The PlayStation 5 delivers powerful performance and a sleek user interface, but its home screen can quickly become cluttered with news cards, widgets, and unused shortcuts.
Understanding the PS5 home screen layout is the first step in identifying what can be customized and what the system can control.
By unfollowing unnecessary games, editing widgets, managing the Control Center, and deleting unused titles, players can create a cleaner, distraction-free gaming environment.
The launch of PlayStation 5 created a wave of excitement in the console gaming industry. The platform is engineered for seamless, immersive, and lag-free gaming. With lightning-fast SSD speeds and fluid navigation, the PS5 ecosystem has introduced a major shift in console design.
Over time, the console’s home screen gets overcrowded with promotions, updates, installed games, system widgets, and stacked shortcuts. These end up being visual distractions to players, preventing them from launching their favorite titles.
As clutter increases, navigation slows, and the interface becomes less personal.
Though Sony does not allow full theme overhauls or manually rearranging the primary game bar, there are effective ways to clean the interface and make it more customized.
It is important to understand the PS5 interface's structure before making changes. The home screen consists of multiple layers, each serving a specific function.
At the center is the Games & Apps row. This automatically displays recently played titles. Sony has restricted manual re-ordering for this row. The titles appear in the same order as the games are played. Trying out more casual games would make the row more cluttered.
Next is the Explore or News section. This section displays updates, announcements, trailers, and promotional content related to games that you follow. The PS5's default system automatically adds the most-played games to the list. This creates a steady flow of notifications and cards that can overwhelm the interface.
The Welcome Hub widgets offer a glance at features such as storage capacity, online friends, recent trophies, controller battery levels, and PlayStation Store recommendations. Despite being helpful, too many active widgets can create unnecessary visual density.
Ultimately, the PS button opens the Control Center. This is a customizable quick-access menu for notifications, downloads, music, Game Base, and power settings. Though not as important as the main screen, it also gets cluttered when too many icons are enabled.
Once you understand these sections, it will be easier to determine where to focus when cleaning the interface.
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Identifying where the clutter started is the first step toward cleaning up the interface. The cleaning process needs to be methodical and strategic.
The Explore tab shows news and updates from games that you follow. Fixing this section involves unfollowing games that are no longer played.
Open a game’s News Card, access the Options, and select ‘Unfollow.’ This will reduce updates and news from games that were completed long ago.
The next section that requires attention is the Welcome Hub. Navigate to the tab and select ‘Edit Widgets.’ Remove the panels that are not checked frequently. Disable the Trophies section if that is not regularly tracked.
Keeping only the essential panels and getting rid of the rest can ensure smooth functioning without cluttering.
The Control Center can be opened by pressing the PS button and can also be cleared. Scroll down to Options for options to customize shortcuts.
Disable the shortcuts that are rarely used. Keep the shortcut section efficient and reduce unnecessary scrolling.
Games take up visual space, and deleting unused games not only leaves a clear interface but also frees up storage space.
Try not to launch titles casually. With the main bar reflecting recent activity, launching into more games could clutter it. A restricted approach to gaming can help keep the interface organized and clean.
These adjustments can create a more streamlined and responsive user experience on PlayStation 5.
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Decluttering the PS5 home screen seems unimportant. But these minor adjustments are meaningful, especially for gamers who use the console regularly. A simple, clean interface makes things clearer, improves navigation speed, and creates a more engaging entry point into your games.
Although customization options are limited on PlayStation 5 compared to earlier PS consoles, thoughtful management can help players keep the home screen organized and neat as they choose.
1. How do I clean up my PS5 home screen?
Ans: You can clean up your PS5 home screen by unfollowing games in the Explore section, editing Welcome Hub widgets, customizing the Control Center, and deleting unused games or apps.
2. Can I rearrange games on the PS5 home screen?
Ans: No, the PS5 automatically arranges the Games & Apps row based on recent activity. You cannot manually drag and reorder titles. Keeping a limited rotation of active games helps maintain a cleaner layout.
3. How do I remove news and promotional cards on PS5?
Ans: You cannot completely disable the Explore feed, but you can unfollow specific games to stop receiving their updates. This reduces the number of promotional cards shown on your home screen.
4. What are PS5 widgets, and can I remove them?
Ans: PS5 widgets appear in the Welcome Hub and display quick information such as storage, friends online, trophies, and the controller's battery level. You can edit and remove unnecessary widgets to simplify the layout.
5. Does deleting games remove them from the home screen?
Ans: Yes, deleting unused games removes them from your console storage and eventually from your recent activity row. Restarting the console can help refresh the interface if icons linger.