Can I Share My PS Plus With Family? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you can share your PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) subscription with family members, but the extent of sharing depends on your family setup and which console(s) you own. PS Plus benefits are mainly shared on a console level, not an individual account level across multiple consoles. This guide dives deep into the specifics of how this sharing works, covering everything from family management features to console activation limits. Get ready to understand the ins and outs of PS Plus family sharing!
Understanding PS Plus Sharing: The Basics
The core concept to grasp is the “primary console” setting. A PS5 or PS4 can be designated as the primary console for a particular PlayStation Network (PSN) account. When an account with an active PS Plus subscription designates a console as its primary, other accounts on that same console can access certain PS Plus benefits.
Think of it like this: the primary console unlocks some PS Plus features for everyone using that console. However, this doesn’t extend to other consoles. If you have multiple PS4s or PS5s, each will need its own primary account with PS Plus to grant those benefits to all users on that specific console.
Family Management Features: Keeping Everyone Safe
Sony offers family management features that are crucial for families with children using PlayStation consoles. As the family manager, you have control over your child’s account, including setting spending limits, managing playtime, and restricting access to certain content.
If you have a PS Plus subscription, you can share some of its benefits with child family members on one PS5 console and one PS4 console. This means that if a child account is part of your PlayStation family and is using the primary console, they can enjoy online multiplayer (where applicable), download monthly games (though their access is limited), and receive other shared benefits.
Primary Account and Console Activation Limits: What You Need to Know
You can only activate one PS4 system per account. The same holds true for the PS5. This limitation is key to understanding how PS Plus sharing works. Your PS Plus benefits are tied to the account that has the subscription, and that account can only designate one console of each generation (PS4 or PS5) as its primary.
While you can log in to your account on multiple consoles, only the primary console will share the PS Plus benefits with other accounts on that system.
What Benefits Are Shared?
When sharing PS Plus on a primary console, other accounts on that console typically gain access to these features:
- Online Multiplayer: This is a big one! Allows all users on the primary console to play online multiplayer games.
- Downloaded Monthly Games: While the child account can download the games, access depends on age restrictions and parental controls. If the game is outside the child’s age range, they won’t be able to play it. Keep in mind that these games are only playable with an active PS Plus subscription.
- Cloud Storage for Game Saves: Allows users to back up their game saves to the cloud, which is great for preventing data loss.
- Share Play: This feature allows you to invite a friend to play a local multiplayer game online, even if they don’t own the game themselves.
Limitations of PS Plus Sharing
It’s crucial to be aware of the limitations. Here’s what isn’t shared across multiple consoles:
- Access to the PS Plus Game Catalog (Extra and Premium Tiers): This is the biggest limitation. The game catalog, available in the Extra and Premium tiers, is tied to the account that has the subscription and is not shared with other accounts on secondary consoles.
- Classic Games (Premium Tier): Similar to the game catalog, access to classic games is exclusive to the account with the Premium subscription.
- Exclusive Discounts on the PlayStation Store: While all users on the primary console can access PSN, only the account with the PS Plus subscription receives exclusive discounts.
Setting Up PS Plus Sharing: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s how to maximize PS Plus sharing:
- Log in to the PS4/PS5: Log in to the PS4 or PS5 you want to designate as the primary console using the account that has the PS Plus subscription.
- Activate as Primary:
- On PS4: Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 > Activate.
- On PS5: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play > Enable.
- Create Family Accounts: If you haven’t already, create accounts for your family members and add them to your PlayStation family.
- Adjust Parental Controls: Customize the parental controls for each child account to ensure they have a safe and age-appropriate gaming experience.
What About the Future of PS Plus?
Sony is continuously evolving its services, so it’s important to stay updated on any changes to PS Plus and its sharing policies. Always check the official PlayStation website for the latest information. The Games Learning Society also provides great insights into gaming trends and policies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about sharing PS Plus with family, along with detailed answers:
1. Can two users share PlayStation Plus on different consoles?
No, you cannot directly share PS Plus benefits across different consoles. Benefits can only be shared from the primary account to other accounts on the same console. To enable PS Plus benefits on multiple PS4s or PS5s, you need separate accounts with PS Plus subscriptions for each extra console.
2. Do I need PlayStation Plus for each family member?
Not necessarily. If all family members are using the same PS4 or PS5, and your PS Plus account is set as the primary account on that console, the other accounts on that console will get PS Plus access through your primary account. However, each console needs a primary account with PS Plus for this to work.
3. Do I need another PlayStation Plus activation for a second PS4 account on the same console?
No, if you are using the same PS4 and it is set as the primary console for your PS Plus account, any other accounts on that PS4 will automatically receive PS Plus access through your primary account.
4. Does each user need a PlayStation account?
Yes, each user needs a PlayStation account to access the PlayStation Network and use the console. To create accounts for your children, you must first have your own account. Each child under 18 requires a separate child account for online services.
5. Do you need PS Plus to share play?
Only the host (the person initiating the Share Play session) needs to be a PlayStation Plus member. The visitor doesn’t need PS Plus to participate.
6. How many PS4s can be activated on one account?
You can activate only one PS4 system as the primary console for your account. The same applies to PS5.
7. Can you have multiple accounts under one PlayStation account?
Yes, you can have your PS4 or PS5 set as the primary system for multiple accounts at once. This means different users can log in and use the console with their individual profiles.
8. What happens if you buy PS Plus when you already have it?
If you buy a new PS Plus membership while you already have one, the new membership will start automatically when your current membership expires. You won’t lose any time.
9. Can you keep PS Plus games forever?
No, PS Plus Extra and Premium games are not yours forever. They are part of a catalog that you can access as long as you maintain your subscription. Once your subscription ends, you will lose access to these games.
10. Do I lose my games if I cancel PlayStation Plus?
Once your PlayStation Plus subscription ends, content you downloaded for free as part of the subscription (like monthly games) will no longer be available. However, any games you purchased with a PS Plus discount are yours to keep.
11. Can you reverse a PS Plus subscription?
After purchasing a subscription through the PlayStation Store, you have 14 days to request a refund. However, the refund amount may be reduced based on how much you have used the service.
12. Can I play the same game on two different PS4s?
Yes, if you buy a digital game with your PSN account, you can log in to a second PS4 with your account and play it. However, you can only designate one of these consoles as your primary.
13. Can I log into someone else’s PS4 and play my games?
Yes, you can log into someone else’s PS4 with your account, download your games, and play them. This does not affect your primary console setting unless you change it manually.
14. How many accounts can you share games with on PS4?
You can authorize a friend’s PS4 as your primary console and share games with them. Two people can play these shared games at the same time.
15. Is PS Plus going up in price?
Yes, Sony has announced price increases for the PS Plus subscription tiers. It’s important to check the current prices on the PlayStation Store to stay informed.
Final Thoughts
Sharing PS Plus with family can be a great way to save money and allow everyone to enjoy the benefits of the service. By understanding the primary console concept, family management features, and the limitations of sharing, you can create a gaming setup that works best for your family. Remember to check out GamesLearningSociety.org for more information on gaming and education. Enjoy gaming with your family!