How to Share Your PS Plus Games with Family or Friends

Sharing your PlayStation Plus games can unlock a treasure trove of entertainment without extra cost, especially if you game with family or friends. If you’ve ever wondered how to share PS Plus games legally, set up multiple accounts, or use a family console setup effectively, this guide is for you. We'll walk you through everything you need to know to share PS Plus games correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and understand PlayStation’s sharing policies.

Why Share PS Plus Games? Understanding the Basics

PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) is Sony’s subscription service that includes online multiplayer access, free monthly games, and exclusive discounts. It’s a popular choice for gamers who want to explore more titles without breaking the bank.

However, not everyone likes to buy their own subscription or games separately. Sharing PS Plus games across accounts on the same or different PlayStation consoles offers a practical solution. It lets several users enjoy the benefits of a single PS Plus subscription, especially useful in a family console setup or for groups of friends.

Before you get started, understand that sharing PS Plus games has some rules. Sony allows console sharing but limits it to specific setups and scenarios. When done correctly, it’s perfectly legal—doing otherwise might lead to restrictions or bans.

What Is a Family Console Setup and Why Use It?

A family console setup refers to having multiple user profiles on one PlayStation console, each linked to different accounts but sharing game access. This setup makes it easy for families to enjoy their own gaming progress, trophies, and settings while accessing shared games under one PS Plus subscription.

This arrangement is also applicable when you want to share your PS Plus games with a close friend or partner by setting one console as your primary device. The primary console allows all users on that machine to access your purchased games and PS Plus benefits, even without separate subscriptions.

How Can You Share PS Plus Games? Step-by-Step Guide

Sharing PS Plus games essentially comes down to game licenses and console activation settings. Here’s how you can set it up legally and efficiently.

Step 1: Understand Primary and Secondary Console Roles

Sony uses two types of console designations per account: primary and secondary.

• Primary Console: This is your main PlayStation where all profiles can play the games and use the PS Plus subscription of the account holder. Activating a console as primary allows sharing with every user profile on that device.

• Secondary Console: On any other console where your account is logged in but not set as primary, you can only play games on your own logged-in profile, and offline access is limited.

The trick to sharing involves setting one console as the primary for your PS Plus account so other users on that console can access your games.

Step 2: Activate the Primary Console

To activate your console as the primary device for PS Plus sharing:

1. Turn on your PS5 or PS4 and sign in with the PS Plus account.
2. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play (PS5) or on PS4, navigate to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
3. Select Enable or Activate.
4. Confirm and follow the prompts to finalise.

Once activated, everyone on that console can play your PS Plus games, access online multiplayer, and enjoy free game downloads tied to your subscription.

Step 3: Add Additional User Accounts

Create or add the accounts for your family members or friends on the primary console. These users can enjoy your PS Plus library without needing their own subscription.

To add a new user:

1. On the console login screen, select Add User.
2. Choose to create a new account or sign into an existing PlayStation Network account.
3. Once set up, these users get full access to your PS Plus content on that console.

Step 4: Sharing with a Friend: Secondary Console Setup

If you want to share PS Plus games with a friend who lives elsewhere, the process is a bit more limited but still possible.

• Your friend adds your PS Plus account to their console.
• Your friend signs in and downloads the games associated with your account.
• You do not activate their console as your primary device; it remains secondary.
• Your friend can play those games, but to do so, your PS Plus account must be online and signed in on their console.
• This means your PS Plus account cannot be used simultaneously on another console while your friend is playing.

This method works well if you trust your friend, but it has practical limits. You must remain logged in, and your use of the console is restricted during game time.

Step 5: Family Console Setup for Multiple Accounts

For households with multiple gamers, each person should ideally have their own PSN account with individual saves and trophies. By activating your main console as primary for the PS Plus subscription holder, all these multiple accounts can play the PS Plus games.

You do not need multiple PS Plus subscriptions this way, saving cost and providing convenience.

Important Tips & Limitations to Keep in Mind

• One Primary Console per PSN Account: Sony only allows one primary console per account at any given time. If you want to switch, you must deactivate the current primary console first.

