The best things to do with an old PS3 in 2026 look different from a few years ago.
Netflix is gone, Spotify has been discontinued on the console, and Sony has set a date for ending new purchases on the PlayStation Store.
The PS3 still plays Blu-rays, streams your own media over a home network and accepts an SSD, and some physical games have become surprisingly expensive.
That makes it worth checking what the console can still do before you sell it, recycle it or leave it in a cupboard.
TL;DR: The most urgent job is checking your purchased library and downloading anything you want kept locally. PlayStation Store closures on PS3 begin in selected markets in August 2026, with most other markets scheduled for July 2027. After that, the PS3 still plays Blu-rays and DVDs, streams your own files over your network, and accepts an SSD. Check what your game shelf is worth before selling anything, because some rare discs have jumped in price. Netflix no longer works on it.
Things to do with an old PS3: what still works in 2026
The PS3 still plays discs, lets you redownload purchases and streams personal media, but most of its streaming apps are gone.
Netflix support ended on March 2, 2026, and Sony lists Spotify as unavailable since July 7, 2023.
Plex has also dropped its PS3 app, and card or PayPal payments stopped working on the console on October 27, 2021.
The Netflix icon may still be sitting on your home screen, and Sony’s own steps for removing it are to highlight it, press Triangle and choose Delete.
| Feature | Works | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | No | Support ended March 2, 2026 |
| Spotify | No | Unavailable since July 7, 2023 |
| Plex | No | Plex dropped its PS3 app |
| Blu-ray and DVD playback | Yes | Needs the latest system software |
| Redownloading purchases | Yes | Previously purchased content can still be downloaded, and Sony has not announced an end date |
| New PlayStation Store purchases | Depends on region | Closures started in selected markets in 2026, July 2027 for most others |
| Card or PayPal payments | No | Ended October 27, 2021, gift cards still work |
1. Check and download your purchased library before July 2027
Sony has scheduled the PS3 PlayStation Store closure for July 2027 in most countries, including the US. Check your purchased library now.
Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua close first, starting in August 2026, and other Latin American and Middle Eastern markets follow in late 2026.
Sony says previously purchased content stays downloadable for the foreseeable future, but that is not a permanent promise, so download what you want kept on the console.
On the console, go to PlayStation Network, then Account Management, then Transaction Management, then Download List.
Sign in first, and expect to need a Device Setup Password before the list will load.
To buy something new, add funds to your PlayStation wallet first, and Sony says PlayStation Store gift cards still work on PS3.
2. Use it as a Blu-ray and DVD player
The PS3 still plays Blu-ray discs, DVDs and CDs, provided its system software is up to date. The Sony update page says a renewed Blu-ray encryption key is needed, and the latest update supplies it.
There is one obvious limitation: the PS3 tops out at 1080p and will not play 4K discs.
Slim and Super Slim models cannot play PS2 discs either, so the console does not replace a PS2, which our old PS2 ideas guide covers.
3. Stream your own files from a PC
A PC running PS3 Media Server, or its fork Universal Media Server, can stream your videos, music and photos to the PS3 over your home network.
With Plex gone from the PS3, this is one of the easier routes, and the server can transcode some unsupported formats, including MKV files, depending on its configuration and the media involved.
On the console, turn on Media Server Connection under Settings, then Network Settings. The PC should then appear in the Video, Music and Photo menus.
If the PC does not show up, choose Search for Media Servers from any of the multimedia menus.
It also gives a spare TV in another room a source box, and our old TV ideas guide covers what else that screen can do.
4. Swap the hard drive for an SSD
The PS3 takes a 2.5-inch SATA drive that is 9.5mm thick, so an SSD within those limits fits.
The ConsoleMods wiki says the PS3 can technically support internal drives up to 1.75TB, but drives larger than 1TiB can break its filesystem recovery feature. A 1TB SSD is the safer choice unless you are comfortable with that limitation.
Do not expect a PC-style jump, because the PS3’s old SATA interface limits what an SSD can deliver.
Before swapping, sign in so your trophies sync, then use Settings, System Settings, Backup Utility to copy your data to a FAT32 USB drive.
An old external drive works if it is formatted FAT32, which Sony says the PS3 needs.
Afterward, the console asks for system software from a USB stick, and Sony’s update page has the file.
5. Check what your game shelf is worth
Some PS3 exclusives have climbed in price since Sony announced the store closure, but not all of them.
ComicBook reported in July 2026 that Puppeteer went from roughly $60 to $70 complete to over $200 on eBay. Folklore went from about $40 to $50 to between $120 and $150.
Mass-produced games like inFamous and inFamous 2 have not followed, based on early reports.
Complete copies with their original cases generally command more than loose discs.
Check sold listings, not asking prices, before deciding to sell or keep anything.
6. Reuse the DualShock 3 on a PC
Steam detects the DualShock 3 on its own, but PC Gamer notes that it does not support the gyro or the pressure-sensitive face buttons.
For those features, PC Gamer’s guide uses the DsHidMini driver, with BthPS3 for Bluetooth and SXS mode for Steam or emulators like RPCS3.
Android is less friendly, because the controller does not pair from Bluetooth settings.
A USB OTG cable works, and 8BitDo’s adapter manual lists Android 9 or later with OTG support.
7. See which of your games run in RPCS3
RPCS3 is an open-source PS3 emulator for PC, and on July 14, 2026 it said 2,681 of 3,559 tracked games were playable, about 75%. The list has kept growing since.
Playable means a game can be finished at acceptable performance without game-breaking bugs, and you can search the list on the RPCS3 website.
RPCS3’s quickstart page recommends a laptop CPU with at least eight cores and AVX-512, but that is a recommendation rather than a minimum requirement. Performance can vary significantly on weaker hardware.
RPCS3 does not provide games, so use the list to check titles from discs you own.
8. Sell it, after backing up
A standard working PS3 usually is not worth much, although prices vary by model and condition. Check completed sales on eBay, and download or back up your purchases before wiping the console.
Frequently asked questions
Does Netflix still work on a PS3?
No. Netflix support on the PS3 ended on March 2, 2026.
When does the PS3 store close?
The PlayStation Store on PS3 closes in July 2027 for most countries, including the US, while Mexico, Honduras and Nicaragua close from August 2026. Sony says purchased content stays downloadable for the foreseeable future.
Can I still play Blu-rays on a PS3?
Yes, once the latest system software is installed, because it renews the Blu-ray encryption key. The PS3 outputs up to 1080p and does not play 4K discs.
Can I use a credit card on the PS3 store?
No. Card and PayPal payments stopped working on PS3 on October 27, 2021, but PlayStation Store gift cards still work.
What SSD fits in a PS3?
A 2.5-inch SATA SSD that is 9.5mm thick or less fits. The console can technically handle up to 1.75TB, but drives above 1TiB can break filesystem recovery, so 1TB is the safer choice.
Where to start
Start with the Download List. The store closure is the one change you cannot get around by leaving the console in a drawer for another year.
The other uses will still be there when you feel like bringing the PS3 back out.
