PlayStation · Accounts & Family

Sign in, manage, and secure your PlayStation Network account

Your PSN account holds your purchases, trophies, friends list, and subscriptions. Signing in correctly and setting one console as your "primary" console controls who on that console can access your purchased games and add-ons offline.

How to open Account Sign-In & PSN Management

  1. From the power-off screen or Control Center, select "New User" or "Add User."
  2. Choose Sign In (existing account) or Create a New Account.
  3. Enter your email and password, then complete two-factor verification if enabled.
  4. Set up a local profile picture and online ID visibility preferences.

What you should know

  • Found under Settings → Users and Accounts → Account, or by selecting your profile icon from the Control Center.
  • Activating a console as "Primary" (Settings → Users and Accounts → Other → Console Sharing and Offline Play on PS5, or Activate as Your Primary PS4 on PS4) lets every local user on that console play your purchased content without needing to be signed in as you.
  • Only one console can be your primary console at a time — activating a new one deactivates the previous one.

Deactivate your account as the primary console before selling, trading in, or giving away a console — otherwise the new owner could potentially access your purchased library through other local profiles.

Why it matters

Most "I bought this game but another controller/profile can't play it" tickets trace back to primary console settings, not a purchase problem — understanding this menu saves a support call.

Best practices

  • Turn on two-factor authentication under Account → Security to protect your saved payment methods and purchase history.
  • Keep your sign-in email current — PSN password resets and security alerts go there.

Common problems and fixes

Second controller/profile can't launch a purchased game
Activate that console as your primary console, or sign the other profile in with its own PSN account.
Forgot PSN password or lost access to sign-in email
Use the "Forgot your password?" or "Forgot your ID?" link on the sign-in screen, or recover the account at PlayStation's account recovery site.

Tips and tricks

  • The PlayStation App lets you check sign-in activity, manage linked devices, and reset your password without touching the console at all.

Frequently asked questions

Can I be signed in to the same account on two consoles at once?

Yes, but only one of them can be your primary console for offline purchase access; both can still be used online simultaneously with some feature limits.