Is Sharing PS Plus on Two PS4s Legal and Secure?

Many PS Plus subscribers are curious about the feasibility of sharing their subscription with multiple devices. If you want to share your PS Plus with your brother on his PS4, this article will help you understand the legal and practical aspects of account sharing on multiple consoles.

Is It Legal to Share PS Plus?

Technically, sharing PS Plus on multiple devices is not illegal. However, the legal status is less important than the practical and security considerations. Most online services that allow account sharing, such as Netflix or Hulu, are perfectly legal and widely accepted. The same applies to PS Plus. You can technically share your account, but there are caveats and risks involved.

What Are the Risks of Sharing PS Plus?

One of the main risks of sharing a PS Plus account on multiple devices is security. Your brother could choose to set one PS4 as the "primary console," which would allow him to regain full control over your account and his own. Additionally, if you log in from multiple consoles simultaneously, you may encounter network security issues as Sony's systems specifically prevent this behavior.

How to Share PS Plus Safely

According to Sony's network security design, each account can only log in to one console at a time. It is impossible to log in to two different machines simultaneously or to use an account on another machine without logging off the first one. However, there are ways to safely share your account with other consoles:

De-register and re-register: You can de-register your PS4 from the Sony Entertainment Network website and then re-register it on the second PS4. This way, you can share your account with a different console. However, you must ensure that the second PS4 is properly re-registered and activated. Consider single-game sharing: Sony supports sharing your account with two different models of Sony consoles, such as connecting your PS account to both a PS3 and PS4. This allows you to use your account on multiple devices but limits it to single-game sharing rather than full PS Plus access.

Popular Practices and YouTube Tutorials

There are many YouTube videos and blogs online that provide detailed instructions on how to share your PS Plus account across multiple consoles. These tutorials often cover the steps to set one PS4 as the "primary console" while using the account on a second PS4. Although Sony could potentially crack down on these practices, they have not done so as of the knowledge cutoff date.

Conclusion

While sharing PS Plus on multiple devices is not illegal, it comes with practical and security challenges. To ensure safety and compliance, it is recommended to follow specific steps such as de-registering and re-registering your account or using single-game sharing. By being cautious and informed, you can enjoy the benefits of PS Plus while minimizing potential issues.