Sony PlayStation 4 Firmware 8.00

The following changes have been made to Party and Messages:

- When starting a party, you can now choose to create a new group or select an existing group. When you create a new group, it'll be saved even after the party has ended. You can start a new party with the same members by selecting the group that you previously created.
- You can now use your groups across Party and Messages. You can send messages to a group you created for a party, or start a party with a group you've messaged with.
- For groups of 3 or more members, the group owner can now remove members from the group. The group owner is the player that created the group.
- For groups of just you and one other player, you can no longer change the group name or image. Only the name and image of the other player displays.
- Messages has been added to the screen during parties. When you select Messages, you'll see the messages exchanged between members of your group.
- The public/private settings for parties have been removed. Only members of the group can join the party.
- You can now change your party settings from the options menu that displays on the screen when you select Party. You can also manage your party connection settings when you select Party Voice Chat Connection, which has been added to the party settings.
- Members of your party can now see when your mic is muted.
- You can now join parties even if there are members that you've blocked. When you join a party with a blocked member, or when a blocked member joins the party, you'll receive a notification. During the party, you won't hear each other, and the game you're playing, as well as your Share Play status, won't be displayed. In addition, the blocked member won't be notified that you've blocked them.
- Play Together sessions can no longer be started during a party. For online multiplayer games, you can start a game session from within the game.

Trophy levels are new:

- Your trophy level is a ranking determined by the total number of trophies you’ve earned. When you update your system software, you’ll see your new trophy level based on the trophies you’ve earned to date. Your new trophy level also appears when you sign in to PlayStation App, your PlayStation Vita system, or My PlayStation online.
- There won't be any changes to trophies you've already earned or trophy information, such as unlock requirements.

2-step verification is now available using authenticator apps:

- After entering your sign-in and password on your PS4, you can complete the sign-in process by allowing the app access.
- You can download authenticator apps from the App Store or Google Play. We do not guarantee the functionality of all authenticator apps.

The following changes have been made to Parental Controls:

- Communicating with Other Players and Viewing Content Created by Other Players have been combined and are now Communication and User-Generated Content. If you've selected Not Allowed for either of the settings, the same setting will transfer after the update.
- Even with Communication and User-Generated Content set to Not Allowed, the in-game communication feature can now be used only for specific games that the family manager or parent/guardian has allowed. When a child sends a request during the game, the family manager or parent/guardian receives an email. Follow the instructions in the email to allow or restrict the use of the in-game communication features.

Mute All Microphones has been added to the quick menu under Sound/Devices:

- This setting mutes all microphones connected to your PS4.

Changes made when using Remote Play on mobile devices and computers:

- On your device, you'll need to update PS Remote Play to the latest version.
- The button assignments that you set for your controller on your PS4 are now reflected when you use Remote Play.
- The screen design has been refreshed.
- Support for Android5 and 6 is no longer available.
- Support for Windows 8.1 is no longer available.

Under Settings > Account Management > Privacy Settings, the following changes have been made:

- Under Gaming | Media, Trophies and Games have been combined and are now Gaming History. You can limit who can see the games you've played and the trophies you've earned.
- Under Gaming | Media, Online Status and Now Playing has been added. You can set limits on who can see your online status and the game you're currently playing.
- In Messages under Personal Info | Messaging, the content you can restrict has changed. You can limit who can invite you to parties and add you to groups. For example, the Friends Only setting previously displayed messages only from your friends, but now you can see messages from players other than your friends if they're in your group.
- Under Personal Info | Messaging, Mobile Availability has been removed.

The following changes have been made to Communities:

- When you create a new Community, you can no longer use By Request Only to limit members who can join. If you have an existing Community that is set to Anyone, you can no longer change it to By Request Only.
- You can no longer create parties from the Community screen. You'll need to create a group in Party.

You can no longer create a new event in Events:

- Events created before the update will still be held, and events and tournaments hosted by game developers will continue to take place.

Notices:

- Do not install system software soon before or soon after a power outage.
- Do not turn off your system during the installation. Interrupting the installation can cause your system to be damaged.
- You might not be able to use some applications or content without first updating the system software.

Update using a computer:

- On the USB storage device, create folders for saving the update file.
- Using a computer, create a folder named "PS4".
- Inside that folder, create another folder named "UPDATE".
- Download the update file, and save it in the "UPDATE" folder you created in step 1.
- Save the file with the file name "PS4UPDATE.PUP".
- Connect the USB storage device that the update file is saved on to your PS4 system, and then from the function screen, select Settings (Settings) > [System Software Update].
- Follow the screens to complete the update.
- If your PS4 system does not recognize the update file, check that the folder names and file name are correct. Enter the folder names and file name in single-byte characters using uppercase letters.

Perform a New Installation of the System Software:

- This procedure is for initializing your PS4 system and performing a new installation of the system software, such as for when you replace the hard disk drive.
- Be careful when using an update file for reinstallation. All users and all data will be deleted.
- On the USB storage device, create folders for saving the update file.
- Using a computer, create a folder named "PS4".
- Inside that folder, create another folder named "UPDATE".
- Download the update file, and save it in the "UPDATE" folder you created in step 1.
- Save the file with the file name "PS4UPDATE.PUP".
- Turn off the power of your PS4 system completely.
- Check that the power indicator is not lit. If the power indicator is lit up in orange, touch the power button on the PS4 system for at least 7 seconds (until the system beeps a second time).
- Connect the USB storage device that the update file is saved on to your PS4 system, and then touch the power button for at least 7 seconds.
- The PS4 system starts in safe mode.
- Select [Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)].
- Follow the screens to complete the update.
- If your PS4 system does not recognize the update file, check that the folder names and file name are correct. Enter the folder names and file name in single-byte characters using uppercase letters. 

About Gaming Console Firmware:

Upgrading the firmware version on your gaming console might enhance the unit's overall performance and stability, include workarounds for various issues, and improve different features (or add support for new ones).

In addition to that, if you have updated the firmware and it either faulty or has caused a drop in the overall performance of the device, applying a previous version is handy as regards recovering the console's functionality. On the downside, downgrading the firmware isn't always possible.

When it comes to applying a certain firmware, as this process is not without risks most of the times, it is recommended that this task be initiated by a power user in a steady power environment, such as the one provided by a UPS unit. However, the installation can also be performed by a regular user at their own risk.

As for the installation method, given the large variety of gaming consoles and the various ways for applying a firmware, before even considering an upgrade or a downgrade, it's best that you carefully read and understand the installation steps, and initiate the process only once you have familiarized yourself with the update method.

That being said, if you have duly considered all these aspects, either click on the download button to get the present release, or check with our website as often as possible to find out first when the firmware that you desire is available.