Can 2 PS4s Share Games? – The Ultimate Guide
Can 2 PlayStation 4 (PS4) consoles share games? The simple answer is yes, and this article will delve deeper into the various ways that multiple PS4s can share games and play titles together.
Game Sharing Basics
Game sharing, in general, allows multiple platforms to access the same copy of a game. PlayStation, like other gaming ecosystems, has implemented various sharing methods to make it seamless for users to play different titles on multiple devices.
PS4 Game Sharing Options
There are primarily two ways to share PS4 games: digital game sharing and game streaming.
- Digital Game Sharing:
- Allows gamers to download and play PlayStation games on different PS4 consoles.
- Perfect for families or friends sharing games.
- Enabled through PSN (PlayStation Network) Family Membership.
- Details:
- Two users can play the same game on separate consoles. (PSN Family account with two members)
- Limited to sharing 2 accounts per Master Account.
- Game Streaming:
- Streams games from one console to another over the network.
- Enables one PS4 to play from the library of another linked console.
- Used primarily for remote play functionality (PS4 to Vita) and some third-party services.
PSN Account Sharing and Game Downloading
Sharing a PlayStation account and downloading games through PSN ensures seamless access to your titles on multiple devices. Below are some crucial points about sharing PS4 games online:
- PS4 Share Play:
- Allows for temporary account sharing for playing games in online multiplayer sessions.
- PSN Family Groups:
- Maximum 8 users per Group (2 Primary Accounts; 6 additional users added via Invite/Join buttons).
- Users should join the primary account member (Master Account) that will share games.
- For detailed setup, reference Master Account Guidance).
- Cloud Saves
- Keep your progression across multiple consoles with built-in cloud save functionality, so you won’t risk losing your saved data
Additional Sharing Methods – External Services and Third-party Tools
For more game sharing options and flexibility beyond Sony’s official services:
- Retro Game Server (RetroPie):
- Creates an emulator on a LAN-enabled device to play backed-up games from multiple hosts.
- Allows non-native games (PSN store not supported) shared from one host to various PS4 devices.
- For installation and configuring RetroPie read this tutorial)
- PogoStiko / PogoStyk:
- Developed as a multi-platform ROM and media server (not developed specifically for PS4);
- Shares games to devices on a local LAN;
- Not native support for PS4 is essential for full functionality use third-party programs at discretion)
Tips and Pitfalls
- Temporary Playtime Restrictions: Short periods of account sharing usually require no explicit permission in some cases (e. g., using Local Play to let guests access specific games.
- Multi-Player Restrictions (online games): Limited guest access due to developer’s policies on online shared content.
Summary: 2 PS4s, Many Games!
Through official PSN family accounts, game sharing lets friends and family members collaborate or enjoy single-player stories without the need for independent purchases. If you consider non-native or backed-up game sharing options, note potential risks for account data or potential Sony restrictions apply when using third-party software.