How to Make a PS5 Primary for Offline Play & Game Sharing

PDF download Download Article
How to Set a PS5 as the primary console so you can play offline and share your games with other users
PDF download Download Article

Are you trying to figure out how to set a PlayStation 5 as the primary console? Setting a Playstation console as the primary console allows you to play games you have purchased from the PlayStation Store offline. It also allows other users to play the games and media you purchased on the same console and share your PlayStation Plus benefit. The way you set a PlayStation 5 as the primary console may not be immediately obvious because the feature has a different name than it did on PlayStation 4. Now you must enable Console Sharing and Offline Play . This wikiHow article teaches you how to set a Playstation 5 console as the primary console and answers your questions.

Things You Should Know

  • Setting a PS5 as the primary console allows other users to play your games offline and play the games you downloaded. They also share your PS Plus benefits.
  • Users on non-primary PS5 consoles will NOT be able to play the games you purchased from the PS Store, share your PS Plus benefits, or play your games offline.
  • Select the "Settings" icon > "Users and Accounts" > "Other" > "Console Sharing and Offline Play > "Enable" to set a PS5 as the primary console.
Section 1 of 4:

Setting a PS5 as the Primary Console

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If your PS5 has multiple user profiles, make sure you sign in with the primary account holder's user account. This can be the parent account or the account that all PlayStation Store purchases are made through. Select the primary account holder's icon on the PlayStation 5 sign-in screen.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-2-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-2-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the icon that resembles a gear. It's in the upper-right corner of the PlayStation 5 Home screen. Use the left analog stick or directional buttons to navigate the PlayStation menu system. Press the "X" button to make a selection.
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-3-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-3-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's next to an icon that resembles a square with a smiley face or your account's profile picture. It's near the top of the Settings menu.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-4-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-4-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's in the menu bar to the left.
  5. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4b\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-5-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-5-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's a the top of the "Other" menu under "Users and Accounts."
  6. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-6-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-6-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    It's the second button at the bottom of the screen. This enables Console Sharing and Offline Play, which sets your PS5 console as the primary console.
    • The first PlayStation 5 console you log into is set as the primary automatically. If your console is already set as the primary console, you will see "Disable" and "Don't disable" at the bottom instead. Select Don't Disable to leave the console as your primary console.
    7. Advertisement
Section 2 of 4:

Console Sharing & Offline Play Uses

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/f5\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-7-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-7-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The wording has changed from the PlayStation 4 console, but enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play does the same thing as setting your PS5 as the primary console. [1]
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9e\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-8-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-8-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you have purchased a lot of games from the PlayStation Store, setting a PlayStation 5 as the primary console allows other users who have an user account on your PlayStation 5 to play those games and as well.
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-9-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-9-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    An internet connection is needed for the PlayStation 5 to verify the licenses to the games you have purchased. If your console is not set as the primary console, you cannot play the games you have purchased without an internet connection.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/73\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-10-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-10-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Any other users who have a user account on your PlayStation 5 can also enjoy the benefits of your PlayStation Plus subscription if you happen to have one. This includes the ability to play online or to play free monthly games, and games from the Games catalog.
    5. Advertisement
Section 3 of 4:

Can I Set More Than One Primary PS5?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/bf\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    If you try to enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on another PlayStation 5 console, it will be disabled on your current console. You will not be able to play games offline on that console, and other users on that console will not be able to play your games or share your PlayStation Plus benefits.
Section 4 of 4:

Will It Affect My Primary PlayStation 4?

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9f\/Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-728px-Make-Ps5-Primary-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PlayStation 5 will not affect the activation limits on any of your other PlayStation consoles. If you have a PlayStation 4 set as the primary console, it will remain the primary PlayStation 4 console after enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PlayStation 5. In other words, you can have a primary PlayStation 5 and a primary PlayStation 4. [2]
    2. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Connect Switch to a PC: The Ultimate Guide
      How to
      Do 2-Player Split Screen Mode in Fortnite
      The Fastest & Easiest Way to Unlock Full Body Haki in Blox Fruits
      BitLife Model Career Guide: Steps, Elite Gigs, Auditions, & More
      How to
      Contact Activision
      Simple Ways to Get God Human in Blox Fruits
      The Best Fruits in Blox Fruit Ranked
      How to
      Contact PlayStation
      How to
      Become President in BitLife: Everything You Need To Know
      What Is the Best Race in Blox Fruits & How to Change It?
      How to
      Fix a PlayStation 5 Controller Flashing Blue: 6 Tips
      How to
      Make Money Quickly & Efficiently in Stardew Valley
      Your Comprehensive Guide to Getting Tushita in Blox Fruits
      Hollow Knight: Full Game Walkthrough for 100% Completion
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.gamesradar.com/ps5-game-sharing-how-do-you-assign-a-primary-ps5-console/
      2. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/account/ps5-console-sharing-offline-play/

      About This Article

      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 84,472 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement