PS5 game sharing is officially called Console Sharing and Offline Play. The most common setup snag is that the feature is already enabled on another PS5: it can be enabled on only one PS5 at a time. If sharing is already enabled but a game is locked, the issue is more likely to involve the purchasing account, a PlayStation Plus entitlement, a license, or the network.
First, identify which problem you have
If you cannot turn sharing on for a new PS5, start by checking whether it is still enabled on another console. If sharing is enabled but a game cannot be played, check the game’s owner and license instead. These are different problems and call for different fixes.
Switch Console Sharing to your PS5
Sony allows Console Sharing and Offline Play on one PS5 at a time. It is automatically enabled on the first PS5 used to sign in to PlayStation; to switch to another console, disable it on the old one and enable it on the intended PS5.
- On the old PS5, sign in with the account that owns the games.
- Open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play, then choose Disable.
- On the PS5 you want to use, sign in with that same account and return to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Choose Enable.
With sharing enabled, other people using that PS5 can play the owner’s purchased and downloaded games and media, including while the console is offline, and can use some PlayStation Plus benefits. They do not become the purchaser or owner of those digital games. Sony’s setup guidance is at How to turn on PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play.
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If you no longer have the old PS5
Sony’s support page directs users who cannot access a console to Account Management to remotely deactivate all devices. Remote deactivation of all devices is available only once every six months, so use it only when needed; then enable sharing on the intended PS5.
If sharing will not enable, check service, software, and network
- Check PlayStation’s service status. If there is an alert affecting the relevant service, wait for it to clear before trying again.
- Check that the PS5 has the latest system software.
- Restart the console and try enabling sharing again.
- If it still fails, turn off the router, wait at least five minutes, and restart it. If the connection remains problematic, follow Sony’s console connection troubleshooting steps.
These are among Sony’s recommended troubleshooting steps in its Console Sharing and Offline Play guidance.
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If a shared game is locked or missing
Confirm who bought the game
Sign in with the account that purchased the game and confirm that account has Console Sharing and Offline Play enabled on this PS5. A different user on the console can use eligible shared content, but cannot grant access if the purchasing account does not own it or has not enabled sharing.
Check subscription content separately
Some PlayStation Plus benefits can be shared, but not every benefit or catalog game is available to every user through sharing. For subscription content, check that the owner’s membership is active and that the game is still available in the catalog. Sony’s current details are on its PlayStation Plus support page.
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Restore licenses for a padlock or entitlement problem
Sony says a padlock can point to a license or network issue. On the PS5, open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. You can also start license restoration from a game’s Options menu. Sony says restoring licenses does not affect saved data. See How to restore licenses on PlayStation consoles.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When an error code appears
Use Sony’s guidance for the exact code rather than treating every error as an activation-limit problem. For example, Sony’s CE-109245-1 guidance concerns failure to confirm license information and directs users to restart, sign in with the account that owns the content, and enable Console Sharing and Offline Play. Sony maintains separate PlayStation error-code guidance; follow the page for your specific code.
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