How to join a game on PS5 consoles

Find out how to join a game with your friends on a PlayStation®5 console.

For certain games, you need to be a PlayStation®Plus member for online multiplayer. Check PlayStation™Store for more information. 

PlayStation Plus support
PlayStation Store

How to join a game group on PS5 consoles

When you have a friend in a game group you can join, find that group on their profile or on the card labeled Play With Friends in the control center. You can join the group if you have the game installed and there are open slots in the group.

  1. Select the game group and then select Join.  
  2. There may be times where you need to request to join the game group. When this happens, simply select Request to Join. 

When you're invited by another player to play a game, you receive a notification. Open the notification and select Join.

Manage notifications on PS5 consoles

How to invite players to your game group on PS5 consoles

You can also invite a player or players to your current game, or you can start a new game. Send game invites to other players in the following ways:

  • Go to a player's profile and select Invite to Game. Select one of the options and follow the on-screen instructions.
    This method works only for PS5 games.
  • Go to the control centre and select Game Base. Select either an online friend, group of players, or party and select Invite to Game.
    If you select a group of players or party, an invitation is sent to all members. 
    This method works only for PS5 games.
  • For most games, you can invite a player from within the game. The way you invite a player might be different for each game.
    This method works for both PS5 and PS4 games.
  • If there's a player in your group of players or party that you've blocked, they won't receive your game invite.
  • When you want to leave your game group, simply close the game.
Join a party on PS5 consoles
Join a party on PS4 consoles

How to manage your game group

When you start a game that other players can join, a game group is created and you become the group leader.

Select the card in the control center labeled In Progress to manage your game group.

If you're not the group leader, you can still use the card to view group details and the profiles of other players in the game group.

A ) Invite to Game

Select Players
Select friends, a group of players, a party, and even players you've played together with to join your game group.

Share Link
Scan the QR Code™ with your mobile device to get a link to your game group. Send the link to people you want to invite. When the recipient opens the link, they can follow the on-screen instructions to join your game group. This feature is available only for game groups that anyone can join.

B ) Game settings
Choose who can join your game group, who can invite others to the group, and who can request to join the group.

C ) Players
View who's in the game group. If there are more players in the group than what is shown, select View All Players.
The group leader is characterized by the Group Leader icon.
As the group leader, you can select a player to promote to group leader (there can only be one group leader at a time) or kick out a player.

D ) Game details
View details such as when the game group was created and the compatible versions of the game. If there are more details than what is shown, select View All Details.

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