How Many Users Can You Have on One PS4?
The PlayStation 4 is a fantastic console for solo and multiplayer gaming, but understanding its user limitations can be tricky. Let’s cut straight to the chase: you can have up to 16 user profiles on a single PlayStation 4 console. However, there’s a crucial distinction: only 7 of these can be PlayStation Network (PSN) accounts registered to the system. This means that while you can have up to 16 distinct user profiles, only 7 of them can access online features, purchases, and have a unique online presence through a PSN account. The rest would be local offline profiles. This seemingly small nuance impacts how families, roommates, and other shared living situations manage their gaming experiences on one device. It’s essential to understand this limitation to properly manage your PS4’s user environment.
Understanding User Profiles on PS4
A user profile on the PS4 is essentially a saved data space for each individual. It remembers personal settings, game progress, and saved games for each person using the console. Whether it’s a PSN account or a local offline profile, these settings are associated with the specific user. The distinction between the two account types matters most when accessing online services and purchases.
A PlayStation Network account is a connected online profile that grants access to various PSN services. These accounts allow you to purchase games from the PlayStation Store, play online multiplayer games, access cloud saves, and manage your friend lists. Every PSN account is linked to an email address and a unique PSN ID. If you have reached the maximum number of PSN accounts, additional profiles will have to be offline-only, and cannot access any online features or PSN services.
Active Users at One Time
While you can have up to 16 user profiles (7 with PSN accounts), only four users can be actively logged in at the same time on a PS4. This means that while many people can have profiles on the system, only a maximum of four users can actually use the console simultaneously with their specific accounts. When multiple users are logged in, pressing the PS button on the controller will take that particular user to their designated home screen. Each logged-in user will be identified with a unique color assigned to their controller, further allowing for differentiation between players.
Why These Limitations Exist
These limitations are designed to manage resources and user experience within the PS4 ecosystem effectively. Limiting the number of simultaneous logins helps maintain performance while ensuring that every user’s game progress, settings, and saved data are kept separate and secure. The limitation on PSN accounts is intended to control how many individual online accounts are associated with a single console.
FAQs: PS4 Users and Accounts
To further clarify the details about managing users on your PS4, here are some Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Can I play games with more than 4 players on the PS4?
While the PS4 only allows four controllers simultaneously, some games may support more players through different means, such as local cooperative play with limited controllers or utilizing the PlayStation Camera for player tracking. However, standard controller-based gameplay is limited to 4 active users.
2. Can multiple people use a single PlayStation Plus subscription?
Yes! PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) can be shared among all user profiles on a single PS4, provided that the PS Plus account is set as the primary account for that console. This is done by going to Settings -> PlayStation Network/Account Management -> Activate as Your Primary PS4.
3. How do I share PS Plus with other users on my PS4?
To share PS Plus, the account with the active subscription must set that PS4 as its primary console. Any other user profile on that console will then have access to the benefits associated with the PS Plus account, including online play, cloud saves, and access to PS Plus monthly games.
4. Can I share games with my friends on their PS4?
Yes, you can share digital games via the primary console feature. You can set a friend’s console as the primary for your account, allowing them to play any games you’ve digitally purchased. Keep in mind, only one friend can do this for your account at a time.
5. Can two people play a shared game at the same time?
Yes, two people can play a shared digital game simultaneously by having each account activated as the primary account on separate PS4 consoles. It’s a great way to share your library and play together.
6. What is Share Play?
Share Play allows you to invite a friend to view your screen for up to 60 minutes. It also lets you “hand over” your controller to them for remote play, allowing a friend to play your game remotely. This is not traditional multi-player gaming, but a way to share gameplay experiences.
7. How many controllers can I connect to my PS4?
The PS4 supports a maximum of four controllers connected at the same time. This limitation is consistent across all games and applications that use controllers.
8. How do I set up multiple players on a PS4?
Simply log in with each user’s profile, and then each person will have their own unique settings, saved data, and game progress. For local multiplayer games, each player needs to connect their controller.
9. Can I switch between different user accounts?
Yes, you can switch between accounts on a PS4 whenever needed. To do so, navigate to the Quick Menu, accessible by holding down the PS button on your controller, and selecting “Switch User.”
10. Can I have a family account on PS4?
The closest to a “family account” is using the PS4’s primary console system. The primary account holder sets their PS4 as the primary console, granting other accounts on the same PS4 access to the purchased games and PS Plus features. This manages content sharing rather than being a designated “family account”.
11. How many games can I store on a PS4?
The number of games you can store depends on your PS4’s hard drive size and the size of the games you download. A 500GB hard drive typically holds around 12 full games on average, with room for various smaller games or updates. Larger hard drive sizes allow for more storage.
12. Can I use a TV remote to control my PS4?
Yes, you can use a TV remote to control your PS4 if your TV supports HDMI Device Link. You’ll need to enable this in your PS4’s system settings. Some universal Bluetooth remotes can also connect to your console.
13. What does the blinking orange light on my PS4 controller mean?
A blinking orange light on your PS4 controller indicates that it is charging in rest mode. If the controller isn’t charging, make sure to check your power settings for USB ports in rest mode.
14. Why is my PS4 controller showing a blue light?
The “blue light of death” is a common issue that means your controller is having a software issue or a faulty power or HDMI cable.
15. Can I use a PS5 controller on a PS4?
No. While the PS5 DualSense controller has similarities to the PS4’s DualShock 4, the PS5 controller is not directly compatible with the PS4 console.
Conclusion
Understanding user limits on your PS4 is crucial to maximize enjoyment while sharing the console. The ability to have up to 16 user profiles (7 with PSN access), with only 4 active players simultaneously, offers a balance between personalization and performance. Furthermore, sharing PS Plus and digital games across different accounts allows more efficient sharing. By fully understanding and utilizing the features available on your PS4, you can ensure a smooth, fun, and seamless experience for everyone in your household.