PlayStation Plus monthly games are subscription benefits, not permanent purchases. Add a monthly game to your library while it is offered, and you can play it while your account has an active PlayStation Plus membership. Downloading it does not make it yours to play after membership access ends. Catalog games work differently: Extra and Premium titles can leave their catalog on a set date, even if your subscription is still active.
How to claim a monthly game
Sony adds new monthly games each calendar month. Choose a title and add or download it during the availability period shown for that selection. Sony does not give one fixed claim deadline that applies to every game, so check the dates displayed on the game’s listing. The steps below follow Sony’s US support instructions; labels and menus may differ by region or system software.
- On PS5: From the Games home screen, open the PlayStation Plus area, go to Benefits, choose Monthly Games, select a game, then select Download.
- On PS4: Open PlayStation Plus, select Monthly Games, highlight a title, then choose Add to Library > Download.
- Remotely: Sony also supports starting downloads through a web browser or the PlayStation App.
For the console steps and remote options, see PlayStation Support’s instructions for accessing monthly games.
What claiming gives you—and what it does not
Adding a game to your library records it as a PlayStation Plus benefit; it does not turn the game into a permanent purchase. Sony says monthly games are available to download and play at no extra cost during a PlayStation Plus membership. Its US usage terms say continued access to PlayStation Plus benefits requires an active subscription, and downloaded subscription games are playable while the subscription is valid and the game remains available in the service.
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That means having the game installed, or seeing it listed in your library, is not by itself enough to keep playing. The entitlement depends on the account’s membership status. The terms are published for the US; availability and terms can vary by region, platform, plan, and account settings.
Which PlayStation Plus plans include monthly games?
All three tiers—Essential, Extra, and Premium—include monthly games in Sony’s US offering. Extra and Premium also provide access to catalog benefits, which are separate from monthly-game entitlements.
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| Access type | What determines access | Can availability end while membership is active? |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly game | The title was added during its offer period, and the account has an active PlayStation Plus membership. Essential, Extra, and Premium include this benefit. | The cited guidance does not describe a routine catalog-style removal date for claimed monthly games; access still requires active membership and the game to remain available in the service. |
| Game Catalog | The account has a tier that includes the Game Catalog, and the title is still in that catalog. | Yes. Some titles have end dates and leave the service. |
| Classics Catalog | The account has Premium, and the title is still in the Classics Catalog. | Yes. Some titles have end dates and leave the service. |
Sony’s PlayStation Plus games and FAQ page describes tier benefits and catalog end dates. Its US PlayStation Plus Usage Terms also make continued access subject to active membership and content availability.
What happens when a subscription expires or is canceled?
When membership ends, PlayStation Plus benefits—including access to monthly games—are unavailable because an active membership is required. Sony’s public guidance describes access as lasting while a person remains an active subscriber. The cited pages do not spell out every account’s reactivation process for a previously claimed title, so they do not support a guarantee about exactly how or when a particular game’s library access will be restored after resubscribing.
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What happens when a catalog game leaves?
A catalog game can become unavailable because Sony removes it from the Game Catalog or Classics Catalog, independently of whether your membership remains active. This is different from a monthly game becoming inaccessible because your subscription ended. Sony also says add-ons purchased for a catalog game become inaccessible if the membership expires or the base game leaves the service; those purchased add-ons can be used again after you resubscribe or buy the base game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Check the offer and plan for your region
The steps and plan details here reflect Sony’s US English pages checked October 7, 2026. PlayStation Plus menus, plan features, game availability, and account controls can vary by country or region, platform, tier, and age settings. For a specific title, rely on the availability dates and plan details shown on your local PlayStation site or console.
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