The Create button records and shares your gameplay
The Create button on your PS5 controller is a shortcut to capture video clips, screenshots, and livestreams of what you are playing. It sits to the left of the touchpad on the controller. Press it once to take a screenshot. Hold it down to record the last few minutes of gameplay — by default, the console saves the previous 15 minutes of video.
You do not need any special software or subscription to use Create. The button works in almost every PS5 game, and the files save directly to your console's storage. From there, you can edit clips, delete them, or upload them to social media platforms like YouTube, Twitch, or X (formerly Twitter).
The Create button is also where you start a livestream to broadcast your gameplay in real time. This feature requires a PlayStation Network account and an internet connection, but no paid subscription beyond what you already have for online play.
Key Takeaways
- Press Create once for a screenshot, or hold it to record the last 15 minutes of gameplay by default.
- All captured content saves to your PS5 console storage, and you can edit or delete clips before sharing them.
- You can upload clips directly to YouTube, Twitch, or X without leaving the PS5 interface.
- Livestreaming through Create requires a PlayStation Network account but no additional paid subscription.
- You can change how long the console records in the background by adjusting settings in System > Capture and Broadcast.
How to take screenshots and record clips
To take a single screenshot, press the Create button once. The PS5 will capture what is on your screen and save it as an image file. You will see a brief notification in the corner confirming the screenshot was saved.
To record video, hold down the Create button. A menu appears with options: you can record the last 15 minutes (the default length), record the last hour if you have changed that setting, or start recording from that moment forward. Choose whichever option you want, and the PS5 begins saving video to storage. When you are done, press Create again or use the menu to stop recording.
Both screenshots and video clips appear in your Capture Gallery. You reach this by pressing Create and selecting "View Captures" or by going to your profile and choosing Media. From there you can watch clips before uploading, trim the beginning or end of a video, add a title or description, or delete files you do not want to keep.
Uploading to social media and streaming platforms
Once you have recorded a clip or taken a screenshot, you can share it directly from your PS5. Open the Capture Gallery, select the file you want to share, and choose "Share." The console will show you a list of platforms: YouTube, Twitch, X, Discord, and others depending on what you have linked to your PlayStation Network account.
Select the platform and the PS5 will upload the file. You can add a title or description before uploading. The upload happens in the background, so you can keep playing while it finishes. Check the platform itself to see the post once it appears — the PS5 will notify you when the upload is complete.
If you want to upload to a platform the PS5 does not list, you can save the video or screenshot to a USB drive and transfer it to a computer, then upload from there. This takes longer but works for any platform you use.
Starting a livestream with Create
To broadcast your gameplay live, press Create and select "Start Streaming." The PS5 will ask which platform you want to stream to — Twitch and YouTube are the most common. You must have linked that account to your PlayStation Network profile first.
Once you choose a platform, the PS5 shows you options for stream title, description, and visibility (public, private, or followers only). Fill these in, then select "Start Streaming." Your game will appear live on that platform, and viewers can watch and comment in real time.
While you stream, the Create button still works normally — you can take screenshots or record clips without interrupting the broadcast. When you are done streaming, press Create and select "Stop Streaming." The broadcast ends when ready, and the platform saves a recording of the stream (if that platform supports it).
Changing what the Create button records
By default, the PS5 records the last 15 minutes of gameplay whenever you hold Create. You can change this to record the last hour instead, or adjust other capture settings. Go to Settings > System > Capture and Broadcast > Capture Settings.
Here you can set the video length (15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour), choose the video quality (up to 4K at 60 frames per second, depending on your console and internet), and decide whether to record game audio, voice chat, or both. You can also turn off background recording entirely if you want to save storage space — then Create will only record when you actively hold the button.
Some games let you adjust capture settings within the game itself. Check the game's options menu if you want finer control over what gets recorded.
Storage and managing your captures
Every screenshot and video clip takes up space on your PS5's storage drive. A 15-minute video clip at high quality can use 5 to 10 gigabytes of storage, depending on the game and your quality settings. If your console runs low on storage, you may not be able to record new clips until you delete old ones.
You can see how much storage you have left by going to Settings > System > Storage. If you are running low, open your Capture Gallery, select clips you no longer want, and delete them. You can also upload clips to the cloud through your PlayStation Plus subscription, which frees up local storage while keeping the files safe.
If you want to keep a large collection of clips, consider uploading them to YouTube or another platform where they stay permanently. Clips stored only on your PS5 are lost if the console fails or you sell it.
Troubleshooting Create button issues
If the Create button is not working, first check whether the game you are playing supports it. A few older games or certain modes (like some online multiplayer sessions) may block recording for licensing reasons. The PS5 will show a message if recording is not available.
If Create works in other games but not one specific game, the issue is likely the game itself. Restart the game or try a different one to confirm the button is working. If Create does not work in any game, restart your PS5 by holding the power button for 10 seconds, then turning it back on.
If you cannot upload to a platform, make sure that platform is linked to your PlayStation Network account. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Connected Services and check that YouTube, Twitch, or whichever platform you want is listed. If it is not, select it and follow the steps to link your account.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does recording with Create use a lot of storage?
A 15-minute video clip at high quality uses roughly 5 to 10 gigabytes. If you record frequently, your storage will fill up within weeks. Delete old clips regularly or upload them to YouTube to free up space on your console.
Can I record gameplay if I am playing offline?
Yes. The Create button works whether you are online or offline. You only need an internet connection if you want to upload clips or livestream to a platform like YouTube or Twitch.
What happens to my clips if I delete them from the PS5?
They are gone permanently unless you uploaded them to YouTube, Twitch, or another platform first. If you want to keep clips long-term, upload them before deleting them from your console.
Can I record voice chat with the Create button?
Yes, but you must turn this on in settings first. Go to Settings > System > Capture and Broadcast > Capture Settings and toggle "Include Voice Chat" on. This records all voice from your party or game chat into the video.
Do I need PlayStation Plus to use the Create button?
No. You can take screenshots, record clips, and upload to social media without a paid subscription. You only need PlayStation Plus if you want to play online multiplayer games or upload clips to PlayStation's cloud storage.