Gaming is more fun when shared, and the PlayStation 5 (PS5) makes it easy to share your digital game library with a friend or family member. If you’re looking to cut down costs or just want to share your favorite titles, PS5’s game sharing feature provides an easy and secure way to do it.
TL;DR
Game sharing on PS5 lets you and a trusted friend or family member share purchased games and PlayStation Plus benefits. To set it up, one of you needs to set the other’s PS5 as their “primary” console using the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” feature. This allows access to each other’s digital library. Be sure to game share only with someone you trust, as it involves using your PlayStation account on their console.
What is Game Sharing?
Game sharing allows two PS5 users to share their digital game libraries and PlayStation Plus subscriptions. Once set up, both users can play each other’s downloaded games without purchasing them separately. This is particularly useful for households with multiple consoles or for close friends looking to split the cost of digital games.
Important Things to Know Before Getting Started
- Only two consoles can share at one time: One person can share their library with just one other user.
- Trust is essential: Your account will be logged in on someone else’s system, which means they’ll have access to your library and certain account functions.
- This method does not involve physical discs: Game sharing only works with digital downloads purchased via the PlayStation Store.
- Internet connection is recommended: While offline play is possible once set up, an internet connection provides the smoothest experience.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Game Share on PS5
Step 1: Prepare Your Account
Before starting the process, make sure that both parties have:
- A working PlayStation Network (PSN) account
- Access to the PS5 they want to share with (in person or remotely)
- Stable internet connection
Also, ensure your friend or family member trusts you with access to their console – and vice versa. You’ll essentially log into your PSN account on their PS5 as part of this process.
Step 2: Sign Into Your PSN Account on Their Console
Here’s what the sharer needs to do on the recipient’s PS5:
- Turn on the recipient’s PS5 console.
- Select “Add User” on the login screen.
- Choose “Get Started” and sign in with your PSN credentials (the account that owns the games).
This step effectively brings your digital library to the recipient’s console.
Step 3: Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play
This is the key part of game sharing. Once you’ve signed into your PSN account on the second console, follow these steps:
- Go to Settings.
- Scroll to Users and Accounts.
- Select Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Click Enable.
This designates the second PS5 as your “home” console for sharing purposes, which means your digital games and PlayStation Plus benefits can now be accessed by other users on that system.
Step 4: Log Out (Optional but Recommended)
After enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play, you can safely log out of your account on their console. The other person will still have access to your games through their own login, as long as Console Sharing and Offline Play remains enabled.
How the Other Person Accesses Your Games
To enjoy your shared games, the recipient won’t need to stay on your account. They simply need to:
- Log into their own user profile on their PS5.
- Navigate to the Game Library.
- Find and download any shared games under the “Purchased” tab or directly from the library.
This makes it easy and seamless for both players to keep their own profiles and save data separate while playing the same games.
How to Stop Game Sharing
If you decide to end game sharing, you can easily disable it.
Option 1: From the PS5 Console You Enabled Sharing On
Just log into your PSN account on that PS5 and follow these steps:
- Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other.
- Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Click Disable.
Option 2: Remotely Deactivate All Devices
If you no longer have access to the other person’s console, use the official PlayStation website:
- Log into your account at PlayStation.com.
- Go to your account settings.
- Select Device Management.
- Choose Deactivate All Devices.
Note: This can be used only once every six months, so use it wisely!
What Can Be Shared With Game Sharing?
Game sharing on PS5 is pretty generous:
- Digital games: Downloaded titles from the PlayStation Store
- PlayStation Plus: Access to monthly free games, online multiplayer, and other benefits
- DLC and expansions: Any additional content attached to the games
However, some in-game purchases like microtransactions may not carry over, especially if they are account-specific. Also, sharing save data directly is not possible – each user must have their own progress unless connected via cloud saves.
Common Issues and How to Fix Them
Here are a few tips if something isn’t working:
- Games not appearing: Ensure Console Sharing and Offline Play is enabled on the second PS5 and check that you’re accessing the right library.
- Game says “Purchase Required”: Double-check that you’re signed in with the right account and not on a restricted child profile.
- Save data missing: Save data belongs to individual users. Cloud saves via PlayStation Plus can sync progress if set up correctly.
Is Game Sharing Legal and Safe?
Yes, game sharing is totally legal and supported by Sony as a feature, but it’s intended for use among trusted individuals like family or close friends. Abuse of this feature (e.g., selling account access) may lead to account suspension or bans.
Security is another important aspect. Since game sharing involves signing into your PSN account on another system, make sure you use a strong password and enable two-factor authentication to protect your information.
Final Thoughts
Game sharing on the PS5 is a powerful and cost-effective way to maximize your games library. It’s a brilliant feature for pairs of gamers looking to split game costs or simply enjoy each other’s favorite titles without double purchasing.
Just proceed with caution, trust the person you’re sharing with, and remember to disable sharing if you no longer wish to give access.
Happy gaming!