How to use Share Play on PS4 consoles

Find out how to use Share Play to share your screen, pass over the controls, or play together with a friend on PlayStation®4 consoles.

How to start Share Play on PS4 consoles

If you’re a PlayStation Plus member, you can start Share Play from a party.

  1. Select Party from the function screen. 
    Set up or join a party with the friend you want to Share Play with.
  2. From the party screen, select Share Play.
    A connection test starts. 
  3. Select the Share Play visitor. 
  4. Choose one of the play modes.
    Share Play starts when your friend joins.
Create and join a party on PS4 consoles
PlayStation Plus support
  • You can use Share Play with only one visitor at a time.
  • If the host and visitor are playing a game together, the host must select the checkbox for Allow under Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > PS4 System Restrictions > New User Creation and Guest Login.
  • For best performance, we recommend a high-speed connection of at least 2Mbps for you and your visitor.

What is Share Play?

Using Share Play modes, your game screen appears on another player's screen. Both of you can enjoy the same game, regardless of who owns it.

  • A Share Play session automatically ends one hour after the visitor joins.
    You can view the remaining time for Share Play from the party screen.

  • Both you and the visitor need to be PlayStation Plus members to play together.
  • You can use Share Play with only one visitor at a time.
  • Share Play has some restrictions for the host and visitor.
  • You can use Share Play with players using a PlayStation®5 console or a PS4® console.
Share Play on PS5 consoles

Share Play modes on PS4 consoles

  • When you start Share Play, you're the host and your friend who joins is the visitor.
  • If you'd like to change the Share Play mode, go to the party and select Share Play > Change Play Mode.
     
Share Screen
  • Your game screen appears on the visitor's screen.
  • The visitor can't operate your screen.
Visitor plays as you
  • Your game screen appears on the visitor's screen, and the visitor plays as you.
  • You need to be a PlayStation Plus member.
Play with the visitor
  • Your game screen appears on the visitor's screen, and you both play together while viewing the same screen.
  • Even if the game you're playing doesn't support online multiplayer, you can still play together using local multiplayer via the internet.
  • The host and the visitor must be PlayStation®Plus members.
PlayStation Plus support

Share Play restrictions

Depending on your account and the game played, Share Play may not be available, or some scenes may not appear to the visitor.

  • Only the host can earn trophies during Share Play.
  • Remote Play and Broadcast are not available during Share Play on PS4 consoles.
  • If the visitor's age is lower than the game's age rating on PlayStation Store, the visitor can’t access Share Play.
Age rating on PlayStation
  • If the visitor’s parental control settings are restricting Share Play, the visitor can request an exception.
Make an exception on PS4 consoles
  • If the game isn’t available in the visitor’s country/region, the visitor is unable to access Share Play.
  • Visitors can’t save screenshots or video clips during Share Play.
  • A standby image appears on the visitor's screen when the host views a screen other than the game.
  • When the host has HDR enabled, the colours in the video seen by the visitor might be different from the colours seen by the host.

Having issues?

  • To get the best experience from Share Play, a connection with upload and download speeds of at least 2 Mbps is recommended for both host and visitor.
  • Check your connection speed by going to Settings > Network and selecting Test Internet Connection. If you’re having issues, check the guide below for troubleshooting steps.
PlayStation Repairs

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

Contact PlayStation Support