Change your PS5 background from the home screen settings

To change your PS5 background, go to Settings on your home screen, then select Themes. From there, you can choose a new background image or theme. PS5 offers built-in themes that come with the console, and you can also download additional themes from the PlayStation Store at no cost.

The process takes about two minutes. Your new background appears immediately after you confirm your choice, and it stays in place until you change it again. You can switch backgrounds as often as you want without affecting your games, saves, or account settings.

If you want to use a custom image as your background instead of a preset theme, that option is not available on PS5. The console only supports the official themes provided by Sony or downloaded from the PlayStation Store. This is different from some other gaming systems that allow you to upload your own photos.

Key Takeaways

  • Access background and theme options by going to Settings, then Themes on your PS5 home screen.
  • Sony provides free built-in themes with your console, and additional themes are available to download from the PlayStation Store at no cost.
  • Your new background takes effect immediately and can be changed at any time without affecting your games or data.
  • PS5 does not support custom image uploads as backgrounds; you can only use official themes from Sony or the PlayStation Store.
  • Some themes are tied to specific games or franchises and may only appear in the store if you own that game or meet other conditions.

Where to find free themes in the PlayStation Store

Open the PlayStation Store from your home screen and search for "themes." You will see a dedicated themes section with options sorted by category. Many themes are marked as free, while others may have a price. Filter by free themes to see only the options that cost nothing.

Themes often rotate seasonally or tie to new game releases. If a theme you want is not showing up, it may be temporarily unavailable or region-specific. You can add free themes to your library directly from the store, and they will download automatically to your console.

What happens when you download a theme

When you download a theme from the PlayStation Store, it installs on your console and appears in your Themes list within Settings. You do not need to do anything else to activate it—just select it from the list and it becomes your background immediately.

Downloaded themes stay on your console even if they are removed from the PlayStation Store later. If you delete a theme, you can re-download it from your library in the PlayStation Store as long as you added it to your account before. Your download history is tied to your PSN account, not to the specific console.

Themes that come built into your PS5

Your PS5 includes several default themes from the moment you set it up. These include solid color backgrounds, abstract designs, and themes tied to PlayStation franchises. You do not need to download these—they are already on your console and ready to use.

Built-in themes cannot be deleted, so you always have at least a few options to choose from. If you want to return to a default theme after downloading others, you can switch back to any built-in option at any time.

How themes affect your console performance

Changing your background or theme does not slow down your PS5 or affect how your games run. The theme you choose is purely visual and does not use system resources in a way that impacts gaming performance, load times, or frame rates.

Some animated themes use slightly more power than static backgrounds, but the difference is not noticeable during normal use. If you are concerned about power consumption, a simple solid-color theme uses the least energy, but the practical difference is minimal.

Troubleshooting theme problems

If a theme you downloaded is not showing up in your Themes list, restart your console. Power it down completely, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. This usually fixes display issues with newly downloaded content.

If a theme fails to download from the PlayStation Store, check your internet connection and try again. If the same theme keeps failing, it may be temporarily unavailable in your region. Try downloading a different theme to confirm your store connection is working, then return to the one you want later.

If you cannot find the Themes option in Settings, make sure your PS5 system software is up to date. Go to Settings, then System, then System Software, and select System Software Update to check for updates. Outdated software can sometimes hide menu options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a photo from my phone as my PS5 background?

No. PS5 only supports official themes from Sony or the PlayStation Store. You cannot upload custom images or photos from your phone to use as a background. Your only options are the built-in themes and themes you download from the store.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to download free themes?

No. Free themes from the PlayStation Store can be downloaded without a PlayStation Plus subscription. You only need a free PSN account to access the store and add themes to your library.

What if I delete a theme by accident?

You can re-download any theme you previously added to your account from the PlayStation Store. Go to your library in the store, find the theme, and download it again. Your download history is saved to your PSN account.

Do themes change the layout of my home screen?

Themes only change the background image and colors. They do not rearrange your apps, games, or menu layout. Your home screen organization stays the same regardless of which theme you choose.