Can You Use PS5 Without Internet? (Explained)

The PlayStation 5 has been at the forefront of gaming and gaming-related news since its launch in November 2020. And while it does have more than enough specs to keep gaming enthusiasts excited for the next few years, some users still worry about the full extent of its capabilities. For example, can you use the console without an internet connection?

You can use the PS5 without an internet connection, but you’ll need to activate Console Sharing and Offline Play. This setting allows users to enjoy the PlayStation 5 console without connecting to the internet, albeit with some limited functionalities.

This article will dive into all the details about Console Sharing and Offline Play. Let’s get started!

What Is PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play?

While the PS5 comes with all the bells and whistles, one would expect of a next-gen gaming system—including upgraded processing power and backward compatibility—the PS5 also allows users to game as much as they’d like without connecting to the internet.

Sony refers to this feature as Console Sharing and Offline Play. But what exactly is it, and is it necessary for every gamer?

Console Sharing and Offline Play is a setting that, when enabled, allows anyone to use your PS5 console without an internet connection. In other words, you can game, watch media, or even explore other parts of your PlayStation 5 console while offline.

The feature is similar to the PlayStation 4’s “Activate Your Console As Primary” and offers a similar experience to users.

Besides playing games and media without an internet connection, Console Sharing and Offline Play also allow users to enjoy some added benefits, like Game Help, provided they’re PlayStation Plus members.

The feature also means that the games on your account will be available to anyone that uses your console, whether they’re signed into your account or another account on the device.

Still, the offline feature means you won’t be able to enjoy the full capabilities of the PS5 console, especially if you’re interested in online multiplayer games.

Unfortunately, Console Sharing and Offline Play is also limited to one console at a time, so you won’t be able to activate it on more than one device at a time.

But how do you turn on Console Sharing and Offline Play on a PS5?

How To Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on Your PS5

All PlayStation 5 consoles will automatically enable Console Sharing and Offline Play when you boot up your device for the first time. This process requires an internet connection, and you must sign into the PlayStation Network. However, you can manually turn on the setting if you want to play offline.

Here’s how to enable Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5:

1. Click on the “Settings” icon on the home screen.
2. Find and select the “Users and Accounts” option on the new screen.
3. Scroll down to “Other,” click right and select “Console Sharing and Offline Play.”
4. Select “Enable” and head back to the home screen.

It’s that easy!

However, there’s just one small thing you need to keep in mind when using Console Sharing and Offline Play. You’ll need to consider what type of PS5 you’re using to ensure you don’t lose all functionality without an internet connection.

This is important since the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition validates games differently from the Disk PlayStation 5.

In a nutshell, you can use the Disk PS5 without connecting to the internet since you can just insert the game you’d like to play.

However, you need to connect your console to the internet to download games and media if you plan to use the PS5 Digital Edition without an internet connection.

How To Disable Console Sharing and Offline Play on Your PS5

The PS5 doesn’t allow users to simultaneously activate Console Sharing and Offline Play on multiple devices. Therefore, you’ll need to turn off the feature on one console if you plan on playing it on another.

Here’s how to disable Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5:

1. Click on the “Settings” icon on the home screen.
2. Find and select the “Users and Accounts” option on the new screen.
3. Scroll down to “Other,” click right and select “Console Sharing and Offline Play.”
4. Select “Disable” and head back to the home screen.

These steps are similar to enabling Console Sharing and Offline Play, but they only work if you’re physically present with your PS5. However, you can also remotely disable Console Sharing and Offline Play on your console if you don’t have access.

Here’s how to remotely disable Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5.

1. Log on to the PlayStation Account Management website.
2. Provide your sign-in details by inputting your PlaySation-registered email address and password.
3. Select “Device Management” on the side menu.
4. Click on the “PlayStation Consoles” option.
5. Scroll down the page and select the “Deactivate All Devices” button.

If you followed the steps correctly, this should immediately deactivate your account on all consoles. Still, we recommend you save this method for emergencies only since Sony allows you to deactivate all devices remotely once every six months.

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Pros of Using PS5 With Internet

It’s no news that you’ll need an internet connection to get the most out of a PlayStation console, even though the PS5’s Console Sharing and Offline Play feature is pretty useful. But what advantages can you get from using a PlayStation 5 with an internet connection?

Here are the pros of using a PS5 with an internet connection:

1. You’ll get early access to passive data updates and patches to fix bugs and buggy games.
2. You’ll be able to join online multiplayer games and play with friends.
3. You’ll get full access to the PlayStation store, including new titles and updates.

These pros are pretty juicy, but some gamers might need more incentives to consider using an internet connection every time they game on their PS5. Therefore, we recommend you assess your needs and decide what works best for you when using the console.

What Are the Internet Requirements for Using a PS5?

Now that we’ve explored the pros of using a PlayStation with an internet connection, let’s get technical. In essence, what are the internet requirements for using a PlayStation 5?

After all, like every internet-enabled device, your PS5 needs some bare essentials to ensure you get an optimal experience as a user.

You’ll need at least 3 Mbps to play games on the PlayStation 5. This speed should be enough to run and download most games, but you’ll have a richer experience with faster internet speeds.

We recommend internet speeds of between 50 and 100 Mbps if you want to get the most out of your console.

Still, you might use a high-speed internet connection but notice high pings during gameplay or slow download speeds during updates. This problem might be because your console keeps losing its internet connection.

We’ve already written about this issue, and you can check out the full article to learn why your PS5 keeps losing its internet connection.

The Bottom Line

Thanks to the Console Sharing and Offline Play feature, you can use the PS5 without an internet connection. However, you’ll need to enable the setting to use it on your device.