Can You Have Two Accounts Activated as Primary on PS5? The Definitive Answer and FAQs

No, you cannot have two accounts simultaneously activated as primary on a single PS5 console. The PlayStation 5 system restricts the primary console designation to one account per console. This means that only one account can enjoy the benefits associated with having a primary console, such as offline play of purchased digital games for other users on that same console, and the ability to share PlayStation Plus benefits.

Understanding the Primary Console System on PS5

The primary console system on the PlayStation 5 is designed to provide a seamless experience for families or households where multiple users share a single console. It allows one account to designate a specific PS5 as its primary console, granting other users on that console access to certain features associated with that account, even when that primary account is not logged in. However, this functionality is limited to a single account for each console for security and licensing reasons.

Why Only One Primary Account?

The limitation of having only one primary account is largely due to digital rights management (DRM) and licensing agreements. Sony, like other platform holders, needs to protect the intellectual property of game developers and publishers. Allowing multiple primary accounts on one console could be easily exploited, leading to widespread game sharing beyond the intended scope, ultimately impacting revenue for developers and the PlayStation ecosystem as a whole.

Benefits of Having a Primary Account on PS5

Designating your account as primary on a PS5 unlocks several key advantages:

• Game Sharing: Other users on the same PS5 can play digital games purchased with the primary account, even when that account is not logged in.
• PlayStation Plus Sharing: If the primary account has an active PlayStation Plus subscription, other users on the console can enjoy online multiplayer access, cloud storage, and other PlayStation Plus benefits.
• Automatic Downloads and Updates: The primary console can automatically download game updates and new purchases, ensuring a smoother gaming experience.
• Access to Downloaded Content: Any DLC or add-ons purchased with the primary account can be accessed by other users on the console.

Disadvantages of Not Having a Primary Account

If your account is not set as the primary account on the PS5 you are using, you will encounter the following restrictions:

• Limited Offline Play: You may only be able to play games you’ve purchased while logged in and connected to the internet.
• No PlayStation Plus Sharing: You won’t be able to access PlayStation Plus benefits unless you have your own active subscription.
• Restricted Access to Content: You may not be able to access DLC or add-ons purchased with a different account.

Deactivating and Reactivating Your Primary Account

You can deactivate your primary console remotely through the Sony website if you no longer have access to the PS5. This is useful if your console is lost, stolen, or malfunctioning. To deactivate remotely, you need to sign in to your PlayStation Network account on a web browser and navigate to the account management settings. Note that there are limits on how frequently you can deactivate all consoles linked to your account within a given period.

Steps to Activate Your PS5 as Primary

1. Log in: Sign in to your PlayStation Network account on the PS5 you wish to designate as primary.
2. Go to Settings: From the main menu, navigate to Settings.
3. User and Accounts: Select User and Accounts.
4. Other: Choose Other.
5. Console Sharing and Offline Play: Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
6. Enable: Choose Enable.

Steps to Deactivate Your PS5 as Primary

1. Log in: Sign in to your PlayStation Network account on the PS5 you wish to deactivate.
2. Go to Settings: From the main menu, navigate to Settings.
3. User and Accounts: Select User and Accounts.
4. Other: Choose Other.
5. Console Sharing and Offline Play: Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
6. Disable: Choose Disable.

Troubleshooting Common Primary Account Issues

• “Cannot Activate as Primary”: This often occurs if you have already activated another PS5 as primary or if you have recently deactivated consoles. Wait a period of time before attempting to activate again, or deactivate other consoles via the Sony website.
• Games Locked: If games are locked even though your account is supposed to be primary, ensure that the console is connected to the internet and that the licenses are restored. Go to Settings > User and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
• PlayStation Plus Benefits Not Sharing: Verify that your PlayStation Plus subscription is active and that Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled on the primary account.

The Importance of Understanding Account Security

Protecting your PlayStation Network account is paramount. Always use a strong, unique password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) to prevent unauthorized access. Phishing scams are common, so be wary of suspicious emails or messages asking for your login credentials. Regularly review your account activity to detect any unusual behavior. Keeping your account secure safeguards your purchases, personal information, and prevents potential misuse of your primary console status. You can also learn a lot about security through gaming, to which the Games Learning Society contributes significantly with its research in games for education. Explore more at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I have one account as primary on PS5 and another on PS4 simultaneously?

Yes, you can have one account set as primary on a PS5 and another PS4 at the same time. The primary status is console-specific.

2. How many times can I change my primary PS5?

You can deactivate all consoles tied to your account and then activate a new one a limited number of times within a certain period. Be mindful of these limitations to avoid being locked out of activating a new primary console.

3. What happens if I forget to deactivate my primary PS5 before selling it?

You should deactivate your primary console before selling it to prevent the buyer from accessing your games and account information. If you forget, you can deactivate all consoles remotely through the Sony website.

4. Can I share my digital games with someone who lives in a different household?

The primary console system is designed for users within the same household. Sharing games with someone in a different location by sharing your account credentials violates Sony’s terms of service and could result in account suspension.

5. Is it safe to share my account with a friend to share games?

Sharing your account credentials with anyone is generally discouraged due to security risks. It’s better to utilize the primary console system within your own household.

6. Can I have my account as primary on two different PS5 consoles by creating two different profiles?

No, even with different profiles on the same console, only one account can be the primary account for that console.

7. What if my friend sets my account as primary on their PS5 without my permission?

Change your password immediately and enable two-factor authentication. Then, deactivate all consoles through the Sony website to prevent further unauthorized access.

8. Does having PlayStation Plus Essential affect the ability to share games as a primary account?

PlayStation Plus Essential is required for online play, but the ability to share games via the primary account system is independent of your PS Plus tier. It works the same with all PlayStation Plus tiers (Essential, Extra, and Premium).

9. If I upgrade to PlayStation Plus Premium, will other users on my primary console get those benefits?

Yes, if your account is primary on a PS5 and you upgrade to PlayStation Plus Premium, other users on that console will also have access to benefits such as cloud streaming and the game catalog.

10. I changed my password; do I need to reactivate my PS5 as the primary console?

Changing your password doesn’t automatically deactivate your PS5 as the primary console. You only need to reactivate if you manually deactivated it or performed a factory reset.

11. Can I buy games on one account and play them on another account on the same PS5 without the primary console setting?

You can only play games purchased on another account if that account has designated the console as its primary console, or if the account is actively logged in and playing the game.

12. How do I restore licenses on my PS5 if my games are locked?

Go to Settings > User and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This will verify your game licenses with the PlayStation Network and unlock your games.

13. Can I use the PlayStation App to manage my primary console settings?

No, the PlayStation App does not allow you to manage primary console settings. You need to do this directly on the PS5 console or through the Sony website.

14. If my account is banned, what happens to the other users on my primary console?

If the primary account is banned, other users on the console will likely lose access to the benefits shared through that account, such as digital games and PlayStation Plus features.

15. Is there a way to share my save data between accounts on the same PS5 without using PlayStation Plus cloud storage?

While you can copy save data to a USB drive and transfer it to another account on the same PS5, this requires the originating account to perform the copy. Game-specific restrictions might also apply preventing the copying of saved data.