Is Game Sharing Allowed on PS5? A Deep Dive into PlayStation’s Sharing Features

Absolutely! Game sharing is indeed allowed on the PS5, offering a fantastic way to share your digital game library with a friend or family member. PlayStation refers to this feature as Console Sharing and Offline Play, and it’s designed to let you grant access to your purchased games and PlayStation Plus benefits to others on a designated console. However, like any system, it comes with its rules and limitations. Understanding how it works is key to making the most of this feature without running into any issues. Let’s explore the ins and outs of game sharing on the PS5.

Understanding Console Sharing and Offline Play

The Console Sharing and Offline Play feature is Sony’s official method for game sharing on the PS5. It essentially allows you to designate one PS5 console as your “primary” console. Anyone who uses this console can then access and play your downloaded games, even when you’re not signed in. This feature extends to some of the benefits of your PlayStation Plus membership, such as online multiplayer access. It’s a great way to let others experience your games and online perks without them needing to purchase the games or subscribe to PS Plus themselves.

However, there are important considerations. You can only enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on one PS5 console at a time. This means you need to deactivate it on your primary console before activating it on another. Otherwise, you’ll find that your games are locked and inaccessible on the new console. Also, each PlayStation Network (PSN) account can only be signed in to one PS4 console at a time; you will be logged out of the other console when trying to log in simultaneously.

How to Set Up Game Sharing on PS5

Setting up game sharing is relatively straightforward:

1. Log In: Sign in to your PSN account on the PS5 console you want to share your games with. This is the console your friend or family member will be using.

2. Activate Console Sharing and Offline Play: Navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play. Select “Enable.”

3. Deactivate on Your Primary Console: If Console Sharing and Offline Play is already enabled on another console (your personal PS5), you’ll need to deactivate it there first. You can do this by following the same steps on your primary console and selecting “Disable.”

4. Download Games: Once Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled, your friend or family member can access your purchased games from the PlayStation Store and download them to their console.

5. Enjoy: They can now play your games and enjoy your PlayStation Plus benefits (if applicable) on their console.

The Limitations of Game Sharing

While game sharing is a convenient feature, it’s important to be aware of its limitations:

• One Console at a Time: You can only have Console Sharing and Offline Play enabled on one PS5 console at a time.

• Account Restrictions: Each PSN account can only be signed in to one PS4 console at a time. This doesn’t apply to PS5 consoles, where you can be signed in to your account on multiple PS5 consoles, but only have Console Sharing and Offline Play enabled on one.

• Game Compatibility: You can’t download or play PS5 games on a PS4 console, even if you’re game sharing. PS5 games are designed specifically for the PS5 hardware.

• Digital Games Only: Game sharing only works with digital games purchased through the PlayStation Store. You can’t share physical games.

• PlayStation Plus Sharing: While the person you’re sharing with gets access to your online multiplayer benefits, they don’t get all the features of PS Plus, such as free monthly games or exclusive discounts.

• License Issues: If you’re seeing a lock symbol on your games, it means your account doesn’t have the licenses for those games. This could be because you haven’t purchased the game or your PlayStation Plus subscription has expired (if the game was obtained through PS Plus).

Share Play: Another Sharing Option

Besides Console Sharing and Offline Play, PlayStation also offers a feature called Share Play. This allows you to invite a friend to virtually “hand over the controller” and let them play your game remotely. You can even play cooperatively in games that don’t normally support online multiplayer.

To use Share Play, you need to be a PlayStation Plus member. You can use it with friends who have either a PS5 or a PS4 console. The PS5 owner hosts the session, and the guest can play for up to 60 minutes per session (you can start a new session immediately after). It requires a good internet connection.

Here are some insights from the Games Learning Society

Delving into the intricacies of game sharing opens a window to the broader discussions happening within the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org. Understanding how players interact with and share games offers valuable perspectives for research in game-based learning and engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Game Sharing on PS5

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about game sharing on PS5, designed to provide further clarity and guidance.

1. How many people can you game share with on PS5?

You can only game share with one other PSN account at a time using the Console Sharing and Offline Play feature.

2. Is PlayStation game sharing allowed?

Yes, PlayStation game sharing is allowed via the Console Sharing and Offline Play feature.

3. Why won’t it let me game share on PS5?

You can only enable game sharing on one PS5 console at a time. You’ll need to disable it on your main PS5 console before enabling it on another.

4. Can I have 2 PS5s on the same account?

Yes, you can sign in to the same account on multiple PS5 consoles. However, you can’t log in to the same account simultaneously and play the same game; you’ll be logged out on the other console.

5. Why are my games locked on PS5?

The locked symbol indicates that your account does not have the licenses for the game. If it has a PlayStation Plus logo, it means you need to renew your PlayStation Plus subscription.

6. Can you gameshare from PS5 to PS4?

Yes, you can play games together or share your game library with friends and family members who are still using their PS4, thanks to Share Play. If you have a friend with a PS5, you can also play their PS5 games on your PS4 with Share Play.

7. Why can’t I share PS Plus anymore?

You can only share your games and PlayStation Plus benefits with accounts on one PS5 console with Console Sharing and Offline Play activated and your primary PS4 console.

8. How does Share Play work on PS5?

To start Share Play, press the PS button, go to the control center, select the party voice chat card, and then select Start Share Play. Invite a player, and select the play mode.

9. Can you play PS5 games on two consoles simultaneously?

No, not the same game at the same time. While you can have a Primary PS4 and a Primary PS5, only one console can be actively playing a game under the same account.

10. Do you need PS Plus to Gameshare?

You do not need PS Plus to use Console Sharing and Offline Play. However, you need PS Plus to start Share Play.

11. Why is my gameshare not working?

Try restarting both consoles and signing out and back in to your accounts. Make sure the game you’re trying to play is compatible with game sharing. Some games may have restrictions on sharing.

12. Can you use the same PlayStation account on multiple devices at the same time?

To sign in to another PS4, you’ll need to deactivate your account as the primary console on your current system. Each PSN account can only be signed in to one PS4 console at a time.

13. Is PlayStation getting rid of game sharing?

No, Sony is not getting rid of game sharing.

14. Can a PS5 console be banned?

Yes, if you breach the terms of service, your account or console may be temporarily or permanently suspended from accessing PlayStation Network.

15. How many consoles can you game share to PS?

You can share your account with as many people as you want, but you can only enable Console Sharing and Offline Play to allow two consoles to play the same game simultaneously with one person.

Conclusion

Game sharing on the PS5 is a fantastic feature that allows you to share your digital game library and PlayStation Plus benefits with a friend or family member. By understanding how Console Sharing and Offline Play works, as well as the limitations, you can make the most of this feature. Game sharing, when done correctly, enhances the PlayStation experience and promotes community engagement.