To let other accounts on the same PS4 play games you bought digitally, activate that console as the primary PS4 for the account that owns the games. Sign in with that account, then open Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PlayStation 4 and choose Activate. Other users on that console can then use eligible PlayStation Store applications purchased by the owner. The purchase stays with the account that bought it.
Set up game sharing on the PS4
- Sign in on the PS4 with the PlayStation account that purchased the games you want other local users to play.
- Open Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PlayStation 4.
- Select Activate. If this is the account’s first PS4, it may already be activated as primary. If another PS4 is primary, deactivate that console before activating this one.
- Return to the home screen, switch to the other local account, and launch the eligible installed game.
Sony’s rule is one primary PS4 per account. The account that owns the games must do the activation; activating the console from a different account does not share the owner’s purchases. If the menu already identifies this console as primary, no additional activation is needed. See Sony’s primary PS4 activation instructions.
What other users can access
Users of the owner’s primary PS4 can use PlayStation Store applications purchased by that account. This is access on the console, not a transfer: the purchase remains associated with the account that paid for it. Sony’s account and console-sharing guidance describes access for users of a primary PS4, not sharing with a friend on an unrelated console.
PlayStation Plus benefits have separate limits
While the purchasing account has an active PlayStation Plus membership, some benefits can be used by other users on its primary PS4. Sony lists online multiplayer (subject to parental-control settings), downloaded Monthly Plus games, games bought with a Plus discount once downloaded, and catalog games included in the member’s plan as shareable benefits.
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#1 Best Overall
- "Suspend mode" eliminates the load time on your saved game and allows you to immediately return to where you left off by pressing the power button.
- Enables the greatest game developers in the world to unlock their creativity and push the boundaries of play through a platform that is tuned specifically to their needs.
- Engage in endless personal challenges between you and your community, and share your epic moments for the world to see.
- Gamers can share their epic triumphs by hitting the "SHARE button" on the controller, scan through the last few minutes of gameplay, tag it and return to the game.
Other benefits remain account-specific: another user cannot buy products at the Plus discount, redeem Plus games on the owner’s behalf, use the owner’s online storage, receive automatic patch downloads, or access early time-limited trials through sharing. Catalog access also depends on the member’s plan and the game’s eligibility. Check Sony’s PlayStation Plus sharing details.
Fix a lock icon or a game that will not start
Check these items in order before trying more involved fixes:
Rank #2
- Incredible games; Endless entertainment.
- All new lighter slimmer PS4
- 1 TB hard drive
- Blu-ray technology, delivers exceptional video quality.
- Redefine your gaming expectations and immerse yourself in moments so intense your intuition takes over.
- Confirm the entitlement. Make sure the account used to activate sharing owns the game, or has the subscription entitlement needed to play it. If the purchase is uncertain, check that account’s transaction history.
- Confirm the primary PS4. If another account owns the game, that specific purchasing account must have this console activated as its primary PS4.
- Check the subscription. For a game accessed through PlayStation Plus, confirm the membership is active and the game is still an eligible benefit.
- Restore licenses on the owning account. Follow Sony’s license restoration steps while signed in as the account with the purchase or subscription entitlement.
- Check service and software status. If the lock remains, Sony recommends checking PlayStation service status and ensuring the PS4 system software is current; consult its locked-game troubleshooting guide.
If you cannot access the old primary PS4
If the previous console is unavailable, Sony allows an account holder to remotely deactivate all devices through Account Management. That all-device remote action is limited to once every six months. After deactivation, sign in on the PS4 you want to share and activate it as primary. See Sony’s console deactivation instructions.
Quick Recap
Best Value
![Playstation SONY 4, 500GB Slim System [CUH-2215AB01], Black, 3003347 (Renewed)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31aelHds6gL._SL160_.jpg)
- Includes a slim 500GB PlayStation4 system, a matching DualShock 4 Wireless Controller, Power Cord and HDMI Cable.
- Play online with your friends, get free games, save games online and more with PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately).
- All the greatest, games, TV, music and more. Connect with your friends to broadcast and celebrate your epic moments at the press of the Share button to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Rank #4
- Incredible games. Endless entertainment.
- All new lighter slimmer PS4
- 1TB hard drive
- All the greatest, games, TV, music and more
Rank #3
- Includes a new slim 1TB PlayStation 4 system, a matching DualShock 4 Wireless Controller.
- Play online with your friends, save games online and more with PlayStation Plus membership (sold separately).
- All the greatest, games, TV, music and more. Connect with your friends to broadcast and celebrate your epic moments at the press of the Share button to Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
- Mount is not included
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