Sharing your gameplay

With Share Play, two players who have joined the same party can share the game screen in real time. The player who initiates Share Play is the host, and the player who joins is the visitor.

  • You can use Share Play with players using a PS5™ console or a PS4™ system.
  • For details on parties, see “Joining a party”.
  • A child who is restricted by parental controls might not be able to use this feature.

What you can do with Share Play

Share Play has three play modes.

  • Share Screen
    You can share your gameplay with a visitor. Your visitor can't operate your screen.
    There's no need for either of you to be a PlayStation®Plus member to use this feature.
  • Visitor Plays as You
    If you want your visitor's help with a game, or they want to try out some of your games, your visitor can play as you. Only you, as the host, need to be a PlayStation®Plus member to use this feature.
  • Play with the Visitor
    Viewing the same screen, you and your visitor play together using local multiplayer. Both of you need to be PlayStation®Plus members.
  • You can use Share Play for up to 1 hour at a time. Share Play automatically ends 1 hour after the visitor joins.
  • You can view the remaining time for Share Play from the party screen. For details about the party screen, see “What's on the party screen”.
  • Only the host can earn trophies during Share Play.
  • During Share Play, when the host views a screen other than the game screen, a standby image appears on the visitor's system.
  • For the host and visitor to play a game together, the host's device needs to be set up in advance. If you are the host, from your PS4™ system go to (Settings) > [Parental Controls/Family Management] > [PS4 System Restrictions] > [New User Creation and Guest Login] and then select [Allow].
  • Depending on the player's account and the game played, Share Play may not be available, or some scenes may not appear to the visitor.
  • When the host has HDR enabled, the colors in the video seen by the visitor might be different from the colors seen by the host.

Starting Share Play as a host

From the party screen, select [Share Play] > [Start Share Play], and then select the visitor and play mode. When a visitor joins Share Play, your system's screen is shared with the visitor.

Stop Share Play

Select [Share Play] > [Stop Share Play] from the party screen. Share Play will stop and the system will return to the party screen.

To check how much time is remaining, or to change the play mode, select [Share Play] on the quick menu.

Joining Share Play as a visitor

Select [Share Play] > [Join Share Play] from the party screen.

Screen during Share Play. Labeled A.

A )
Share Play visitor status
(Watching Host Play) You cannot control the host’s screen.
(Playing as Host) You can control the host’s screen.
(Playing as Host) You cannot control the host’s screen during intervals when the game does not allow it.
(Playing Game with Host) Both host and visitor can control the same screen.
(Playing Game with Host) The visitor cannot control the host’s screen during intervals when the game does not allow it, or when the visitor is not a PlayStation®Plus member.
  • As a Visitor, you can display your own home screen and control your PS4™ system by pressing the PS button during Share Play. To return to the host’s screen, select (Share Play) from the content area.
  • Share Play stops and the system returns to the party screen when you select [Share Play] > [Leave Share Play].
  • Visitors cannot save screenshots or video clips from the host’s screen.

When you cannot connect to Share Play

To get the best experience from Share Play, both the host and the visitor must each have a high-speed Internet connection. Refer to this information if you experience Share Play connection or stability issues.

  • Generally, a minimum upstream and downstream connection speed of 2 Mbps is recommended.
    You can view an estimate of your connection speed in (Settings) > [Network] > [Test Internet Connection].
  • A wired Internet connection is recommended for the PS4™ system.
  • If you're using a Wi-Fi (wireless) connection, place the PS4™ system closer to the access point or router and make sure there are no obstructions between them.
  • Do not use Share Play while other devices on your network are using a large amount of bandwidth.

Connection speed varies depending on your network. For details, contact your Internet service provider.