Are you exploring to know how to gameshare on PS4? The term gameshare refers to the method of sharing digital video games with someone else. You can share physical games by letting someone borrow the disc. But with digital games, you usually don’t have a way to do something like this.
You can log into your PlayStation account on anyone’s PS4 to reach digital games you own. But since you can only play these games while logged into your account, other people can’t play them below their name.
On PS4, gamesharing takes advantage of the “primary system” feature of the console. Setting a PS4 as your primary console has a few benefits, such as automatically downloading pre-ordered content.
However, the other main perk of doing this is that anyone on that system can play the games you own. Everyone also gets entrance to online play with PlayStation Plus, as long as you have a subscription.
How to Gameshare on PS4
First, you’ll need to log into your friend’s PS4 with your account. To do so, head to Settings > Login Settings > User Management and choose to Create User.
Follow the steps, including accepting the user agreement. When you’re prompted to create a new account, prefer Skip and sign in with your existing account.
Now your friend’s PS4 has your account connected. To switch to it, hold the PS key on your controller to open the Fast Menu, then browse to the Power tab. Select Switch User and pick your account to log in.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to set this PS4 as your primary console. Enter to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4. Select Activate to confirm the decision.
If this doesn’t work, you’ll require to catch the same steps on your PS4 to deactivate your current system as primary before activating the new one.
For fair game sharing, you should next complete the same steps on your PS4 using your friend’s account. This will let you access their games too.
Once you have both activated the other’s PS4 as your primary console, you’ll be able to access their games by visiting the library on your home screen. You can download any game that they own to your system without being signed into their account.
Warnings When Game sharing on PS4
While game sharing sounds like a great idea, you should know some potential issues before you do it.
If possible, we recommend doing this process in-person on both systems. Otherwise, you’ll have to trade usernames and passwords remotely. Giving someone else one of your account passwords is never a great approach.
You can edit your password after completing the earlier steps, and the other person will still have access to your games, but they won’t be able to get into your account.
Remember that performing the above gives the other person access to your PlayStation account. That means they could use your saved payment method to buy games or potentially make changes to your account. Only do this if you believe the other person.
If either person ever buys a new PS4, you’ll have to repeat the above steps to get game sharing working again.
Finally, suppose you ever need to deactivate a PS4. In that case, you can no longer access (such as one that stopped working or if someone you game shared with goes rogue), you can log into the Sony account management page and prefer Device Management > PlayStation Systems (Games) > Deactivate All Devices.
Unfortunately, you can only do this once every six months, so don’t use it unless you have to.
It’s Easy to Share PS4 Games
Now you know how game sharing works on the PS4. As long as you trust the other person (perhaps they belong to your PS4 party), it’s an easy way to let each other access your game library, but don’t forget that it comes with some risks. You can move into trouble if someone you share games with gives you a hard time.
There are tons of excellent PS4 games to play, so you and your friend can now take turns buying them.
FAQs
[wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Is Gamesharing illegal on PS4?”]A: Gamesharing isn’t allowed. The legit way to play other people’s games is via Share-Play. It’s not unless you share with your whole neighborhood or so or sell it or whatever.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Can you Gameshare on PS4 to PS5?”]A: To set up a gameshare on the PS5, you need to dig into the settings and sign in to a subsequent PlayStation Network account. Typically, you’re tying an account to your PS5 console so that any other account can access its games. Think of it like the PlayStation 4’s “primary console” feature.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Is it possible to Gameshare a disc on PS4?”]A; If you need to play on another PS4 that isn’t your primary console, you can download any game you’ve purchased on the PS Store as long as you sign into PSN. Sony has repeated that you can share disc games with your friends and play applied disc games on your PS4 system just like you can on a PlayStation 3 system.[/wps_faq][wps_faq style=”classic” question=”Q: Can you activate 2 PS4 as primary?”]A: No. You can only have 1 PS4 as your primary system. Multiple users can use the system set as your primary, and those various users can access your content. You can only access your content when you are logged in, and your PS4 has to be continuously connected to the internet.[/wps_faq]
Final Words
As long as you don’t have any other consoles set up for gameshare, you can still use your console to play your games. But repeatedly, beware that if you try to do a gameshare on three or more extra devices, your account could be suspended.
If you want to regain control over your games and digital library, you’ll need to follow the same steps above on your console. Share your valuable thoughts and views in the comment box section below.