PlayStation 4 online services are not shutting down entirely, but Sony is closing the PS4 digital storefront and ending support for some older online features

Sony announced in 2021 that it would close the PlayStation Store for PS4, which happened in July 2024. This means you can no longer buy new games, DLC, or in-game currency through the PS4 console itself. However, the actual online multiplayer servers for games remain active. You can still play online with other players in most PS4 games — the shutdown only affects purchasing new content.

The confusion comes from mixing two separate things: the digital store (where you buy games) and the game servers (where you play online). Sony shut down the store. The servers that let you play games online are still running and will continue to run for the foreseeable future.

Key Takeaways

  • The PlayStation Store for PS4 closed in July 2024, so you cannot buy new games or DLC directly on the console anymore.
  • Online multiplayer servers for individual games remain active and operational — you can still play online with others.
  • You can still read games you have already purchased, and you can buy PS4 games through a web browser or mobile app before downloading them to your console.
  • Some older online features like the PS4 web browser and some legacy services have been discontinued, but core online play continues.
  • Sony has not announced a shutdown date for PS4 online multiplayer servers, and they typically support consoles for many years after release.

What actually closed: the PS4 digital store

On July 23, 2024, Sony closed the PlayStation Store on PS4 consoles. This storefront was where you could browse, purchase, and read games directly from your console. After that date, you cannot use the PS4 console itself to buy anything — no new games, no DLC, no season passes, no in-game currency packs.

If you want to buy a PS4 game now, you have two alternatives. You can purchase through the PlayStation website on a computer or phone, then read the game to your PS4 remotely. You can also buy physical copies of games from retailers. Either way, the game will install and run on your console the same way it did before.

What stayed online: multiplayer servers and online play

The servers that run individual games — the ones that let you play Call of Duty, Fortnite, Destiny 2, or any other online multiplayer game with other players — are separate from the store. Those servers are still running. Sony has not announced any shutdown date for PS4 online multiplayer.

Historically, Sony keeps online servers running for PlayStation consoles for many years. The PS3, released in 2006, had its online services shut down in 2023 — that is 17 years of online support. The PS4 launched in 2013, so based on that pattern, you can expect online multiplayer to remain available for several more years at minimum.

Some specific online services have been discontinued. The PS4 web browser no longer works, and some legacy features tied to older PlayStation services have been removed. But the core ability to play online multiplayer games remains intact.

How to read games you already own

If you have purchased games on your PS4 account in the past, you can still read them. Go to your profile, find your library, and select the games you want to install. The console will read them from Sony's servers just as it always has.

You can also initiate downloads from outside the console. Log into your PlayStation account on a web browser, find the game in your library, and select "read to PS4." The console will begin downloading the game the next time it connects to the internet.

Buying PS4 games after the store closure

The most straightforward way to buy PS4 games now is through the PlayStation website. Log in with your account, search for the game you want, and purchase it. The game will be added to your library, and you can read it to your PS4 console at any time.

You can also use the PlayStation mobile app to purchase games and add them to your library for read later. Physical copies remain available from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and GameStop, though the selection of new PS4 releases has shrunk as the industry shifts toward PS5.

When to expect PS4 online servers to actually shut down

Sony has not announced a shutdown date for PS4 online multiplayer servers. The company typically provides several years of notice before closing online services for a console. When they did shut down PS3 online services in 2023, they announced it in 2021 — giving players two years to prepare.

If Sony follows the same pattern, PS4 online services will likely remain available through the late 2020s or early 2030s. The company has a financial incentive to keep servers running as long as there is an active player base, because the cost of maintaining existing servers is relatively low compared to the cost of building new infrastructure.

What you should do if you play PS4 online

If you play PS4 games online regularly, you do not need to take any action right now. Your games will continue to work, and you can keep playing with others. If you want to buy new games, straightforward use the web browser or mobile app instead of the console store.

If you have games you want to own permanently, consider downloading them to your console now, since digital games are tied to your account and Sony's servers. Physical copies are another option if you want a backup that does not depend on internet access or Sony's infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still play online multiplayer on PS4?

Yes. The multiplayer servers for individual games remain active. You can play Call of Duty, Fortnite, Destiny 2, and other online games with other players just as you always have. Only the digital store closed, not the game servers.

Can I read games I bought before the store closed?

Yes. Any game you purchased and added to your library before the store closed can still be downloaded to your console. Go to your library, select the game, and read it. You can do this as many times as you want.

What if I want to buy a new PS4 game now?

Use the PlayStation website or mobile app to purchase the game, then read it to your console. You can also buy physical copies from retailers. Both methods work the same way — the game installs and runs on your PS4 normally.

Will PS4 online services shut down soon?

Sony has not announced a shutdown date. Based on the PS3 timeline, PS4 online services will likely remain available for several more years. If Sony decides to shut them down, they typically announce it at least two years in advance.

Do I need to buy a PS5 because PS4 servers are shutting down?

No. The PS4 online servers are not shutting down. You can continue playing PS4 games online for the foreseeable future. A PS5 is a separate console with its own games and services — buying one is a choice, not a requirement to keep playing PS4.