PS5 Update Adds Read Receipts and New Friends Activity Shortcuts

Sony has rolled out a brand-new PlayStation 5 system software update, marking the first major firmware release of 2026. The update introduces a new messaging feature that lets players enable read receipts, along with quality-of-life improvements to the Friends Activity hub and general system performance upgrades.

With rumors suggesting the PS6 may be delayed, continued updates like this signal that Sony plans to keep expanding and supporting the PS5 ecosystem for the foreseeable future.

💬 New Read Receipts for PS5 Messages

One of the headline additions in this update is the ability to enable read receipts for messages. This feature allows other players to see when you’ve read their messages, bringing PS5 messaging closer to modern chat app functionality.

Key details about read receipts include:

Players can choose to turn the feature on or off
Friends will be able to see when a message has been read
The feature applies to both PS5 and the PlayStation App
The rollout is gradual, so not all users will see it immediately

This gives players more control over communication transparency, while also introducing a new social dynamic to PlayStation messaging.

🎮 Faster Access to Friends’ Games

The update also improves how players interact with their friends’ activity. PS5 users can now jump directly from the Friends Activity widget in the Welcome Hub straight into the games their friends are playing.

This enhancement makes it easier to:

Join friends more quickly
Discover what games your friends are currently playing
Reduce navigation steps when launching multiplayer sessions

It’s a small change that streamlines social gaming and makes jumping into shared experiences faster and more intuitive.

⚙️ System Performance and Stability Improvements

As with most firmware updates, Sony has included system-level enhancements aimed at improving overall performance and stability.

These upgrades include:

General system software stability improvements
Enhanced usability on select system screens
Messaging performance and interface refinements

While these changes may not be flashy, they contribute to a smoother and more reliable day-to-day PS5 experience.

🛠️ How to Enable Read Receipts

If the feature is available on your console, you can enable read receipts by following these steps:

Go to Settings
Select Users and Accounts
Open Privacy
Choose View and Customise Your Privacy Settings
Under Communication and multiplayer, set Show read receipts to Allow

If you don’t see the option yet, Sony has confirmed that the feature is being rolled out in phases, so it may appear in a future update.

🔮 What This Means for the PS5’s Future

With reports suggesting the PlayStation 6 could be delayed beyond the typical console life cycle, updates like this highlight Sony’s continued commitment to improving the PS5 platform. Ongoing firmware enhancements help keep the console feeling modern while expanding social and usability features.

At the same time, PlayStation Plus subscribers are seeing a strong start to 2026, with new games added to the Extra and Premium catalogs, further reinforcing the PS5’s value as Sony continues to invest in its current-generation hardware.

📝 Final Thoughts

The latest PS5 update may not introduce massive gameplay features, but the addition of read receipts, improved Friends Activity shortcuts, and continued stability upgrades make for a meaningful quality-of-life update. These refinements help modernize communication, streamline social gaming, and ensure a smoother overall experience for PlayStation players.