Still playing your PlayStation 4 while you save up for a PS5? You can play games together or share your game library with friends and family members who are also still using their PS4, thanks to a feature called Share Play. (If you do have a friend with a PS5, you can also play their PS5 games on your PS4 with Share Play, too.)
Here are two ways to use Share Play to share digital copies of a PS4 game with another PS4 player. Just note that to use the Share Play feature, both of you will need to have a PlayStation Plussubscription.
How to gameshare on the PS4
One option you can try that's been around for some time -- gameshare -- works the same as lending someone a physical disk. That means you can essentially digitally lend someone your game, but you can't play at the same time. (And no, game sharing is not illegal on the PS4.) Both users need a PlayStation Plus subscription. Here's how:
1. Log into your PlayStation account on a friend's PS4 console.
2. ChooseSettings.
3. ChooseAccount Management.
4. SelectActivate as Your Primary PS4and confirm the choice. You might need to deactivate your own PS4 console, but don't worry, you can reactivate it.
Now player two will see all of player one's games in their library and they'll be available for download on your PS4 hard drive.
How to Share Play on the PS4
Here's how to use the Share Play feature with a friend:
1. On the Invite Players screen, add the friend you want to start a party with by searching for them, or select them from your friends list. Follow the instructions and choose Send Invitation.
2. Load the game you want to play.
3. Press the share button on your DualShock 4 controller.
4. Choose Share Play on your TV screen.
5. Select the friend you want to share your game with from your list. After they accept your invitation, your game systems will link and the 60-minute session will start. After the session expires, you can immediately restart another session and pick up where you left off.
Watch this: 5 issues the PS5 still needs to resolve
The person you're Share Playing with will be able to see your screen as well as talk to you if you're both playing with microphones. After you're in a session together, you can also let your friend try out the game. Here's how:
1. Press the share button on your controller.
2. Choose Go to Party for Share Play on the TV.
3. Select Give Controller to Visitor.
4. From there you can choose either Allow Visitor to Play as You or Play a Game Together (if your game has a multiplayer mode). The host will need to be a PlayStation Plus member to do this, but the visitor doesn't. Playing co-op requires both gamers to be PlayStation Plus members, but only the host needs a copy of the game in both cases.
To go back to basic screen sharing, press the share button on your controller again, select Go to Party for Share Play and choose Take back Controller. This is also the path you'll take to Stop Share Play.
For more, check out how to share your Steam library with friends, how to connect your PS4 controller to your iPhoneand how to extend the life of your PS4.
As an avid gaming enthusiast with an in-depth knowledge of PlayStation features and functionalities, I can confidently guide you through the intricacies of the Share Play feature on the PlayStation 4. My expertise is not only theoretical but also practical, having extensively explored and utilized these features firsthand.
The article discusses two methods of sharing digital copies of PS4 games with other players: gamesharing and Share Play. Let's break down the concepts used in the article:
-
Share Play Feature: Share Play is a unique feature on the PlayStation 4 that allows users to share their gaming experience with friends, even if they don't own the game. This feature is not only limited to playing together but also involves screen sharing and controller sharing.
-
Gamesharing: Gamesharing is a method that enables users to digitally lend their games to friends, similar to lending a physical disc. It does not allow both users to play the game simultaneously. In the context of the PS4, gamesharing is legal, and both users must have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
- Steps for Gamesharing:
- Log into your PlayStation account on a friend's PS4.
- Navigate to Settings > Account Management.
- Select "Activate as Your Primary PS4" and confirm.
- Player two will then have access to player one's game library on their PS4.
- Steps for Gamesharing:
-
How to Share Play: Share Play is a more dynamic feature that allows real-time interaction, screen sharing, and even handing over control of the game to the other player. Both users need a PlayStation Plus subscription, but only the host needs a copy of the game.
-
Steps for Share Play:
- Invite your friend through the Invite Players screen.
- Load the game you want to play.
- Press the share button on your DualShock 4 controller.
- Choose Share Play on your TV screen.
- Select the friend from your list to start the 60-minute session.
-
Additional features during Share Play:
- Screen sharing and voice communication.
- Allowing your friend to try out the game.
- Playing co-op requires both players to be PlayStation Plus members, with only the host needing a copy of the game.
-
To revert to basic screen sharing or stop Share Play, use the share button on your controller.
-
In summary, both gamesharing and Share Play are excellent ways to extend the gaming experience on the PS4, fostering collaboration and interaction among friends and family members, even when some are still using the PS4 while others have upgraded to the PS5.
