Sony’s PS5 update for April 2026 (version 26.03-13.20.00) is a minor firmware patch that adds new emoji reactions for messages and improves messaging UI readability. The update is around 1 GB in size and does not include performance upgrades, major features, or fixes for known issues.
Sony pushed out a new PS5 update on April 23, 2026, and if you were expecting something big – don’t. This one is about as minor as firmware updates get.
The update, officially labeled version 26.03-13.20.00, weighs in at just over 1 GB (the exact size may differ depending on your region). You can download it right now if you haven’t already.
What’s New in Version 26.03-13.20.00
Two things. That’s it.
First, Sony added more emojis you can use to react to messages on your PS5. If you’ve ever tried to react to a friend’s message and felt limited by the current emoji selection, good news – you’ve got more options now.
Second, the update improves the readability and general usability of some messaging screens. Sony hasn’t spelled out exactly which screens got tweaked, but it likely covers some minor visual or layout changes in the console’s UI.
Here are the full official patch notes, word for word:
- We’ve added more emojis that you can use for message reactions.
- We’ve improved the messages and usability on some screens.
That’s genuinely the whole list. No system stability notes. No performance boosts. No mystery fix for that one bug you’ve been dealing with for months.
What About PS4 and PS Portal?
Neither got an update this time. Sony confirmed there are no new system software updates for the PS4 or the PS Portal remote player alongside this April release.
Something Weird Is Happening in the Background
Here’s where things get a little interesting. Even before this official update dropped, Sony had quietly pushed at least two backend system feature updates within the past week.
Some PS5 owners who manually checked for system feature updates through the console’s settings were prompted to restart their consoles to install “the latest features.” The catch? Nobody could tell what actually changed. Sony hasn’t released any public documentation on these background updates, and players are still trying to figure out what, if anything, is different.
It’s a bit odd, but Sony has done this kind of quiet rollout before.
Don’t Expect Anything Bigger Anytime Soon
If you’re hoping this small update is a sign that something major is just around the corner, you’ll probably be waiting a while.
Sony released a notably large PS5 firmware update back in February 2026. That one was genuinely worth getting excited about. PS5 Pro owners got PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution 2 (PSSR 2), which made supported games look noticeably sharper on the premium hardware. It also brought a new Showcase Mode and general system software improvements.
Sony doesn’t usually follow up a big update with another one quickly. The company tends to space out its major patches across the year. The January 2026 firmware, version 26.01-12.60.00, followed the same pattern – mostly stability fixes and small tweaks to friend widgets and messaging.
So if you’re waiting for something substantial, realistically, it’s probably a few months away.
Should You Download This Update?
Yes, just go ahead and install it. Even minor updates can quietly include backend fixes that don’t make it into the patch notes. It’s a 1 GB download and takes just a few minutes. There’s no real reason to skip it.
Just don’t expect your PS5 to feel or look any different once it restarts.
Are you a PS5 owner waiting for a bigger system update? What features are you hoping Sony adds next? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. And if you found this article useful, share it with a fellow PlayStation fan who might have missed the news.