• Account Sharing Risks: Sharing your account credentials or using your PSN account on someone else's console increases the risk of breaches or sanctions if the sharing violates PlayStation’s terms.

• Simultaneous Use: The main PS Plus account holder cannot play games on one console if the same account is active elsewhere, especially if secondary consoles are in use.

• Regional Restrictions: Game sharing may be affected by region locks and subscriptions’ regional validity.

Real-World Examples of Sharing PS Plus Games

Jake is a casual gamer who plays mostly on PS5. He shares his PS Plus subscription with his younger sister on the family console by activating his console as the primary device. She has her own PSN account, so while their progress and preferences stay separate, she can still play all his downloaded PS Plus games and use online multiplayer.

Meanwhile, Jake’s close friend Liam lives in another city. Liam has Jake’s PS Plus credentials on his PS4 but the console is secondary. Liam can only play PS Plus games when Jake is logged into PSN on Liam’s console, making it less convenient but still effective.

Expert Insight: Why Legal Sharing Matters

Sharing PS Plus games seems straightforward, but it’s essential to stick within Sony’s sharing rules. Illegitimate account sharing, such as selling or sharing credentials widely, can lead to account bans, loss of access to games, or even suspension of online privileges.

Legitimate console sharing prioritises setting the correct primary console and using multiple accounts on a household console rather than sharing passwords widely.

Always consider the security implications and ensure that all parties respect Sony’s policies to avoid penalty.

Alternatives to PS Plus Game Sharing

Here are some alternatives if sharing PS Plus games feels too limited or risky:

• PS Plus Family Plan: Sony offers a family plan that allows multiple users to share the service under one subscription with official support.

• Game Share with Xbox Game Pass: Xbox allows easier game sharing on consoles via its Game Pass Ultimate, if you have cross-platform friends.

• Physical Discs: Buying or lending physical game discs is an alternative, though less convenient in the digital age.

• Cloud Gaming: Services like PlayStation Now or other cloud gaming platforms allow multiple users to access games online without console sharing.

Quick Summary Block

• Best for Families: Activate primary console and add multiple user accounts under the same device.
• Best for Friends at Different Locations: Use secondary console login, but requires account online and signed in.
• Best Legal Practice: Never share passwords widely. Use console sharing with multiple PSN profiles.
• Limitations: Only one primary console per account; simultaneous use on multiple different consoles is restricted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share PS Plus games with friends who live far away?
Yes, but only if your account remains logged in on their secondary console. This requires trust and limits simultaneous usage.

How many consoles can I set as primary for my account?
Only one. You can deactivate a current primary console and activate a new one if needed.

Do friends need their own PSN accounts to use shared PS Plus games?
Yes. They need separate accounts to access games on your primary console.

Is sharing my PS Plus account password safe?
No. Sharing your credentials can lead to account suspension or hacking risk. Use console sharing instead.

Will sharing affect my online multiplayer access?
No, as long as your console is primary. But if playing on a secondary console, the primary account must be logged in.

Can I share downloaded free games from PS Plus?
Yes. Any games downloaded while your subscription is active can be shared on the primary console with other users.

Pricing and Availability

A single PlayStation Plus subscription costs:

• Essential Plan: Around $9.99 per month
• Extra Plan: Around $14.99 per month, includes access to a wider range of games
• Premium Plan: Around $17.99 per month, adds classics and cloud streaming

One PS Plus subscription shared across accounts on a primary console reduces costs for families or groups.

Available on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 consoles. Purchase directly from the PlayStation Store or authorised retailers.

Final Thoughts and Recommendation

Sharing PS Plus games is a smart, cost-effective way to enjoy more gaming content with your family or close friends. Setting up a family console with multiple accounts on a single primary PlayStation offers the smoothest and safest sharing experience.

While it’s tempting to share accounts widely, sticking to Sony’s official sharing rules protects your account and ensures uninterrupted gaming.

Ready to get started? Set up your primary console today and invite your family to join the fun without extra expense.

Explore our family console setup guide and multiple accounts tips to make the most out of your PlayStation Plus subscription. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest PlayStation news and sharing hacks!