Quick Answer: Console Sharing and Offline Play allows you to share your digital games and subscription benefits with other users on a single PS5 console. You can enable this feature in your system settings, but remember that it can only be active on one console at a time.
Prerequisites & Requirements
- PlayStation Network Account: You must be signed in to your PlayStation Network account on the console where you intend to enable the feature.
- Single Console Limit: You can only have this feature enabled on one PS5 console at any given time.
- Manual Deactivation: If you are moving to a new console, you must manually disable the feature on your previous device first to avoid access conflicts.
- System Software: Ensure your console is updated to the latest system software version to prevent compatibility errors.
How to Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play (Step-by-Step)
- Access Settings: From your PS5 home screen, navigate to the gear icon in the top right corner to open Settings.
- Locate Account Settings: Select Users and Accounts from the menu list.
- Find the Feature: Select Other then choose Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Enable the Feature: Select Enable to activate the feature for your current console. Once enabled, other users on this specific console can access your digital purchases and subscription benefits.
Choose the next step for your situation
| Your situation | Evidence-backed next step |
|---|---|
| Enabling Console Sharing on a new PS5 console | Navigate to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play and select Enable. |
| Sharing games with other players on the same console | Turn on Console Sharing and Offline Play to share your purchases and some subscription benefits with other players on the console. |
| Switching Console Sharing to a different PS5 | Turn off Console Sharing on your previous console before activating it on the new console. |
| Deactivating a console you no longer have access to | Sign in to Account Management and remotely deactivate all devices. |
| Frequency limit for remote deactivation | Note that you can only remotely deactivate all devices once every 6 months. |
| Troubleshooting a padlock icon on games | Verify that the user who enabled Console Sharing purchased the content and that the subscription is active if applicable. |
Pro Tips & Mistakes to Avoid
The most common mistake is failing to disable the feature on an old console before selling, trading, or factory resetting it. If you no longer have physical access to that console, you must use the remote deactivation tool via the official PlayStation Account Management website. Be aware that Sony limits the remote deactivation of all devices to once every 6 months, so use this option sparingly. Additionally, remember that this feature is automatically enabled on the first PS5 console you sign into; if you are setting up a second console, you will need to manually toggle the setting on both machines to ensure the correct one is designated as your primary sharing device.
Troubleshooting & Edge Cases
If you see a padlock icon next to your games, it typically indicates a license or network issue. First, verify that the account that purchased the content has Console Sharing enabled on that specific console. Ensure your PlayStation Plus subscription is active if the game was claimed through that service. If the issue persists, check the official PlayStation Network status page for service outages. If the service is running, try turning off your router, waiting at least 5 minutes, and then restarting it to refresh your connection. If you are still experiencing issues, ensure your console has the latest system software installed, as outdated firmware can occasionally cause license verification failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I share games on more than one PS5?
No, you can only enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on one PS5 console at a time. If you enable it on a new console, it will automatically disable on the previous one, provided you have access to it.
What happens if I can't access my old console to disable sharing?
You can sign in to your account via the PlayStation website and use the remote deactivation feature to clear all devices. Note that this can only be done once every 6 months, so ensure you are ready to switch before proceeding.
Why do my games have a padlock icon?
A padlock icon usually means the console cannot verify the license for the game. This often happens if the account that owns the game has not enabled Console Sharing on that console, or if there is a temporary network connection issue preventing the console from checking your purchase history.
Does this affect my PS4 console activation?
No, PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play does not affect your other console activation limits, such as those for the PlayStation 4.
Guide Verification & Support
All steps, policies, and compatibility rules in this guide are verified against official developer documentation and platform policies. If you encounter an unresolved account or billing issue, contact official support directly.