Sony’s PS4 is no longer the star of the show, but it’s still a capable, flexible machine that can serve as a streaming box, media hub, lightweight PC, and more instead of gathering dust or being sold for pennies. With PS5 usage now surpassing PS4 for the first time, this is an ideal moment to repurpose your old console in smart, practical ways.
Give it a streaming second life
The PS4 supports a wide range of major streaming apps, including Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Twitch, and Spotify, all accessible from the TV & Video / Media area of the home screen. With an HDMI cable and a decent internet connection, it delivers smooth 1080p playback (up to 4K on PS4 Pro where supported) and solid audio, effectively matching many standalone streaming sticks while keeping all your services in one place.
Using the DualShock controller is usually enough, but adding a PlayStation media remote makes it feel closer to a traditional set‑top box, with quick buttons for volume and common apps. Parking the PS4 on a secondary TV—like in a guest room or kids’ space—turns it into a dedicated, low-cost entertainment station that’s easy for anyone to use.
Turn it into a Linux box (carefully)
It is possible to jailbreak certain PS4 firmware versions and install Linux distributions such as Ubuntu or Arch Linux, effectively turning the console into a modest desktop PC for web browsing and light productivity. This involves exploiting specific firmware (typically 9.0 or earlier), loading custom software via USB, and then booting into a full desktop environment with keyboard and mouse support.
However, jailbreaking removes official protections, can void any remaining warranty, may prevent access to PSN services, and carries a real risk of bricking the console if done incorrectly. Anyone attempting this route should treat it as an advanced hobby project, fully understand the legal and technical implications, and accept that the console is effectively leaving Sony’s supported ecosystem.
Use it as a Plex-powered media center
With the free Plex app on PS4, the console can act as a front-end for a media server running on your PC or NAS, neatly organizing your movies, TV shows, and personal videos with artwork and metadata. After installing Plex from the PlayStation Store and signing in, the PS4 will display your library and stream content over your home network in up to full HD.
For local streaming, the PS4 and the server device need to be on the same network; subscribing to Plex’s premium options enables secure remote access when you’re away from home. This setup lets the PS4 become the primary interface to a large local collection, avoiding the need for extra media boxes while giving you more control than typical streaming apps.
Make it a dedicated Spotify station
The native Spotify app on PS4 allows the console to behave like a full-time music hub for a living room or office, outputting audio through your TV or connected sound system. After installing the app and logging in, you can play playlists, albums, or podcasts, with Premium accounts unlocking ad‑free listening and higher-quality streams.
Spotify Connect lets you control playback from your phone, turning the PS4 into a “hidden” receiver that you rarely touch once it’s set up. Because music can run in the background, the console can double as ambient audio for gatherings or focused work sessions without needing a separate smart speaker.
Take advantage of the built-in browser
Unlike PS5, PS4 includes a dedicated web browser that can handle basic sites, news, and quick lookups directly from the console’s main interface. Pairing a USB or Bluetooth keyboard and mouse makes casual browsing more comfortable, especially for typing searches or logging into web-based services.
The browser is limited compared with modern desktop options—it is not ideal for heavy multitasking or complex web apps—but it’s perfectly adequate for light use from the couch. Because it runs alongside other system functions, you can quickly jump between browsing, downloads, and media playback without shutting everything down.
Keep using it for Blu-ray and DVDs
PS4 consoles double as reliable Blu‑ray and DVD players, supporting full HD playback and multichannel audio over HDMI for both games and movies. For households with large disc collections, leaving the PS4 connected to a bedroom or secondary TV is often easier than buying a standalone player.
Setup is minimal: connect via HDMI, insert the disc, and start playback from the on‑screen disc icon. Given the console’s age, this is a cost‑effective way to keep physical media relevant instead of letting discs—or the console—go unused.
Salvage and reuse the internal hard drive
Every PS4 ships with a 2.5‑inch SATA drive that can be removed and placed into a USB enclosure to become external storage for a PC, laptop, or another compatible device. With only a small screwdriver and an inexpensive enclosure, you can convert the drive into portable space for backups, media, or project files.
Once connected to a computer, reformat the drive to your preferred file system and it behaves like any other external hard drive. This is particularly useful if the console itself has failed, letting you recycle a still‑functional component instead of sending all of it to e‑waste.
Use USB playback for offline libraries
PS4 supports external USB storage formatted in exFAT or FAT32 for media playback, rejecting NTFS drives entirely. After formatting, place your files into appropriately named folders—such as MUSIC, VIDEO, or PICTURES—so the Media Player app can recognize and categorize them.
The console can play common formats like MP4 for video and MP3 for audio, as well as display standard image files, making it ideal for offline movie collections or photo slideshows. For large files, exFAT is recommended because it avoids the 4 GB per‑file size limit that affects FAT32.
Trade it in or donate it
If none of these uses appeal, trading a working PS4 to retailers and refurbishers can still yield meaningful credit toward a PS5 or other hardware, with values varying by model and condition but often reaching into low three figures. This offsets upgrade costs while guaranteeing the console is either resold or properly processed rather than thrown away.
Donation is another impactful choice, as many schools, youth programs, and community centers welcome older consoles for both entertainment and educational purposes. Passing on a PS4 in good condition reduces e‑waste and puts games, media, and connectivity within reach for people who might not otherwise afford them.
