Sony’s PS5 VR headset delivers a smooth, feature-rich console virtual reality gaming experience – and currently has no competition to speak of from Microsoft or Nintendo. But does PSVR 2 work on PC? Officially, no, but that might change in the future.
The PSVR 2 specs alone are worth getting excited about, improving on the original PlayStation VR headset in almost every way. Plus, the already impressive bunch of PSVR 2 games that have been released go a long way to show off the device’s enhanced visuals, tactile feedback, and snazzy eye-tracking – even if its pesky rear cable is still hanging around.
Ahead of the release of the Meta Quest 3 later this year, you’ll likely be weighing up the differences between PSVR 2 vs Meta Quest 2 before you decide which heavyweight VR device is worth buying. While the PSVR 2 price far exceeds the price of a Meta Quest 2, there are also some big differences between the two when it comes to features and platform compatibility.
Is PSVR 2 compatible with PC?
Let’s get the bad news out of the way quickly: PSVR 2 does not work on PC. You can hook up the headset to as snazzy a rig as you like, but you won’t be able to use it for VR gaming.
PSVR 2 is only compatible with PS5, which means you’ll not only need to shell out on the VR headset but also need to pick up Sony’s flagship console to use it as it isn’t even compatible with a PS4. Without a PS5, the PSVR 2 is a glorified sleep mask (and not a particularly comfortable one).
There is a modicum of hope that PSVR 2 could work with PCs in the future, however. If you plug it into a PC using a USB cable, Windows will detect it as a second monitor. It’s not much use, though, and with no support for the PSVR 2’s Sense controllers or eye-tracking, it amounts to little more than an HD monitor positioned inches away from your face.
Sony could conceivably add PC support down the line if it were inclined to pour months of resources into the project, but there’s nothing to suggest it ever will or has even considered doing so. As of yet, Sony hasn’t officially announced any plans to expand the device’s platform compatibility.
Unofficial support may come in the future, though. Third-party developers created systems to adapt the original PSVR for SteamVR compatibility. However, they weren’t perfect fits and never offered the same VR experience as using an officially developed SteamVR device.
Even so, PSVR 2’s limited compatibility might not be enough to put you off. Read our thoughts on whether PSVR 2 is worth it to decide if it’s right for you.
Last updated: September 8, 2023