Can You Family Share PS4 and PS5? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you absolutely can family share on both PS4 and PS5, though the methods and limitations differ slightly between the two consoles. Sharing allows family members to access games and PlayStation Plus benefits purchased by a primary account on other consoles within the same household. This can save money and allow everyone to enjoy a wider range of gaming experiences. However, it’s crucial to understand how account sharing and console sharing work on each system to maximize the benefits while adhering to PlayStation’s terms of service. This article delves into the specifics of sharing on both platforms, addressing common questions and concerns.
Understanding Console and Account Sharing
Sharing on PlayStation 4 (PS4)
The PS4 utilizes a primary console system to enable sharing. You can designate one PS4 console as the primary PS4 for your PlayStation Network (PSN) account. When you do this, any user on that console can play games that the primary account has purchased and can also access some of the benefits of a PlayStation Plus membership associated with that account, even when the primary account user is not logged in.
- Primary PS4: Users on this console can play your games and access PS Plus benefits without your account being signed in.
- Secondary PS4: You can log into your PSN account on another PS4 (a secondary console) and play games you own. However, you must be signed in, and only your account can play the games on that console. You can only be actively logged into one PS4 console at a time.
Sharing on PlayStation 5 (PS5)
The PS5 operates on a similar but more streamlined sharing system. With a feature called Console Sharing and Offline Play, you designate a PS5 as the primary console for your account. This enables:
- Game Sharing: Anyone using that primary PS5 can play the games you’ve purchased and downloaded, regardless of whether your account is logged in.
- Offline Play: Games are playable even when the console is offline.
- PS Plus Benefits: Users on the primary console can access certain benefits of your PlayStation Plus membership, like online multiplayer.
- Simultaneous Play Limitations: Similar to PS4, you can’t log into the same PSN account simultaneously on two different PS5 consoles.
The Key Difference
The critical takeaway is that on both systems, the primary console setup allows multiple users to access content purchased by the primary account holder. However, you can only designate one primary console per account at a time. Additionally, you can play games on secondary consoles, but that requires your primary account to be actively logged in to the system.
Setting Up Family Sharing
Setting up family sharing involves creating the necessary PSN accounts and designating primary consoles. Here are the basic steps:
- Create Accounts: Each family member should ideally have their own separate PSN account. If a child is under 18, they’ll need a child account linked to an adult’s account (family manager).
- Log In: Log into the PS4 or PS5 that you want to set as the primary console with the account holding the games and PS Plus subscription.
- Activate Primary Console:
- PS4: Navigate to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
- PS5: Navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play and enable the setting.
- Sign into Secondary Consoles: Log into secondary consoles with the same account to enable access, as explained above, but remember that you can only be logged into one system at a time.
- Sign into Other User Accounts: The other family members can now sign into their individual PSN accounts on the primary console to access the games and PS Plus features available to them.
Additional Tips and Considerations
- One Primary Console Per Account: Remember, each account can have only one primary console of each type (one primary PS4 and one primary PS5).
- Account Security: Never share your account details, including your password. This is a breach of PlayStation’s Terms of Service and can lead to account compromises.
- Family Management: Utilize the Family Management feature on PSN to create and manage family member accounts, including setting spending limits and parental controls.
- Internet Connection: Secondary consoles require an internet connection to verify game licenses. The primary console does not.
- Gamesharing Limitations: While gamesharing is possible between PS4 and PS5, it is not possible to download and play PS5 games on a PS4. This is due to fundamental hardware differences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I share my PlayStation Plus subscription with family?
Yes, if you designate a console as the primary console for your account with PS Plus, others using that console can utilize some of the PS Plus benefits, such as online multiplayer access.
2. Can a family share a PSN account?
Technically, a family can share games by using a primary account and accessing them on another users account through a primary console, but they should not share passwords or log-in details. The primary account should be used to purchase games and manage console sharing, while each family member should have their own separate PSN accounts.
3. Can you have two PS5 consoles in one house with the same account?
Yes, but only one PS5 can be activated as the primary console for your account. The other can access games you own but requires your account to be signed in.
4. How many PS4 consoles can be activated on one account?
Only one PS4 can be activated as the primary PS4 for a given account at a time.
5. Can I share my PS5 account with someone outside my household?
While it’s technically possible, doing so is a breach of the PlayStation terms of service and is not recommended. It can lead to account bans.
6. Can I play the same game on PS4 and PS5 simultaneously using the same PSN account?
Yes, you can play games using the same account simultaneously on both the PS4 and PS5 but not PS5 to PS5, or PS4 to PS4. You can log into both at the same time, but cannot log into 2 of the same system.
7. Do I need to have PlayStation Plus to share my games?
Not necessarily. PS Plus is required for online multiplayer and certain features, but sharing downloaded games on a primary console does not require PS Plus.
8. Can I share a digital game from my PS5 with a friend on their PS4?
No, the PS4 cannot directly play PS5 games and vice versa. You cannot share a game between PS5 and PS4 if the game is designated as a PS5 exclusive. However, you can share games within the same console family.
9. How many users can log into a PS4 or PS5 at the same time?
Up to four users can log into a PS4 simultaneously. While multiple users can be added to a PS5, only one user can play at a time, unless on a secondary console as the primary user.
10. Can I have multiple accounts on one PS5?
Yes, you can have multiple user accounts on a single PS5. This includes adult and child accounts.
11. Does each family member need a PlayStation account?
Yes, each family member should have their own unique PSN account, especially for online play and to maintain their game progress.
12. What happens if someone logs into my account on another console?
If someone else logs into your account on another console (when you are already logged into one), you will be logged out on the console you were using. Account logins cannot be done simultaneously across the same type of console.
13. Can child accounts purchase content?
Child accounts can be set up with spending limits, which allows them to purchase content with your approval.
14. Is console sharing bannable?
Console sharing within the same household is not bannable. Sharing accounts with people not in your household is a breach of the terms of service and can lead to bans.
15. Can I share a PS4 game with a family member who has a PS5?
Yes, you can share PS4 games with a family member on a PS5 by using the primary account holder’s account on the PS5.
By understanding the rules and capabilities surrounding family sharing on PS4 and PS5, families can effectively enjoy their games together while respecting the terms of service and maintaining account security. Always remember to prioritize creating unique profiles for each family member and never share passwords.