PS5 update rolled out

Sony rolled out PlayStation 5 system software version 26.03-13.20.00 on Thursday, April 23, adding new message-reaction emojis and interface tweaks. (playstation.com) Sony’s official release notes for version 26.03-13.20.00 list two changes: more emojis for message reactions, and “improved” messages and usability on some screens. The company posted the update on its PS5 system software information page on April 23. (playstation.com) The update is a standard system software patch, the layer of operating code that runs the console’s menus, messaging, downloads, and background features. Sony says PS5 owners can install updates automatically or check manually through the console’s settings menu, and it also provides a Safe Mode reinstall option if an update fails. (playstation.com (playstation.com)) This patch follows a more feature-heavy PS5 update cycle over the past year. Sony’s April 2025 system update added Audio Focus and the return of classic console user interface customizations, while version 26.02-13.00.00 later enhanced PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution on PS5 Pro. (blog.playstation.com) (playstation.com) The timing also overlaps with Sony’s latest push for *Saros*, Housemarque’s next PlayStation 5 release. PlayStation Blog posts published April 16 and April 23 said *Saros* launches April 30 on PS5 and PS5 Pro, with Sony detailing hardware features, gameplay modifiers, and accessibility options in the final week before release. (blog.playstation.com 1) (blog.playstation.com 2) Sony has not attached a major new headline feature to version 26.03-13.20.00, which usually signals a maintenance-style release rather than a broad redesign. Those smaller patches often target day-to-day functions like messaging, menu behavior, and minor quality-of-life fixes. (playstation.com 1) (playstation.com 2) PlayStation’s service-status page showed the network operating normally as the update went live, reducing the odds that download or sign-in problems were tied to a wider outage. Sony’s support pages also say consoles left offline for long periods may need a manual firmware update instead of the standard over-the-air install. (status.playstation.com) (playstation.com) For most PS5 owners, the practical change on April 23 is simple: a small system update arrived ahead of a major first-party game launch, and Sony’s own notes say it mainly touches reactions, messages, and screen usability. (playstation.com) (blog.playstation.com)