How To Swap Out The PS5 Faceplate

Many people have been requesting that PlayStation offer new faceplates in various colors since the launch of the PS5. While third-party firms have published various color plates—and have been threatened with legal action by Sony—there was no official PlayStation choice. That will change later this month when PlayStation Direct releases the Midnight Black and Cosmic Red faceplates. We got our hands on the Midnight Black faceplate ahead of time, and it simply takes a few minutes to give your PS5 a new look.

The PS5 should be positioned horizontally on a flat surface with the PlayStation logo in the lower left-hand corner after disconnecting the cords and removing the stand.

It requires some effort to remove the top faceplate. With your other hand, stabilize the other side of the console, then pull up on the corner while sliding the faceplate to the right. Then, aligning the new faceplate with the console's connectors, push it down and to the left (the polar opposite of removing it).

You can now turn the console over after securing the top faceplate. The disc drive should be in front of you and on the right side this time. Make sure the power and disc eject buttons are on the correct side of the system when looking at it if you have the PS5 Digital. The procedure for removing the old faceplate and replacing it is the same as for the top faceplate, but this time you pull up on the back left corner.

Before reconnecting the cords and putting the PS5 back on your shelf, be sure the faceplates are secure. When the faceplates are properly installed, you should hear a loud snap. We assume you'll want to maintain your white faceplate, so place it in the protective bags that came with the faceplate box and shut it to store it.

The faceplates in Midnight Black and Cosmic Red cost $55 each and will be available via PlayStation Direct on January 21. The faceplates will be available for purchase beginning February 18 at major shops. If you're looking for plates to match the impending trio of DualSense colors, Nova Pink, Starlight Blue, or Galactic Purple will be available in the first half of the year.