What Happens After Your 7-Day PlayStation Plus Trial?

The allure of a free trial is undeniable, especially for a service as feature-rich as PlayStation Plus. If you’ve recently embarked on the 7-day free trial journey for PlayStation Plus Extra, Deluxe, or Premium, you’re likely wondering what happens once that trial period concludes. The short, crucial answer is this: your subscription will automatically convert into a recurring, paid subscription at the level you chose during sign-up, unless you manually cancel it before the trial expires. This means your chosen payment method will be charged according to the subscription’s schedule (monthly, quarterly, or yearly).

This automatic renewal system ensures uninterrupted access to all the benefits associated with your selected tier. However, it also means you need to be aware of the specific rules and features. This article provides a comprehensive overview of what to expect post-trial, alongside a range of frequently asked questions to address any lingering queries.

Understanding the Auto-Renewal

The key takeaway from the 7-day free trial is the automatic conversion to a paid subscription. If you don’t take any action, you are agreeing to move forward with a paid plan. So, if you signed up for the Premium plan with a monthly payment schedule and do not cancel before the trial ends, you will be charged the monthly premium fee. This applies to all available payment frequencies.

This is a standard practice for subscription services, but it’s crucial to understand your obligations to prevent unwanted charges. If you intend to discontinue using the service, it’s essential to cancel before the renewal date, which will be the seventh day from the trial activation. Failing to cancel will result in the automatic subscription payment being processed.

How to Track Your Renewal Date

Knowing when your trial period ends is fundamental to managing your subscription effectively. You can usually find the renewal date for your subscription in the Subscriptions Management section of Account Management on your PlayStation console or through the PlayStation website. Keeping track of this date will allow you to make an informed decision regarding your PlayStation Plus subscription without any unexpected payments.

What Happens If You Don’t Cancel?

If you let the trial expire without cancelling, you will begin a recurring paid subscription at the level chosen during sign-up (Extra, Deluxe, or Premium). The payment method you added during the trial sign-up will be charged automatically according to the schedule you chose (monthly, quarterly, or yearly). It is not possible to get a refund for a subscription if you forget to cancel in time and are charged. Therefore, vigilance is key when dealing with free trials that automatically convert to paid subscriptions.

Cancelling Your Subscription

Fortunately, you have full control over your subscription and can cancel it before the trial ends to avoid being charged. It’s a straightforward process, but you’ll want to ensure you do it correctly.

Steps to Cancel

1. Go to Settings on your PlayStation console.
2. Navigate to Account Management.
3. Select Account Information.
4. Go to PlayStation Subscriptions.
5. Choose the subscription you want to cancel.
6. Select Cancel Subscription.

You’ll likely receive a confirmation message, ensuring your cancellation is successful. You can also manage your subscription and cancel on the Playstation website if you don’t have access to your console. The important factor is that you must cancel before the trial ends to avoid charges.

Access After Cancellation

Even after cancelling your subscription, you’ll retain access to PlayStation Plus benefits for the duration of the free trial period. You won’t lose access instantly, but you won’t be charged for a recurring paid subscription.

Understanding PlayStation Plus Tiers

Understanding the different tiers is vital because your trial gives you access to specific benefits depending on the plan chosen, that you would have after the trial if you stay with it:

• PlayStation Plus Essential: This tier includes the bare essentials like online multiplayer access, monthly free games, and cloud storage for saved games.
• PlayStation Plus Extra: This tier incorporates all the benefits of the Essential tier and adds a catalog of hundreds of PS4 and PS5 games available to download.
• PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe: This is the most comprehensive tier, offering all the benefits of the other two tiers. It also includes access to a library of classic games from older consoles and game trials. The ‘Deluxe’ version might be used in regions where streaming of classics is not available.

The trial tier you sign up for impacts what content you experience during the trial, and the type of subscription you will get charged for if you do not cancel in time.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions to help clarify any further uncertainties surrounding the PlayStation Plus 7-day trial:

How many times can I use the PS Plus free trial?

