A game bought on one PlayStation account can be launched by another user of the same console. To do this, the owner account gives the console "console sharing" (on PS5) or makes it "primary" (on PS4). This is how family accounts work, as well as game rental: you sign in to the profile you were given, enable console sharing, and play from your own. We cover the settings and common problems.
How to add a second account to the console
On the user selection screen, choose "Add User → Get Started", accept the agreement and sign in with your email and password. Don't choose "Guest": the guest profile disappears after a restart. If the account is protected with two-step verification, you'll need a code from SMS, an app, or a backup code.
PS5: console sharing and offline play
Sign in to the profile the game was bought on and open "Settings → Users and Accounts → Other → Console Sharing and Offline Play → Enable". After that, all console users see this account's games in their library and launch them from their own profiles, trophies and saves go to their own account, and the internet is only needed to launch the game. Console sharing can be enabled on only one PS5 per account.
PS4: primary console
On PS4 the same thing is called "Activate as Your Primary PS4": "Settings → Account Management → Activate as Your Primary PS4 → Activate". An account can also have only one primary PS4.
Playing from your own profile
After enabling console sharing, sign out of the other profile and sign in to your own. The game will appear in your library. On PS5 you'll find it under "Library → Your Collection", on PS4 under "Library → Purchased". Online modes require PS Plus on the account you're playing from.
Why deactivate the console
If you play directly from someone else's profile (for rentals this is the P2 format), you don't need to enable sharing, otherwise the console will take up the account's only slot. Do the opposite: on PS4, "Activate as Your Primary PS4 → Deactivate", and on PS5 turn off console sharing. If the "Deactivate" button is inactive, you don't need to do anything. For the difference between P2 and P3, see FAQ.
Padlock on the game and an empty library
- Check your internet connection and restart the console.
- Restore licenses: on PS4 "Settings → Account Management → Restore Licenses", on PS5 "Settings → Users and Accounts → Other → Restore Licenses".
- Sign in to the game owner's profile and make sure console sharing or the primary console is enabled.
- If PS Store and the library won't open at all, it helps to use setting up DNS on PS4 and PS5.
Sony restriction
"Deactivate All Devices" on the PlayStation website can only be used once every six months. So turn off console sharing and the primary console manually from the console itself, not through the website, especially if the account isn't yours.