How to Start Share Play on PS5: A Comprehensive Guide
The PlayStation 5’s Share Play feature is a fantastic way to experience games with friends, even when you’re not in the same room. It essentially allows you to hand over control of your game to another player, letting them experience the thrill of your adventure firsthand. So, how exactly do you kick off a Share Play session on your PS5? Here’s a straightforward guide:
- Start a Party: First, press the PS button on your controller to access the Control Center. Navigate to the Party card and either create a new party or join an existing one with the friend you want to share with.
- Initiate Share Play: Within the Party voice chat card, you’ll see the option to Start Share Play. Select it.
- Invite a Friend: You will then need to choose the friend you want to share your game with from the list of party members. Once you select a friend, they will receive an invitation.
- Accept and Start Sharing: Your friend needs to accept the Share Play invitation. Once they accept, you’re good to go! They will be able to see your game screen on their console, as if they were right next to you.
It’s important to remember that both you and your friend must have PlayStation Plus to use the Share Play feature, depending on the type of gameplay you want to share. The level of PS Plus subscription can also impact what functionality of Share Play is enabled.
Understanding the Different Modes of Share Play
Share Play offers three different modes, and they are not all the same:
- Share Screen: This mode allows your friend to watch your gameplay, but they don’t get to control anything. This mode does not require both players to have PlayStation Plus.
- Visitor Plays As You: This mode lets your friend take control of your game, playing as you. Both players need PlayStation Plus to engage in this kind of session. This is ideal for helping a friend get past a difficult part of the game.
- Play a Game Together: This mode allows two players to play a local multiplayer game together, even if the guest player doesn’t own the game. This mode also requires PlayStation Plus for both players. It is a great way to experience coop games, together.
Share Play Limitations
Keep in mind that not all games support the Share Play feature. Also, depending on the game, specific scenes might not be visible to the guest player due to restrictions. Additionally, a stable internet connection is crucial for a smooth Share Play experience.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the most common questions about using Share Play on the PlayStation 5:
1. Do Both Players Need PlayStation Plus to Use Share Play?
Yes, both the host and the guest player need a PlayStation Plus subscription to take advantage of all Share Play features like giving controller access or playing a game together. However, If you are only sharing your screen with your friend so that they can watch, then neither of you will need a subscription.
2. Can I Share Play PS5 Games with a PS4 Player?
No, Share Play is limited to the same console generation. You can only Share Play with other PS5 users. PS4 users are unable to participate in Share Play on PS5.
3. Can I Share Play a Game if My Friend Doesn’t Own It?
Yes, with the ‘Play a Game Together’ mode, you can share your game with a friend, even if they do not own a copy of it. However, both of you will still need an active PS Plus subscription to do this.
4. What is the Internet Connection Requirement for Share Play?
The minimum recommended connection speed is 5 Mbps for both upload and download speeds. A stronger and more stable internet connection will provide a smoother and higher-quality experience. You can test your connection speed by navigating to Settings → Network → Connection Status on your PS5.
5. Can I Use Share Play with a PC or Laptop?
No, Share Play is designed for PS5 consoles only. However, you can use Remote Play to stream your PS5 to a PC or laptop. This will allow you to control your PS5 from those devices but will not give you the functionality of Share Play.
6. How Do I Improve the Connection for Share Play?
To ensure the best experience, use a wired ethernet connection if possible. This will typically provide better speeds and stability than using Wi-Fi. Also, make sure that there aren’t any other large devices using up your internet bandwidth at the same time.
7. Is There a Time Limit for Share Play?
Yes, there is a time limit. Share Play sessions will end after one hour. However, you can start a new session afterwards. This is typically done to prevent the sharing of a game indefinitely.
8. Why Can’t I Start Share Play?
There could be a few reasons you can’t initiate Share Play:
* Make sure both you and the friend you want to share with have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
* Check if you and your friend have the latest PlayStation software update.
* The game you are trying to play may not support Share Play at all.
* Check if the other player’s parental settings are enabled, and disallow them from connecting through Share Play.
9. What Happens If I Lose Connection During Share Play?
If your connection drops during a session, the Share Play session will end, and both players will be taken back to their respective home screens. You’ll need to initiate a new session to start sharing again.
10. Can I Use Share Play for All Games?
No, not all games support the Share Play feature. Some games have restrictions, and some scenes may not appear to the guest player, based on game publisher restrictions.
11. Can I Share My Game With Multiple Friends Simultaneously?
No, Share Play only supports one guest player at a time. You cannot share your screen or gameplay with more than one person during a session.
12. Does Share Play Affect My Game Save Files?
No, your save files are not affected by Share Play. Your game progress is saved as normal on your console. The remote player is only interacting with a copy of your game.
13. Can I Broadcast My Share Play Session?
No, you can’t directly broadcast a Share Play session to streaming platforms like Twitch or YouTube. However, the person viewing your screen may be able to broadcast this on their side, if the platform they use, allows it.
14. How Do I Stop a Share Play Session?
To end a Share Play session, simply press the PS button and navigate to the Party card, then select the Share Play option again and select End Share Play. Alternatively, your friend can also end the session on their side.
15. Can I Use a Different Account to Share Play?
You can only share play using your PSN account, if you want to share a game that you are currently playing. Alternatively, you can allow a user to play using their own PSN account. However, this will not give you the function of sharing your gameplay as a secondary user.
By understanding these steps and frequently asked questions, you’ll be well-equipped to take full advantage of the PS5 Share Play feature. It’s a fantastic way to connect with your friends and share the exciting world of gaming together!