How To Make Your PS5 Account Secondary: A Comprehensive Guide

Making your PlayStation 5 (PS5) account secondary isn’t a direct action you take on your own account. Instead, it’s about designating another PS5 console as your primary console, and in doing so, your current console effectively becomes secondary in relation to your account. This might sound a bit confusing, but it’s a crucial concept when you want to share games or PlayStation Plus benefits.

Essentially, a “secondary” console means that the user can access content purchased on an account only while that account is logged in. It does not allow the other profiles on that console to access the games and benefits of the “primary” account.

Here’s a breakdown of the process, focusing on how it all works together:

1. Understand the Concept of Primary PS5: Your PlayStation Network (PSN) account can be designated as primary on only one PS5 console at a time. The primary console is where your account has the most access and privileges. Other users on that same primary console can also access the games and Playstation Plus benefits associated with your account.

2. The Impact of Changing Primary: When you designate a new PS5 console as your primary, your previous PS5 effectively becomes secondary in relation to your account. This change will affect access to your content and gamesharing capabilities.

3. How to “Make Your Account Secondary”: To effectively make your current console secondary in terms of the PSN account in question, you need to activate another PS5 console as the primary console for that PSN account. Let’s go through the step-by-step process on your new primary console, to help you better understand the steps needed:

• Sign in to the PSN Account on the New PS5: Boot up the console that you want to be the primary console, and sign in with the PSN account that you want to use to share with other profiles on the console.
• Activate as Primary PS5: Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
• Select Enable: Toggle the Console Sharing and Offline Play setting to Enable. This activates this console as the primary for your account. This console will now be able to access content and gamesharing benefits of this PSN account without being logged in directly to the profile.
• The Result: The PS5 that previously had your account designated as primary is now a secondary PS5 for that specific account, limiting how the games and benefits can be used. Other user accounts on the now secondary console will have access to this account’s content only while logged in to that specific account.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Primary and Secondary PS5 Accounts

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help you better understand primary and secondary PS5 accounts:

What are Primary and Secondary Accounts on the PS5?

A primary account designation on PS5 allows any other user on that console to access the games and PlayStation Plus benefits associated with that account even if not logged in to it directly. A secondary account on a PS5 console, by contrast, means that all content associated with that account is only accessible while that specific account is logged in.

Can Two PS5 Consoles Have the Same Primary Account?

No, absolutely not. You can only designate one PS5 console as primary for a single PSN account at any time. This limitation is in place to manage game sharing and access to digital content.

Can Two PSN Accounts Share Games on a Single PS5?

Yes, you can. With Console Sharing and Offline Play activated on your primary PS5, all user accounts on that primary console can access games purchased through your PSN account and enjoy your Playstation Plus benefits. This is known as gamesharing.

How Many Accounts Can I Have on a PS5?

You can create and save many different user profiles on a single PS5 console. However, only one PSN account can have its content actively shared on a single console at one time. Other user accounts will need to be logged in directly to access their games and benefits on a console which is not designated as their primary PS5 console.

Can I Play Games Offline on a Secondary PS5?

Yes, you can, but there’s a catch. While logged into the account whose games you want to access, you can play offline on a secondary PS5. However, other users on the same secondary console will not be able to access the games while playing on another profile.

What Happens to Games on a Secondary PS5 When Switching Primary PS5s?

When you switch primary PS5s, the previous PS5 becomes secondary and all users who were accessing the content from this account will no longer be able to play the games unless they sign directly in to that account.

How Often Can I Change My Primary PS5?

You can change your primary PS5 as many times as you wish, but you must make the change directly in the PS5 settings. This should be done carefully, to avoid any issues with shared content between profiles and consoles.

Can I Transfer Games Between PSN Accounts?

No. Games and other digital content cannot be transferred between PSN accounts, so games purchased under your account will not be transferred to another user’s profile. You can, however, make these games available for other user accounts on your primary console.

What Does “Console Sharing and Offline Play” Mean?

Console Sharing and Offline Play is a setting that allows the sharing of games and PlayStation Plus benefits between user accounts on a primary PS5 console. It also permits the account holder to play their purchased content on the console when they are not connected to the internet.

What’s the Difference Between a Master Account and a Sub Account?

A master account is a full PSN account that has complete access to all features, content, and parental control settings. A sub account is created for children and has restricted access based on the master account’s parental controls. However, sub accounts can be upgraded to full master accounts when they reach a certain age.

Can I Upgrade a Sub Account to a Master Account on PS5?

Yes, you can. Sub accounts can be upgraded to master accounts when they reach a specific age, typically when the user is considered to be an adult. The process can be initiated through your PSN account settings online or on the console itself.

How Do I Set Up a Child Account on PS5?

To set up a child account, go to Family Management in the PSN account settings, and follow the prompts to create a new user account for your child. You’ll need to provide a date of birth, email address, and set parental controls.

What Happens if I Have Multiple PS4 and PS5 Consoles?

Each PSN account can have one primary PS4 and one primary PS5 console. If you have multiple consoles, you need to manage your primary console status carefully for each account. However, games cannot be transferred between consoles without using the same PSN account.

Can I Share PlayStation Plus with a Friend on Another PS5?

Yes, you can, but only indirectly. By setting their console as the primary console for your account, you allow them access to your PlayStation Plus benefits and games. Be warned though: this means that your own console becomes secondary and that you will only have access to these benefits while logged in directly to your account on your own console.

Can Parental Control Lock Games Even On The Primary Console?

Yes, absolutely. Even on your primary console, parental controls can block games if the settings do not allow a game to be accessed. This is indicated with a padlock icon on the game tile. This is often used to restrict access to mature games for younger user accounts.

Conclusion

Understanding the concepts of primary and secondary accounts on your PS5 is key to managing your games, content sharing, and PlayStation Plus benefits effectively. While you can’t directly “make your account secondary” on your console, you achieve this by designating another PS5 as primary for your account. By following this guide and taking advantage of the answers in the FAQs, you can ensure a smoother gaming experience across multiple consoles and user profiles. Remember to manage your console settings carefully to maximize your game library and all of the PSN benefits.