Yes, you can share PlayStation Plus with family members on the same console or through your account
PlayStation Plus lets you share your subscription with people in your household in two main ways. The first is console sharing: you set one PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 as your "console sharing and offline play" device, and anyone with a profile on that console can use your subscription. The second is account sharing: you sign into your PlayStation Network account on another person's console, and they can play games you own while using their own profile—though you can only play on one console at a time.
The rules differ slightly depending on which method you use and which PlayStation console you own. Sony does not charge extra for sharing, but the subscription itself remains tied to your account and renews on your billing date. If your subscription lapses, the shared access stops for everyone.
Key Takeaways
- Console sharing on your primary PlayStation lets anyone in your household play your games and use PlayStation Plus, even when you are not logged in.
- Account sharing lets you sign into your account on someone else's console, but only one person can play at a time across all shared consoles.
- You can share with people who live with you; Sony's terms prohibit sharing with people outside your household.
- Your subscription renews on the same date each month or year, regardless of how many people use it.
- If you change your password or remove console sharing, all shared access stops when ready.
How console sharing works
Console sharing is the simplest method for household members. You go to Settings on your PlayStation, select Users and Accounts, then Console Sharing and Offline Play, and turn it on. This marks your console as your "primary console." Anyone with a profile on that primary console can play your games and use your PlayStation Plus subscription, even if you are not signed in.
The key advantage is that multiple people can play at the same time on the same console. If you have a PlayStation 5 or PlayStation 4 in your living room and your family members each have their own profiles, they can all access your games and online multiplayer features simultaneously. You do not need to stay logged in for this to work.
The trade-off is that you can only set one console as your primary console at a time. If you set a second console as primary, the first one loses that status. On your primary console, you can play your games from any profile. On any other console where you sign in with your account, only you can play your games—other profiles on that console cannot access them.
How account sharing works
Account sharing means you sign into your PlayStation Network account on someone else's console. That person can then play your games and use your subscription from their own profile. This works on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5.
The limitation is that only one person can play at a time across all consoles where you have shared your account. If you are playing on your own console under your account, no one else can play on the other console where you have signed in. If someone else is playing on the shared console, you cannot play on your own console at the same time. This makes account sharing less practical for households where multiple people want to play simultaneously.
Setting up console sharing step by step
Start on the console you want to be your primary device. Press the PlayStation button on your controller to open the control center, then go to Settings (the gear icon).
From Settings, select Users and Accounts. Then choose Other, and look for Console Sharing and Offline Play. Turn this setting on. Your console is now marked as your primary console.
Make sure the account that owns the PlayStation Plus subscription is set up on this console—it does not have to be the profile you use daily, but it must exist on the console. Once console sharing is on, any profile on that console can access the subscription and your game library.
Test it by switching to a different profile on the same console and checking that you can see your games and access online multiplayer. If you see a lock icon on a game, console sharing is not fully active yet—wait a few minutes and refresh, or restart the console.
Setting up account sharing step by step
On the console where the other person plays, sign in with your PlayStation Network account. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, and select Console Sharing and Offline Play. Turn this setting off—this is important, because you do not want this to be your primary console.
Now sign out of your account and let the other person sign in with their own profile. They should see your games in their library and be able to play them. They will also have access to your PlayStation Plus subscription for online multiplayer and other features.
Remember: only one person can play at a time. If you start playing on your own console under your account, the other person will be disconnected from any online game they are playing on the shared console.
What happens if you change your password or cancel your subscription
If you change your PlayStation Network password, anyone you have shared your account with will be signed out. They will not be able to play your games or use your subscription until you sign back in on their console with your new password.
If your PlayStation Plus subscription expires or you cancel it, all shared access stops when ready. Anyone using your subscription for online multiplayer will be disconnected. Games you own remain playable, but online features and PlayStation Plus games will no longer work for anyone sharing your account.
If you remove console sharing by turning off the Console Sharing and Offline Play setting, all shared access on that console stops right away. Games will show as locked for other profiles on that console.
Restrictions and what Sony allows
Sony's terms of service allow you to share your subscription with people in your household. This means people who live at the same address as you. Sharing with people outside your household—friends in other cities, for example—violates the terms of service, even though the technical method works the same way.
You can share with as many household members as you want, but you can only set one console as your primary console. If you live in a multi-unit building or share a house with many people, you may need to choose which console gets primary status based on where most people play.
Sony does monitor for unusual account activity. If your account is used to play on many different consoles in different locations at the same time, or if the pattern looks like account sharing outside a household, Sony may restrict your account or require you to change your password.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share PlayStation Plus with someone who lives in a different city?
Technically, the sharing method works the same way, but Sony's terms of service restrict sharing to people in your household. Sharing with people outside your home violates the terms and could result in your account being restricted or suspended.
What is the difference between console sharing and account sharing?
Console sharing lets multiple people play at the same time on one console. Account sharing lets one person at a time play across different consoles. Console sharing is better for families who play together; account sharing is better if you want to share with one person on a different console.
If I set my console as primary, can I still play my games on another console?
Yes. On your primary console, anyone can play your games. On any other console where you sign in with your account, only you can play your games from your profile. Other people on that console cannot access them.
Do I need to stay signed in for console sharing to work?
No. Once you turn on Console Sharing and Offline Play, other profiles on that console can play your games and use your subscription even when you are not signed in or not using the console.
What happens if two people try to play online at the same time with a shared account?
If you are using account sharing (not console sharing), only one person can play at a time. The second person will be disconnected. If you are using console sharing, multiple people can play at the same time because they are on the same console.