Sony Patents a Way to Pay for PS5 Games Through the Controller

Sony Interactive Entertainment has filed a patent that would turn a PlayStation controller into a go-between for payments. Published on September 17, 2026, under number US 2026/0273403 A1, the application describes a system in which a smartphone passes payment details to the console with no menu navigation.

The filing was submitted in March 2025 and lists Alex Song, Daniel Hiatt, Mayu Watanabe and Chris Thielbar as inventors. According to the description, the controller keeps track of whether a device is within a set distance. When one comes close, the controller sends it a signal, and the device answers with a confirmation. After that, the phone sends payment credentials, such as card data or a token, to the controller, which repackages them and forwards them to the console.

The process is tied to an event on the console, for example a purchase prompt. This means the controller would not broadcast financial data all the time and would only relay it when the console asks. The patent does not say which wireless technology would handle the proximity detection.

The goal is to remove friction at checkout. Right now, buying a game mid-session can mean pausing, digging through payment screens or reaching for a phone to approve a security prompt. The system would also keep the entire transaction inside Sony's ecosystem, which could help sales in the digital store, subscriptions and in-game content.

I haven't played anything since the PS3, but I think active PlayStation users will find this idea pretty cool. From where I stand, skipping the payment menus is simply convenient for gamers.

Security is the open question, as the filing does not address how the wireless steps would be protected. The application has been waiting for examination since March 27, 2025, and includes 20 claims. As with any patent, there is no guarantee the feature will ever reach consoles.