Activating the PS4 as the main one in the system PlayStation Network

By setting your PS4 as the primary device, you gain privileges to PS Store content, subscriptions, and other functionalities tied to your account. The primary status can only be assigned to a single console. Activating another system will designate it as the primary PS4.

Differences between the functionality available for the master system and that which is closed to the temporarily activated system

As the owner, it is recommended to activate your own PS4 directly. There are several PSN features that are available only for the owner and cannot be accessed on a temporarily activated PS4:

1. The ability to remotely connect to your PS4 via the internet and play games on other gaming devices;
2. Apps purchased by the owner from the PS™ Store will be accessible to anyone using the main system;
3. Downloading games and other content from the PS Store using your PS4’s network;
4. Automatic downloading. Your PS4 can automatically download pre-ordered or purchased content to the PS App.

Thanks to the main PS4, other users will have access to certain PlayStation Network features:

1. The Network Game Mode is available when you have a PS Plus subscription. All users of the primary console can enjoy the benefits of PS Plus.
2. Anyone using the primary PS4 can access and play downloaded content from the PS Store, including themes purchased by the account owner.

Up to 16 accounts can be created on the console. If another device is set as the primary console, access will be restricted.

On a PS4 that is not set as the primary console, only the account holder can play games purchased through their account and enjoy the benefits of a PS Plus subscription.

Once you sign in to PSN for the first time, the console that you are using will be designated as the primary console. To activate the PS4 after the initial login, you will need to follow these steps:

• Access the Settings menu;
• Navigate to "Account Management";
• Select the "Activate as primary" option;

Figure 1. Turning on the PS4

Activation instructions

To determine the sequence for activating and logging into the PS4 on both your own and another person’s device, follow these steps. Remember to only activate the main system of the console that belongs to you in order to grant access to all services and features for anyone using your home PS4 and logging into PSN from another location. The process for activating PSN on your console is as follows:

1. On the initial launch screen, you will be prompted to select your profile. Choose "New User."
2. Sign in to PSN. If your own account has not yet been activated, the current PS4 will automatically complete this step. In this case, you can skip the fourth point;

Figure 2. Activating the current PlayStation 4

Alien console

To ensure the safety of your friend’s PSN account while still being able to access and use selected account features, it is important to obtain more information about the activation (deactivation) process if you activate an additional PS4 or log in to the Network PS on a different set-top box. Here are the steps you can take to prevent unintentional activation of your friend’s PlayStation 4:

1. When signing in to the device, choose the "Play as a guest" option to create a guest user;

Figure 3. Connecting as a guest

1. Sign in to the PlayStation Network.

Activating the PS4 system as a primary system can be hindered by multiple factors. One of the important steps is ensuring that you are logged in to the PSN with your personal account. To proceed with the activation, it is crucial to establish a connection to the network. In case it is not feasible to connect to the PS Netwok, you should perform a network status check and be on the lookout for a specific error code. These error codes can pertain to issues with the main server, external connection, network, program, or Internet. Decrypting these codes and finding solutions can be achieved by perusing the internet and visiting websites that offer detailed explanations of the necessary troubleshooting steps.

If you’ve previously activated your PS4 or forgot to log out of the PS Network on a temporary console, you may need to deactivate it. There are a couple of ways to do this: you can adjust the console settings or access the account management options via an Internet browser and disconnect all devices. To start, log into your PS Network account on the device and follow the on-screen prompts.

Figure 4 illustrates the deactivation process.