What Does Deactivating a PlayStation Console Do?
Deactivating a PlayStation console, whether it’s a PS4 or PS5, essentially means removing the association between your PlayStation Network (PSN) account and that specific console. This action has several important implications, primarily centered around access to your digital content and the designation of your primary console. When you deactivate a console, you are effectively telling Sony’s servers that this particular device should no longer be considered your primary device, impacting how you and potentially others can access games, subscriptions, and other digital purchases. This process is crucial when you are selling, trading in, or disposing of your console, and it also plays a role in managing how you share content with friends and family. Simply put, deactivating your console disconnects your account from that specific hardware.
Understanding Primary and Secondary Consoles
The concept of a primary console is vital to understanding why deactivation is necessary. When you activate a PlayStation console as your primary device, you grant it certain permissions. This allows other users on that console to access the digital games and other content associated with your PSN account, even if they have their own separate profiles. This is beneficial for households where multiple people might share the same console and want to access your library of games. However, only one console can be designated as the primary for a single account. If a console isn’t activated as primary, then only the owner of that account can access their games and subscriptions. This is why deactivating a console is important; it prevents a previous owner from maintaining access to content and it frees up the ability to designate another console as the primary.
Deactivating a PlayStation Console: The Process
Deactivating a console can be done either directly on the device itself or remotely through a web browser. To deactivate directly from your PS4 or PS5:
- Go to Settings.
- Navigate to Account Management.
- Select Activate as Your Primary PS4 (or Activate as Your Primary PS5).
- Choose Deactivate.
If you no longer have access to the console, you can remotely deactivate all consoles linked to your account by using a web browser:
- Go to the Account Management section on the PlayStation Network website.
- Select Device Management.
- Choose PlayStation Consoles.
- Select Deactivate All Devices.
The Impact of Deactivation
Deactivating your PlayStation console has several crucial effects:
- Loss of Access to Digital Content: Any content (games, DLC, themes) purchased using your PSN account becomes inaccessible on the deactivated console to users of different accounts.
- Subscription Entitlements: Subscriptions like PlayStation Plus or PlayStation Now will also cease to work on the deactivated console to users of different accounts.
- Primary Console Status: The deactivated console will lose its designation as your primary device, meaning other users on that console will no longer be able to play your games and use your subscriptions even while you are logged in.
- Account Security: Deactivating a console is a crucial security step when selling or giving away the device. It prevents unauthorized access to your account and digital library.
When Should You Deactivate Your Console?
Deactivating your console is generally advisable in these situations:
- Selling or Trading In: It’s essential to deactivate your console before handing it over to someone else to protect your account and digital property.
- Giving Away Your Console: Whether you’re gifting it to a friend or family member, deactivation prevents any accidental access to your content by the recipient.
- Upgrading to a New Console: When moving from one console to another, you’ll want to deactivate your old console to properly transfer the primary console designation.
- Experiencing Technical Issues: If you’re experiencing issues with your primary console, you may want to deactivate it to see if it resolves anything (though this is less common).
Things To Keep In Mind
It’s important to note that you can only deactivate consoles remotely once every six months. This is a security measure designed to prevent abuse. Also, you can only have one primary console per account; changing this will affect which device has immediate access to the content associated with your account. If you cannot access the console to deactivate it directly, you will need to do it through the account management on the website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will deactivating my PS4 affect my PS5 account?
No, deactivating your PS4 does not affect your PS5 account. Both consoles can use the same PSN account and deactivating one does not remove the account from Sony’s servers. It only removes the association with the deactivated console.
2. Can I reactivate a deactivated console?
Yes, you can reactivate a deactivated console at any time. Simply log in with your PSN account on the console and follow the steps to activate it as your primary console, if you want it to be your primary.
3. What happens if I deactivate my PSN account on my console?
Deactivating your PSN account on a console means removing its association with your account. This will remove your ability to access digital content and subscriptions on that particular console.
4. How many PS5 consoles can be activated as primary for one account?
Only one PS5 console can be activated as primary for any given PSN account. While you can log into your account on multiple consoles, only one will have the primary benefits.
5. Can I delete my PS4 user account but still keep my games?
Deleting your PS4 user account results in the loss of access to all digital games and content associated with that account on that console. The games are still tied to the account, but not to that local user profile.
6. What if I don’t deactivate my PS4 before selling it?
If you sell your PS4 without deactivating it, the new owner may be able to access your account and digital content if it is still set as the primary console for your account. This also prevents you from setting another console as your primary.
7. Does factory resetting a PS4 delete my account?
Factory resetting your PS4 does delete all user data and configurations, but it does not delete your PSN account from Sony’s servers. It does, however, remove the association with that console.
8. Can I remotely deactivate my primary PS4 if I no longer have it?
Yes, you can remotely deactivate all devices linked to your account via the Account Management section on the PlayStation website.
9. Can I use the same PSN account on multiple consoles simultaneously?
Yes, you can use the same PSN account on up to five consoles but you cannot be logged in with the same account at the same time on multiple consoles.
10. Will I lose my game progress if I deactivate a console?
No, deactivating a console does not delete your saved game data, if you delete the user profile on the console you will lose your saved game progress on that console only.
11. What is the difference between deactivating and deleting a PlayStation user?
Deactivating a console removes the association between the console and your PSN account. Deleting a user profile removes the local profile, and associated saved game data from that console.
12. How often can I deactivate all PlayStation devices remotely?
You can only remotely deactivate all PlayStation devices attached to your account once every six months.
13. What does “Deactivate All Devices” do?
“Deactivate All Devices” removes all consoles that are designated as your primary device for your account.
14. If I delete my user profile on the PS5, will it delete my PSN account?
No. Deleting your user profile on a console does not delete your PSN account.
15. Can someone else use my games if I’ve deactivated my console?
Only the owner of the account can use games and subscriptions on a secondary console. Games and subscriptions are only shared with local profiles on a console which has been designated as a primary console. Deactivating a console will restrict access to other local users.