How to deactivate a PlayStation console

Learn how to deactivate your PlayStation consoles to allow new console activation and avoid activation limits.

How to deactivate a PS5 console

To activate a new PlayStation®5 console, you need to manually deactivate your previous PS5® console. If you can't access the console, it's still possible to remotely deactivate all devices attached to your account.

  1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other.
  2. Select Console Sharing and Offline Play > Disable.

Please note, deactivating your console does not delete your data or damage your console.

  1. Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4.
  2. Select Deactivate > Yes.
  1. Select your local user account and go to PlayStation Network > Sign-in > Account Management.
  2. Go to System Activation and highlight PS3.
  3. Select the type of content you want to deactivate for your PlayStation®3 console: Game or Video.
  4. Select Deactivate System.
  1. Tap Settings on the home screen.
  2. Go to PlayStation Network > System Activation.
  3. Select the type of content you want to deactivate: Game or Video.
  4. Tap Deactivate > OK.

How to remotely deactivate all consoles 

If you can't access a PlayStation console, it’s still possible to deactivate and sign out of all devices attached to your account.

You can only deactivate your consoles once every six months.

  1. Sign in to Account Management.
  2. Select Device Management > PlayStation Consoles > Deactivate All Devices.

  • You can’t remotely deactivate individual PlayStation consoles. If you want to deactivate inaccessible consoles, you need to deactivate all consoles.

  • To sign out from inaccessible consoles, change your password.

Reset password

Important: activation limits

Activating a console links it to your account and allows you to access PlayStation™Store purchases. You can connect your account to a limited amount of consoles. You can have the following activations on your account:

Type of Console Activation Limits
PS5 console* 1
PlayStation®4 console 1
PlayStation®3 console 2
PlayStation® Vita/TV 3

* Console sharing and Offline Play

  • You can have both a PS5 console and a PS4™ console activated at the same time.

  • If you use your account on multiple PS5 consoles or PS4 consoles, you can only activate one each.

How to activate a PlayStation console

Activating your console allows you to share purchases and certain subscription benefits with other players on that console.   

Activate PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play
Activate PS4 consoles, PS3 consoles and PS Vita

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

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