Game Share lets two people play the same games on separate PS5 consoles without buying two copies

Game Share is a PlayStation feature that lets you share your game library with another person on a different console. When you set up Game Share, the other person can read and play any game you own on their PS5, and you can play their games on yours. You each keep your own account and save files — Game Share just removes the need to buy duplicate copies of the same game.

The catch is that only one of you can play a shared game at the same time. If you're playing a game you own, the other person can't play it simultaneously on their console. This is how PlayStation prevents one purchase from working for unlimited people.

Key Takeaways

  • Game Share requires you to log into your account on someone else's PS5 and set that console as your "home console" in your account settings.
  • The person who owns the console can play any game from your library, but only one person can play a shared game at the same time.
  • You can set up Game Share with only one other person — you cannot share with multiple households or friends.
  • If you change your password or remove Game Share, the other person loses access to your games when ready.

How to set up Game Share on your PS5

To set up Game Share, you need access to both consoles. Log into your PlayStation Network account on the other person's PS5. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Console Sharing and Offline Play. Select Enable. That console is now your "home console."

Once you enable Console Sharing on their PS5, log back into your own account on your own console. You don't need to do anything else on your console — the setup is complete. The other person can now see your entire game library in their library and read any game you own. You can see their games the same way on your console.

The person whose console is set as your home console can play your games without owning your account. Anyone else who uses that console can also play your games. This is why Game Share works best between people who live together or trust each other completely.

What happens when you play at the same time

If you try to play the same game simultaneously, one of you will get an error message saying the game is not available. The person who started playing first keeps access. The second person has to wait until the first person closes the game or switches to a different game.

This applies only to shared games. If you each own your own copy of a game, you can both play it at the same time without any problem. The restriction only kicks in when you're trying to use the same license.

Removing Game Share and what it costs

You can remove Game Share at any time. Go to Settings, then Users and Accounts, then Other, then Console Sharing and Offline Play, and select Disable. The moment you do, the other person loses access to all your games. Any games they were in the middle of playing will close.

If you change your PlayStation Network password, Game Share stays active, but if someone else logs into your account on that console, they'll see the new password requirement. Changing your password does not automatically disable Game Share — you have to do that manually.

There is no cost to set up Game Share. It's a built-in PlayStation feature. You don't pay extra, and the other person doesn't need PlayStation Plus to play your games — though they will need PlayStation Plus if they want to play online multiplayer.

Game Share versus PlayStation Plus Extra and Premium

PlayStation Plus Extra and PlayStation Plus Premium are subscription services that give you access to a library of games you can read. Game Share is different — it shares only the games you personally own, not a subscription library.

If you have PlayStation Plus Extra and set up Game Share, the other person does not automatically get your PlayStation Plus subscription. They get access to the games you bought, but not to the games included in your Plus membership. If they want those Plus games, they need their own subscription.

Some people use both: they share their purchased games via Game Share and maintain separate PlayStation Plus subscriptions for online play and the included game library.

Risks and things to know before you set up Game Share

Game Share requires you to log into your account on someone else's console. This means they have temporary access to your account, your payment method, and your personal information. Only set up Game Share with people you trust completely — family members or very close friends who live with you.

If the other person changes your password, adds a new payment method, or makes purchases on your account, you won't know until you check. PlayStation does not monitor or prevent these actions. You are responsible for anything that happens on your account while it's logged in on their console.

If you ever want to stop sharing, you have to physically access the other console or contact PlayStation Support to remove it remotely. If you've lost contact with the person or the relationship has ended, you may need PlayStation's help to regain control of your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set up Game Share with more than one person?

No. You can only set one console as your home console at a time. If you set up Game Share on a second console, the first one automatically stops being your home console and loses access to your games.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to use Game Share?

You don't need PlayStation Plus to read or play shared games. However, if you want to play online multiplayer in those games, you or the other person will need an active PlayStation Plus subscription.

What happens if I move or get a new PS5?

You can change which console is your home console whenever you want. Log into your account on the new console, go to Console Sharing and Offline Play, and enable it. The old console will automatically lose access to your games.

Can the other person play my games if I'm offline?

Yes. As long as your account is set as the home console on their PS5, they can play your games even if you're not online. They don't need you to be logged in or connected to the internet.

What if someone hacks my PlayStation account?

If your account is compromised, change your password when ready and disable Console Sharing on any console you don't recognize. Contact PlayStation Support to review your account activity and remove unauthorized access.