Sony now requires adult PlayStation accounts registered in the UK and Ireland to verify age before using certain communication, broadcasting and in-game features. It is not a full console lockout: Sony says unverified users can still play games and access and buy from the PlayStation Store.
Who has to verify, and when?
Sony’s requirement applies to adult accounts registered in the UK or Ireland. Its FAQ, updated June 1, 2026, does not establish the same requirement for other countries. Verification is needed once per account. New adult accounts may be asked during account creation; existing adult accounts may be prompted when they try to use a feature that requires verification. Sony’s age-verification FAQ describes the current scope.
Which PlayStation features require verification?
Sony says age checks may be required for:
- PlayStation voice and text chat or messaging;
- joining parties or sessions;
- Discord voice chat through PlayStation; and
- broadcasting gameplay to YouTube or Twitch through PlayStation.
Some restrictions depend on the game
Individual games may also restrict communication or user-generated-content features, such as in-game chat, messaging, sharing or uploading content. Sony says the affected features vary by title and may change as games are updated; it does not publish a complete, permanent list covering every game.
What can you still do without verifying?
Sony says unverified users can continue playing games, use non-communication features, and access and purchase from the PlayStation Store. The stated restriction is on specified features, not general access to the console or PlayStation Store. Sony’s FAQ lists what remains available.
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How can you verify your age?
Sony lists three options, with verification handled by Yoti. The choice depends on whether you have an eligible mobile contract, prefer facial age estimation or document verification, and have an accepted ID issued by a supported country.
| Method | What you need to do | Important condition |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile number | Verify using a mobile number and the information held by your mobile provider. | The phone contract must be in your name, with details matching your provider’s records. Prepaid and pay-as-you-go numbers are not supported for this method. |
| Facial age estimation | Take a face photo so Yoti can estimate your age using facial geometry. | Use a well-lit area, show your full face and ensure no other faces are in view. |
| ID document | Photograph a passport, driving licence or national ID, then select its issuing country to see which documents are accepted. | Sony says confirmation may take 3 to 6 minutes after scanning an ID; that is an estimate, not a guarantee. |
The methods and conditions above are described in Sony’s verification guidance. Sony does not identify one method as best for everyone.
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Devices and browsers
Sony recommends current versions of Chrome on Android; Safari on iOS; Chrome or Safari on Mac; and Chrome or Edge on Windows. A facial photo can be taken on a laptop, tablet or mobile device, though Sony recommends a mobile phone for better image quality. The guidance does not require buying a new device or accessory.
If phone verification fails
Sony recommends resending the verification code or choosing another method if the mobile-number route does not work. If your number is prepaid or pay-as-you-go, or the contract and provider records do not match your details, use one of the other listed options instead.
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What happens to the face scan?
Sony says Yoti processes the information supplied for verification. For facial age estimation, Yoti uses facial geometry and deletes it when verification is complete. Sony says PlayStation receives only the verification result and does not collect, store or otherwise process that geometry. This is Sony’s description of the handling; for further details, see Yoti’s privacy notice.
What should parents know about child accounts?
Sony says players under 18 need an account managed by a parent or guardian. In the UK and Ireland, a parent can send a family request to add an existing child account to the family; Sony says this existing-account feature is currently available only when both accounts are in the UK or Ireland. After the account is added, it can be managed through the PlayStation Family app. See Sony’s instructions for adding an existing child account.
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Parents can use the Family app and console or account settings to manage communication and user-generated-content restrictions, game access, playtime, spending limits and privacy. Sony says parental controls are linked to accounts, so a changed setting applies across devices. These account-management controls are separate from the adult age-verification process; they do not complete or bypass it. Sony’s parental-controls guidance explains the available settings.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why is Sony introducing age verification?
Sony says it uses age verification in line with local laws and regulations to support age-appropriate experiences and help protect younger users. In a February 9, 2026 post, Catherine Jensen, Sony Interactive Entertainment’s VP of Global Consumer Experience, wrote: “At Sony Interactive Entertainment, online safety is essential to our mission to create incredible gaming experiences.” The post also said Sony had piloted age verification in select markets and planned to expand its capabilities over time. It did not give a date for any wider rollout or establish a global requirement. Sony’s February 9, 2026 safety post also reported one million PlayStation Family app users across the iOS App Store and Google Play.
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