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 organise applications. For details, see "Customising 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This icon is only displayed when a newer version of the application is available for download.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
The icons that are displayed differ depending on the communication status.
Connected to wired LAN
Wi-Fi signal strength
Shows the signal strength in four levels.
Connected in ad hoc mode 
Bluetooth® device in use 
Network activity indicator
- B )
- Open LiveArea™ screens
- C )
- PS Vita card
The icon appears when a PS Vita card is inserted. - D )
- 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.
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.
Topics screen
The Topics screen is on the right side of the home screen on some models sold in specific countries and regions. It features recommendations and the latest information related to PlayStation®.
Unlike the LiveArea™ screens, you cannot peel and close the Topics screen.