Each person is generally eligible for only one free trial unless otherwise explicitly communicated by Sony. Attempts to repeatedly use free trials on new accounts are generally unsuccessful and can be seen as a misuse of the free trial. Sony does not permit fraud or misuse of content.

Do I lose the PS Plus games after the trial ends?

Yes, after your PlayStation Plus subscription ends (whether it’s the trial or a paid subscription), content you downloaded as part of the subscription (like monthly games) will no longer be accessible. You will also lose access to any game available through game catalogues of the Extra and Premium/Deluxe tiers. Access will be restored if you resubscribe. However, your cloud save files will be retained.

Can I permanently keep PS Plus games?

No, you cannot permanently keep games obtained through PS Plus unless they are games you have bought with any PlayStation Store discounts you get as a member, or are bought separate to your membership. You only have access to these games as long as you remain an active PlayStation Plus subscriber. Once your subscription expires, so does your access to those games.

Can I get a PS Plus trial again if I used one before?

Each person is eligible for only one free trial, generally. So, if you’ve used a free trial previously, it’s very unlikely you’ll be able to obtain another one with the same account or details.

How long do PS Plus game trials last?

The game trials available with PS Plus Premium/Deluxe offer varying playtime, usually between one and five hours on select PS4 and PS5 games. The game trial is a way to get access to complete games before buying them.

How long does a free PS Plus trial last?

The current standard free trial period for PlayStation Plus is seven days for new subscribers who meet the criteria.

What do I lose if I cancel PS Plus?

If you cancel your PS Plus subscription (including after the free trial), you will lose access to:
* Any monthly games you downloaded as part of the subscription.
* Games you downloaded from the PlayStation Extra/Premium catalogs.
* Online multiplayer for most games.
* Exclusive PS Plus discounts.
* Cloud storage for game saves.

You can regain access to these if you resubscribe.

Can I cancel a free trial without being charged?

Yes, you can cancel your free trial anytime before the 7-day period ends without being charged. If you cancel on day 6, you can still use the service until day 7 but will not be charged a recurring subscription fee.

Is PlayStation Now subscription free?

No, PlayStation Now is not a free service and it does not exist as a separate service anymore, it was absorbed into the new Playstation Plus tiers. It is an ongoing subscription with a recurring fee that is charged automatically until the subscription is cancelled. If you are looking to access PS Now games, you will need a subscription to one of the PlayStation Plus tiers.

How much does PS Plus cost?

The cost of PlayStation Plus varies depending on the chosen tier and payment frequency:

*   **PlayStation Plus Essential**: $9.99/£6.99 monthly, $24.99/£19.99 quarterly, or $59.99/£49.99 yearly.
*   **PlayStation Plus Extra**: $134.99 per year in most areas.
*   **PlayStation Plus Premium/Deluxe**: $18 monthly, $50 quarterly, or $160 yearly.

How do I start my 7-day trial on PS Plus?

To start your 7-day trial:

1. Create a new PlayStation Network account (if you do not have one).

2. Sign in on your console.

3. Open PlayStation Plus.

4. Click Subscribe.

5. Select your preferred Extra or Deluxe/Premium tier.

   If you qualify for the trial, you will be prompted to add a payment method and begin.

Can I share PS Plus with a friend on another console?

No, you cannot share your PlayStation Plus benefits with a friend on another console. You can only share them with accounts on one PS5 console that has Console Sharing and Offline Play activated, or on your primary PS4 console.

Do I have to pay every month for PS Plus?

No, you don’t have to pay monthly. You can choose to pay monthly, quarterly (every three months), or annually. The annual plan is usually more cost-effective if you plan to use the service consistently.

Does PlayStation have a student discount?

No, PlayStation does not currently offer a student discount. However, the PlayStation Store frequently features sales with up to 90% off selected games.

How do I cancel a 7-day trial?

Go to Settings > Account Management > Account Information > PlayStation Subscriptions. Select the subscription you want to cancel and then Cancel Subscription. Make sure you cancel before the trial ends to avoid being charged.

By understanding these details, you can navigate the world of PlayStation Plus with confidence and make informed choices about your gaming experience. Remember to track your trial period carefully and cancel before your renewal if you don’t wish to continue with a paid subscription.