PS4: How to activate
Find out about activating a PlayStation 4 to access your PSN account.
How to activate your PS4 system
Just sign into your PSN account on your PS4 and follow the onscreen instructions.
If you’re activating a second PS4 or you’re signing into PSN on a friend’s system, you might want to learn a little more about activation to keep your PSN account secure but accessible, so you can safely share selected account benefits.
Whose PS4 are you signing into?
Your PS4
- Select your local user or select [New User] on the PS4 system’s log-in screen. This is the first screen you see after your PS4 starts up.
- Sign into PSN.
- If you don’t have another system activated on your PSN account, this PS4 is automatically activated as your primary, so you won’t see step 4.
- If you have a primary PS4 already, you’ll see a screen asking if you’d like to make this system your primary PS4. Choose [Change Primary PS4].
You can also activate a system as your Primary PS4 later. Go to 
[Settings] > 
[PlayStation Network/Account Management] > [Activate as Your Primary PlayStation 4] > [Activate] and follow the instructions to do this.
A friend’s PS4
Only activate your own PS4 as your primary system. This is to make sure that everyone who uses your home PS4 can keep access to all shared features and services, even if you’re signed into PSN elsewhere.
To avoid accidentally activating your friend’s system on your account follow these steps:
- On the PS4 system’s log-in screen select [Play as a Guest] to create a temporary local user.
- Sign into PSN.