PS5 Slim Disc Drive Will Require an Internet Connection

The detachable disc drive for the PS5 Slim may require an internet connection to work. This is based on images of the new console box that emerged online, prompting concern from users. [Thanks, IGN!]

The discovery of the PS5 disc drive internet connection issue came from images of the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III bundle, posted by fan site Charlie Intel. Followers noticed that in the image of the box, the small print mentions the need for an internet connection when pairing the drive with the console. As the text specifies this is “upon setup,” it’s likely this is a one-time connection only, rather than the unit requiring a persistent connection to work.

While the news is unlikely to be a problem for anyone who plans to connect their console to the internet anyway, it has attracted criticism related to preservation. For example, Digital Foundry’s John Linneman pointed out that the servers for this may not always be available in the future.

However, this appears to not be a new thing. According to a 2020 article from Wired, the base PS5 already has this requirement, as does the Xbox series of consoles. However, this is less obvious with the drives being connected to the units in the first place. The move appears to be an attempt to block piracy and jailbreaking, using custom circuit boards that communicate with the console’s motherboard to ensure they each contain compatible firmware. A section of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act also makes it illegal to circumvent systems such as these, effectively outlawing third-party repairs. This means it’s unlikely that Sony will be removing the connection requirement for the PS5 Slim disc drive any time soon.

The PS5 Slim will be released in November 2023 in the US. It will appear in other countries worldwide in the following months.