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Yes, PS4 games can now run locally on some Android devices through Bachata S4, an experimental ARM64 port built around the shadPS4 emulator core. But “running” does not yet mean ready for normal play: Bachata S4’s published 2026 snapshot lists nine tested games and none classified as “Playable.” Its recorded results range from smooth performance in some lighter games to low frame rates or a stop before gameplay in others. If you want to play PS4 games on a phone reliably today, Sony’s PS Remote Play is a separate option that streams from a PS4 or PS5 console.
What “PS4 games on Android” means
There are two different ways the phrase can describe playing on a phone:
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- Local emulation: Bachata S4 adapts the shadPS4 PlayStation 4 emulator core for ARM64 Android devices. The phone runs the emulator and game workload itself. The upstream shadPS4 project describes its core as a PS4 emulator for desktop operating systems; Bachata S4 is a separate Android adaptation.
- Console streaming: Sony’s PS Remote Play sends a game from a PS4 or PS5 to your Android device. The console runs the game, and the phone displays the stream over a network.
Bachata S4 combines the emulator core with x86-64 guest execution based on FEX, a managed Linux runtime, Android display, audio and input integration, and Vulkan rendering through compatible drivers. It supports touch controls and physical controllers. The project describes the software as experimental.
How well does Bachata S4 run PS4 games?
Bachata S4’s 2026 compatibility snapshot lists nine tested games: six marked “In-game,” one “Menus,” and two “Boots.” It lists zero as “Playable.” These are the project’s own classifications and test results, not independent benchmarks.
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The distinction matters: “In-game” means a test reached controllable gameplay, not that the game was completed or worked reliably through a long session. A title may still have major issues with speed, stability, graphics, audio or controls. The project uses “Playable” for a game suitable for normal play in its tested configuration without a major blocker.
Examples from the published tests
| Game | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Bloodborne | Reached controllable gameplay in Hunter’s Dream. A recorded Turnip test averaged 21.03 FPS, with 17–30 FPS observed during gameplay. |
| Dark Souls: Remastered | Reached controllable gameplay in Undead Asylum at roughly 24–30 FPS on the recorded Turnip configuration. |
| Sonic Mania | Reached Green Hill Zone Act 1 at about 60 FPS in a recorded Vortek test. |
| Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice | Reached controllable gameplay in the opening Ashina Reservoir area, at roughly 19–30 FPS with heavier dips. |
| Dragon’s Crown Pro | Reached controllable dungeon gameplay at about 60 FPS in a recorded OnePlus 13 / Turnip gen8 v3 test. |
| Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutants in Manhattan | Reached stage gameplay at a reported locked 30 FPS in a recorded OnePlus 13 / Turnip gen8 v3 test. |
| Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy | Reached the title screen but did not advance to gameplay in the recorded test. |
| Galak-Z | Booted and rendered frames but remained blocked before the title screen. |
| SnowRunner | Reached a rendered title screen at roughly 15–20 FPS but remained static and did not respond to input in the recorded test. |
These figures show why a single “PS4 emulator FPS” claim would be misleading. Performance and compatibility vary by game and tested configuration; a result on one phone, driver or emulator release does not establish what another device will achieve. The project’s published figures are not controlled, independent comparisons across Android phones.
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What Android hardware does it require?
Bachata S4 lists Android 12 or newer, ARM64 architecture and a Vulkan-capable GPU with a compatible driver as requirements. It recommends a recent high-end Snapdragon/Adreno device. Even with those basics, compatibility can differ with the game, Android version, emulator release, graphics driver, guest backend and the phone’s thermal state.
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Local emulation or PS Remote Play?
| Bachata S4 | PS Remote Play | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the game runs | On the Android device through local emulation. | On a PS4 or PS5 console; the phone receives a stream. |
| Network needed to play | Not for the local emulation itself. | Yes. Sony recommends a high-speed connection of at least 5 Mbps, and at least 15 Mbps for the best experience. |
| Key prerequisites | Android 12 or later, ARM64, and compatible Vulkan support; the project recommends recent high-end Snapdragon/Adreno hardware. | A PS4 or PS5, a PlayStation account, an Android device and a suitable network connection. |
| Evidence of normal-play readiness | The project’s 2026 snapshot lists zero tested games as “Playable.” | Streaming availability depends on the console and network; Sony’s setup documentation does not characterize this as Android emulation. |
Remote Play is the established route if you already have the console and want to use it from a phone; it does not remove the need for that console. Sony’s Remote Play overview lists Android 9 or later for on-screen controls, Android 10 or later for DUALSHOCK 4 Bluetooth support, and Android 12 or later for DualSense support. Sony also lists Backbone One PlayStation Edition compatibility with Android phones running Android 10 or later. A controller is optional for phone play, and its compatibility does not imply any improvement to emulator performance.
How to set up PS Remote Play on Android
- Check the requirements. Have a PS4 or PS5, an Android device, and a network connection. Sony recommends at least 5 Mbps, with at least 15 Mbps for a better experience.
- Install PS Remote Play and sign in. Use the same PlayStation account on the Android device that you use on the PS4, as Sony’s PS4 setup instructions direct.
- Connect to the console. Follow the app’s prompts to find and connect to your PS4 or PS5. Network quality and latency affect the stream, so a connection that meets the speed recommendation can still feel poor if latency or stability is weak.
- Choose touch controls or a supported controller. Check Sony’s Android-version requirements for controller support before pairing a DUALSHOCK 4 or DualSense.
Is an Android PS4 emulator ready for everyday gaming?
Not on the evidence currently published by Bachata S4. It is a genuine technical milestone: some tested games reach controllable gameplay, and some reported configurations produce strong frame rates in particular titles. But the snapshot’s zero “Playable” classifications, along with tests that stop at menus or a static title screen, mean the project should be treated as experimental rather than a dependable way to play a PS4 library on a phone.
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If you are evaluating it, check the project’s current compatibility notes for the exact game and configuration, and treat results as configuration-specific. For play from a console you already own, use PS Remote Play instead; it streams the console’s output rather than running a PS4 emulator on Android.
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