How do I share games between PS4 accounts?

How to Share Games Between PS4 Accounts: A Comprehensive Guide

Are you looking to share games with your friends and family members who use different PS4 accounts? Or do you want to access games purchased by your spouse or partner? In this article, we’ll cover the different methods of sharing games between PS4 accounts, so you can enjoy your favorite games with your loved ones.

Designating Another Console as Primary PS4

The first way to share games between PS4 accounts is by designating another console as the primary PS4. To do this:

1. Sign in with your PSN account on the PS4 console you want to set as primary.
2. Go to Settings, then select Users and Accounts, followed by Other.
3. Select Console Sharing and Offline Play.
4. Toggle the switch to enable or disable console sharing.
5. Sign in to your PS4 account on the secondary console, and you’ll have access to the game library on the primary console.

Console Sharing

When you enable console sharing, the primary PS4 console can share games, content, and settings with up to eight other consoles, regardless of whether they’re registered to the same or different PSN accounts.

Game Sharing Through Share Play

The second method of sharing games is through Share Play. This feature allows you to invite friends to play co-op games together, even if you don’t have the same game purchased on your account. Here’s how to use Share Play:

1. Launch a game on your PS4.
2. Select the game from the share menu.
3. Invite friends to play with you through Share Play.
4. Set the game as your online gaming preference.
5. Sign in to your friend’s PSN account on your console.
6. Join the game, and you’ll have access to the game library on your friend’s account.

Limitations and Considerations

While console sharing and Share Play are convenient ways to share games between PS4 accounts, there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind:

• Game ownership: Each account needs to own the game or have it as part of a subscription to play.
• PlayStation Plus: A PS Plus subscription is required to access certain features, including Share Play.
• Online gaming: Players may encounter some online gaming restrictions or lag due to different connection speeds and hardware.
• Storage: Consoles with limited storage capacity may experience issues with storing large game files.

Alternative Methods

In cases where console sharing and Share Play are not feasible, you can explore alternative methods:

• Purchase separate copies: Buying separate copies of games can allow multiple accounts to play together without restrictions.
• Family sharing: Family members can share a PSN account, making it easier to access and play games together.

Conclusion

Sharing games between PS4 accounts is possible through various methods, including designating another console as primary and using Share Play. While there are some limitations and considerations to keep in mind, understanding these options can help you and your friends and family enjoy your favorite games together.