Breaking the Limits of PS Remote: More Freedom with Chiaki-ng
Inconvenient Experiences with PS Remote
I've been using PS5 Remote Play a lot lately, and I noticed that on mobile devices, virtual joy-cons are overlaid on the screen for control. However, on larger screen devices like iPads, the virtual joy-con positions are too far apart, making it difficult to operate. So, this time, I tried running PS Remote on my MacBook, and guess what? Only the arrow keys worked with the keyboard, and major inputs like the analog sticks were completely unusable.
It seems that in the past, it was possible to play to some extent using the keyboard, but now, it's impossible to play properly without a DualSense pad or a USB-connected pad. Of course, a joypad is necessary to play games properly, but this limitation is too inconvenient considering that the purpose of Remote Play is also to easily check or change settings.
Chiaki-ng: A New Alternative
That's when I discovered an open-source PS Remote client called Chiaki-ng. Chiaki-ng supports various operating systems such as macOS, Windows, and Linux and provides features to overcome the limitations of the official PS Remote app. In particular, it allows you to map a virtual joypad to the keyboard, which seemed like it could solve the control issues.
I was worried because past blog posts about Chiaki mentioned a complicated process of converting PSN IDs, but in Chiaki-ng, the setup is automatically completed just by logging in with my PSN account. Thanks to this, the installation and setup process was much simpler.
Advantages of Chiaki-ng
The biggest advantage I felt while using Chiaki-ng was the keyboard mapping feature. While the official PS Remote app required a DualSense pad, Chiaki-ng supports using the keyboard for all controls. Thanks to this, I could easily change tactics or settings with just my MacBook, even from outside.
Another advantage is the support for various platforms. It can be used on Windows and Linux as well as macOS, allowing you to freely enjoy remote play without being tied to a specific operating system. Furthermore, the fact that it's an open-source project and is provided for free is also attractive.
How to Install and Set Up Chiaki-ng
The process of installing and setting up Chiaki-ng is as follows:
- Download the latest version from the official Chiaki-ng website or GitHub.
- Run the application and log in with your PSN account.
- Enable Remote Play on your PS5, and select the console that was automatically detected in Chiaki-ng.
- When the PIN entry window appears, enter the PIN code shown in the PS5 settings → System → Remote Play → View Registration Code.
- Customize the control environment by assigning the desired keys in the keyboard mapping settings.
Chiaki-ng vs Official PS Remote App
The official PS Remote app is Sony's certified client with excellent stability and compatibility, but it has some limitations. For example, proper gameplay is impossible without a DualSense pad, and it does not support keyboard mapping. On the other hand, Chiaki-ng solves these limitations and provides a more flexible user environment.
Of course, since Chiaki-ng is an unofficial client, you cannot receive support from Sony, and there may be some risks in terms of updates or compatibility. Therefore, I think Chiaki-ng is a great alternative if you're looking to perform simple tasks or change settings rather than deeply immersing yourself in a game.
In Conclusion...
PS Remote is a good enough tool for simply enjoying games or doing setup tasks. But if you've felt inconvenienced due to the limitations of the official app, consider using an open-source client like Chiaki-ng. Especially with the keyboard mapping feature, I was able to use Remote Play more freely, even from outside.
I hope you also experience new possibilities of PS5 Remote Play with Chiaki-ng!
