Sony is exploring a new way for players to pay for games and other digital content. Instead of typing card details, a player could simply tap a device to complete a purchase. A newly published patent describes a PlayStation controller that could receive payment details from nearby devices and pass them to the connected console.

Sony titled the filing “Video Game Controller-Driven Information Transfer.” Sony filed it in March 2025, and it went public on September 17, 2026. Moreover, it describes NFC and Bluetooth for linking the controller with a phone, card or other device.

Under the proposed system, a player would see a payment prompt on the PlayStation. The player could then tap a phone, credit card or gift card against the controller. Meanwhile, the controller would send the payment information to the console for processing.

Sony also lists digital wallets, bank accounts and gift cards as possible payment methods. Therefore, the technology could cover game purchases, in-game content and gaming credits. In practice, the console would handle the actual processing.

The patent goes beyond payments. Players could also transfer account information, join multiplayer sessions, or move clips between a console and phone. Furthermore, that would turn the controller into a link between the console and a player’s other devices. Such features could make everyday tasks like sharing gameplay clips much quicker.

However, this is only a patent application at this stage. Sony has not announced plans to add the feature to the PS5, PS6 or any existing PlayStation controller. Still, many patents never reach store shelves, so fans should stay cautious.

The current PS5 DualSense controller does not have the NFC hardware described in the patent. A future controller will likely have one. For now, the filing offers only a glimpse of what Sony is considering.

Players interested in the feature will therefore need to wait for official news from Sony. Finally, Sony has shared no release timeline for such a feature.