How to make your PS5 login automatically (the "fast start" guide)
The PlayStation 5 is built for speed, but that speed is often throttled by a single, annoying screen: the User Selection menu. If you are the only person who uses your console, there is no reason to manually select your profile every time you pick up the controller. We want to get from the couch to the game as fast as possible.
By enabling Auto-Login, your PS5 will bypass the "Who is using this controller?" screen and immediately sign into your primary account the moment you hit the power button. It’s a small tweak that makes the console feel truly yours.
Is the login screen slowing you down?
- Are you the primary (or only) user of your PS5?
- Tired of the extra button presses every time you boot up?
- Want your PS5 to feel more like a dedicated "gaming machine" and less like a computer?
- Using a media remote and want to jump straight to Netflix?
Let’s shave those extra seconds off your startup time.
⚠️ The "Only one" rule: You can only set one user to log in automatically. If you have a family or roommates who use the console, this feature might get annoying for them, as they will have to manually "Switch User" every time they want to play.
How to enable PS5 auto-login
This setting is tucked away inside your account options. Here is the path to find it in the recent firmware:
- From the Home screen, go to Settings (the gear icon).
- Select Users and Accounts.
- Select Login Settings.
- Turn on the Log in to PS5 Automatically option.
Tip: If the toggle is "greyed out," it’s likely because you haven't set a passcode for your user yet. While you don't need a passcode for auto-login to work, the system sometimes requires a fresh sync of your login data before the toggle becomes active.
The "speed vs. security" trade-off
Before you leave this setting on forever, consider how it interacts with other features you might have enabled:
- Login passcodes: If you have a 4-digit login passcode enabled (see our security guide), the PS5 will still ask for that code. It will skip the user selection screen, but it won't skip the security screen.
- Guest access: If you frequently have friends over for local multiplayer, they will now have to wait for your account to load before they can select "Switch User" to add their own profiles.
- Remote play: Auto-login is a lifesaver for Remote Play users. It ensures that when you wake your console from your phone or a portal device, it doesn't get "stuck" at the user screen.
Troubleshooting: "It stopped working!"
If your PS5 suddenly starts asking you to select a user again, it’s usually for one of these three reasons:
- A system update: Sony often resets "convenience" toggles after a major firmware update for security reasons. Just pop back into settings and flip the switch again.
- Controller issues: If you turn on the PS5 using a second controller that isn't synced to your primary profile, the console will ask who is using that specific controller.
- Account changes: If you changed your PSN password recently on a computer or phone, the console will require a manual login one time to verify the new credentials.
Related:
How to set, change, or delete a PS5 passcode