Modern game consoles like the Playstation 5 have a great new function where you can log into your account on another PS5 and play your digitally owned titles. However, you may have noticed that you can only play your digital titles without an internet connection when you’re on your primary PS5. So, how do you determine which PS5 is your primary PS5?
To adjust your primary PS5, log into your account on your current primary PS5 and disable the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” setting in the Users and Accounts settings. Then, log into the same account on your desired PS5 and enable the same setting to set the device as your primary PS5.
That’s the general idea, but what exactly does it mean to have a primary device, and are there any other associated benefits? Let’s get into the idea of a primary PS5 in more detail so that you can start playing your digital titles offline wherever you want.
Getting Started With PS5
Before you can set your PS5 as your primary PS5, you need to get the console set up in the first place. We have a much more in-depth guide on the PS5 console you can peruse after this, but for now, here are the simple steps. Thankfully, setting up a PlayStation 5 is a straightforward process that can be completed in a few easy steps.
Here’s a simple guide on how to set up your PS5:
- Unbox your PS5 and its accessories, including the console, controller, HDMI cable, and power cable.
- Plug in the power cable to your PS5 and connect the HDMI cable from the console to your TV or monitor. Turn on your TV or monitor and set it to the correct input.
- Press the power button on the front of the PS5 to turn it on. This button will be on the opposite side of the console from the side the cords plug in to.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your PS5. This includes selecting your language, connecting to Wi-Fi, signing in or creating a PlayStation Network account, and adjusting your settings.
- Once your PS5 is set up, you should download and install any available system updates to ensure that your console is up to date. You can also start downloading and installing games.
- After everything is set up and installed, you’re ready to start playing your favorite games on your PS5.
What Is a Primary PS5?
In order to understand what a primary PS5 is, we need to first cover Playstation’s PS5 Console Sharing feature. If you’ve ever logged into your PSN account on a friend’s PS5, you may have noticed that it wouldn’t let you play your games unless you were logged in with an internet connection. This is because your friend’s PS5 is not set as your primary PS5.
You can only play digital games offline on your PS5 if the device is designated as your primary PS5. This is so that Playstation can be certain that you’re the only person using your PS5 account to play your digital titles. If you’re actually trying to use two PS5s in your home, note that they make pretty good all-purpose media centers (and even include a web browser).
Usually, Playstation can be certain that you’re the only one playing games on your account because your account can only be logged into Playstation’s servers on one device at a time. Without the primary PS5 setting, all you would have to do to give someone else access to your full digital library is make sure to tell them to play your games while they’re not connected to the internet.
For this purpose, Sony invented the concept of you having a primary PS5. Your primary PS5 is the only PS5 that you can use to play the digital games purchased by your PSN account while offline.
Primary Account Sharing
Your primary PS5 is automatically set to the PS5 your PSN account logs into first, and you can only have one primary PS5 at a time. So, what if you logged into a friend’s PS5 before you logged into your own? Are you just locked out of your digital titles unless you’re connected to the internet forever?
Thankfully, it’s entirely possible to change which PS5 is set as your primary PS5. This is done in two simple steps: First, you need to turn off “Console Sharing and Offline Play” on your current primary PS5, and then turn on the same setting on your desired PS5. Let’s go through how to do both of these steps.
This can get a little complicated when it comes to game installs, because a game installed on one PS5 won’t automatically play on both of the consoles you have at home. That said, if you’ve added more storage with an SSD and download your games to that, you can move the SSD to whichever console you want to play the game on.
How to Disable Console Sharing and Offline Play on Your Primary PS5
Disabling the Console Sharing and Offline Play setting on a PS5 will make it so that the PS5 you’re using is no longer set as your primary PS5. Thankfully, this is extremely easy to do. You just need to follow these steps:
- Turn on your primary PS5 and log into your PSN account.
- Open the Settings at the top right of the home screen and select “Users and Accounts.”
- From here, select “Other” and then “Console Sharing and Offline Play.”
- Select “Disable” to turn off the setting.
Now this PS5 is no longer set as your primary PS5. That means that you’ll no longer be able to play your PSN account’s digital titles on this device without an internet connection, but it also means that you’re now free to set another PS5 as your primary PS5.
How to Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on Your PS5
Enabling the Console Sharing and Offline Play setting on your PS5 will set the PS5 you’re using as your primary PS5. Turning on this feature is just as easy as turning it off was. You just need to follow these simple steps:
- Turn on the PS5 you would like to set as your primary PS5 and log into your PSN account.
- Open the Settings at the top right of the home screen and select “Users and Accounts.”
- From here, select “Other” and then “Console Sharing and Offline Play.”
- Select “Enable” to turn on the setting.
Now the PS5 you’re using is set as your primary PS5. This means that you’re now free to play your digital titles without being connected to an internet connection on this device.
PS5 System Settings
The PlayStation 5 system settings offer a range of customization options beyond just changing your primary device. These settings can be accessed by selecting the gear icon on the home screen and then navigating to the “System” tab.
Here are some of the key PS5 system settings:
- Power Saving Settings: This section allows users to adjust their console’s power usage, including automatic power-down settings, display power saving options, and controller power-saving options.
- Display and Sound: Here, users can adjust their console’s video output and audio settings, including resolution, HDR, and color format. They can also adjust audio settings such as volume, microphone sensitivity, and headphone audio.
- Notifications: This section lets users customize their console’s notifications, including pop-up notifications for messages, invites, and game alerts. Users can also choose to receive notifications for events and community activities.
- System Software: This section allows users to manage their console’s system software, including automatic downloads and updates, data backups, and restores.
- Accessories: Here, users can manage their PS5 accessories, including controllers, headsets, and other peripherals. They can also customize settings for their DualSense wireless controller, including vibration intensity, trigger effect intensity, and motion sensor calibration.
- Family and Parental Controls: This section allows users to set up parental controls and restrictions, including age limits for games and media, and control over communication and content sharing.
Troubleshooting PS5 Issues
The PlayStation 5 is a powerful gaming console, but like any electronic device, it can encounter issues from time to time. If you’re experiencing problems with your PS5, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot the issue and get your console back up and running.
The first step is to ensure that your PS5 is updated to the latest firmware. Check for updates in the system settings menu and install any available updates. This can often resolve issues related to system performance or stability.
If your PS5 isn’t powering on or is experiencing other hardware issues, check all connections and cables to ensure they’re securely plugged in. Try using different cables or ports to see if the issue is with the hardware itself.
If these steps don’t resolve the issue, try resetting your PS5 to its default settings. This will erase all data on the console, so be sure to back up any important files before proceeding. To reset the PS5, go to the settings menu and select “System,” then “Reset Options,” and choose “Reset Your Console.”
If none of these steps resolve your PS5 issue, contact Sony support for further assistance. They may be able to help you troubleshoot the issue or arrange for repairs or replacement if necessary.