This section explains how to use the home screen, LiveArea™ screens and application screens.
Home screen
- A )
- Info bar
Check the status of your system on the info bar. - B )
- Application icons
The home screen displays icons for applications. A maximum of 500 icons can be displayed. - C )
- Folder
You can create folders to organize applications. For details, see "Customizing the home screen". - D )
- Page indicator
The page indicator shows the number of pages in the home screen. The dot for the current page is white.
LiveArea™ screen
The LiveArea™ screen for an application presents information and features that relate to the application. The content and appearance of the screen vary for different applications.
- A )
- Action icons
Action icons let you perform common functions across applications. Only the icons for functions supported by the application are shown:(Update) Updates the application
This icon is only displayed when a newer version of the application is available for download.(Internet Search) Opens the (Browser) application and displays the keyword search screen (Redeem Codes) Displays a screen for entering a code for a purchase from PlayStation®Store (Help) Displays the user's guide for your system (the first icon) or the software manual for the application (the second icon) (Import Saved Data) Imports saved data
This icon is displayed only for games that support this feature.(Refresh LiveArea™ Screen) Refreshes the content displayed on the LiveArea™ screen (PlayStation®Plus) Accesses online storage
Access the PlayStation™Network server, so you can upload or download the saved data.
- B )
- Gate
Select the gate to start the application. - C )
- Live items
Live items display various information related to the application. The information varies by application.
Application screens
Application screens are the screens where you operate the application.
- A )
- (Options)
Select the options button to display an options menu, which is a context-sensitive menu of options such as [Delete] and [Copy]. - B )
- (Back)
Select the back button to go back to the previous screen.
Checking the status of your system (info bar)
- A )
- Communication status
View information about network connections, signal strengths, and current communications. The icons that are displayed will differ depending on the model of your system.Mobile signal strength*
Shows the signal strength by displaying "No Signal" or the number of bars (1-5).- The (Limited Connectivity) icon is displayed when your connection is limited by your mobile network operator. For details, contact your mobile network operator.
- If the temperature of your system becomes too high, the (Temporary Suspension) icon appears. When this icon is visible, your system cannot use the mobile network connection until your system cools down. When your system cools down, the icon for the mobile signal strength re-appears.
Roaming* Data transmission mode* Wi-Fi signal strength
Shows the signal strength in four levels.Connected in ad hoc mode Bluetooth® device in use Network activity indicator Flight Mode
- Communication status icons other than (Bluetooth®) disappear, and only the (Flight Mode) and (Bluetooth®) icons are displayed.
- When you are not using the Bluetooth® feature, the (Bluetooth®) icon is not displayed.
- *
- Only on 3G/Wi-Fi models
If you select the [Mobile Network] checkbox under (Settings) > [Start] > [Network] > [MobileNetwork Settings] to remove the checkmark, all the communication status icons will no longer be displayed.
The SIM card status might appear on 3G/Wi-Fi models.No SIM No SIM card is inserted.
If [No SIM] appears while a SIM card is inserted, turn off your system, remove the SIM card, and insert the SIM card again with the correct orientation.Invalid SIM An unusable SIM card is inserted.
For details, contact your mobile network operator.Locked SIM A locked SIM card is inserted.
The [Lock SIM Card] setting under (Settings) > [Start] > [Network] > [Mobile Network Settings] > [SIM Card Settings] is enabled. You must enter your PIN number every time your system is turned on.
- B )
- Open LiveArea™ screens
- C )
- PS Vita card
The icon appears when a PS Vita card is inserted. - D )
- Audio output status
- E )
- Remaining battery charge
The remaining battery charge is shown in five levels. When charging, (Charging) is displayed. - F )
- Notification indicator
When the user receives a new notification, a notification message appears on the upper right of the screen. The notification indicator displays the number of new notifications.
Select the notification indicator to display the notification list, from which you can view the download status of content. From the notification list you can select an item on the list to go to the relevant application.- Depending on the type of notification, (Options) appears. Select it to display an options menu, which is a context-sensitive menu of options.
- When a notification is generated while a video is being played or when your system is in standby mode, the notification indicator* blinks slowly in blue.
- *
- The PS button blinks slowly in blue for PCH-1000 series systems.
Index screen
Press the PS button while on the home screen or a LiveArea™ screen to display the index screen, where you can view the list of open LiveArea™ screens.
Select an item on the index screen to display the LiveArea™ screen for the application. On the index screen, you can display the home screen by pressing the PS button.