the official classic console designs and Welcome Hub customization provide some of the visual and organizational improvements players have requested. These features are already live and free for all PS5 owners.
Should you expect this PS5 UI redesign soon?
There is no confirmed timeline for the PS5 UI redesign to reach production. Beta testing can last weeks or months, and Sony may iterate significantly based on feedback. The company’s recent April 2025 update suggests it is actively listening to player requests, but that does not mean every beta feature will ship. Check your PS5 beta program status through the Settings menu if you want to test new features early, but do not assume the current beta design represents the final version.
What features are missing from the PS5 UI redesign beta?
Beta testers have flagged the absence of full theme support in the tested interface, a feature that defined PS4 customization. While the official classic console designs offer visual variety, they do not provide the same level of personalization that dynamic themes once did. Sony has not indicated whether full theme support will return in the PS5 UI redesign or remain unavailable.
When did Sony last update the PS5 UI?
Sony released a major PS5 system software update on April 24, 2025, introducing Audio Focus—a feature that boosts specific in-game audio categories like dialogue, footsteps, or party chat—and officially restored classic console designs for the home screen. Before that, the September 2024 update brought the Welcome Hub and customizable widgets. These official updates represent Sony’s public commitment to improving the PS5 experience, while the beta UI redesign signals where the company may be heading next.
The PS5 UI redesign beta reveals Sony’s acknowledgment that the current interface has worn out its welcome. Whether the company ships this streamlined, tab-based approach or pursues a different direction, the message is clear: PlayStation is listening to years of player feedback about navigation clutter. The official classic designs and Welcome Hub prove Sony can deliver meaningful improvements within the current framework. If the beta redesign does ship, it could finally give PS5 owners the straightforward, efficient interface they have been asking for since launch.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: TechRadar
