So we have 3 PS4's in the house (My husband, child 1 & child 2) They all have their own PSN Plus accounts. Instead of buying 3 PSN plus 12 month subscriptions can I get a family subscription that will cover them all?
3 PS4’s in the house with 3 separate psn plus accounts
psn
Related Solutions
Yes, local accounts are those that exist - are/have logged in - on the same console, whether created there or elsewhere.
The Playstation Plus subscription is tied to the SEN account, but that account can specify a single PS4 console as its primary PS4, which enables other (non-PS+) accounts to access everything on the console.
So any account using that console (the one specified as the primary by at least 1 PS+ subsriber) can enjoy the benefits of PS+, when using that console. That includes multiplayer.
I assume though that multiplayer is not available to local accounts if you are online and playing multiplayer on someone else's console. That part isn't exactly clear. But your (non-PS+)family members / housemates could definitely play multiplayer on your console with only your PS+ subscription when you're not using it.
This FAQ on playstation.com is fairly detailed:
PlayStation 4
You can activate one PS4™ on your Sony Entertainment Network account (this is known as your Primary PS4) and temporarily activate a second PS4 on your account.
PlayStation Plus benefits available to other non-subscribing users on your Primary PS4:
- Online multiplayer (subject to any parental control settings on sub-accounts)
- Play downloaded games purchased with PlayStation Plus discount
- Play downloaded IGC games
PlayStation Plus benefits not available to other users on your Primary PS4:
- Purchasing PlayStation Plus discounted products from PlayStation Store
- Online game save storage
- Auto patch download
- PlayStation Plus exclusive early access to game trials
PlayStation Plus benefits available to you on a non-subscribing friend’s PS4:
- All of your PlayStation Plus membership benefits are available to you when you use a friend’s PS4.
PlayStation Plus benefits available to your non-subscribing friend when you use their PS4:
- Play downloaded games purchased with PlayStation Plus discount
- Play downloaded IGC games
PlayStation Plus benefits not available to your non-subscribing friend when you use their PS4:
- Online multiplayer (subject to any parental control settings on sub accounts)
- Purchasing PlayStation Plus discounted products from PlayStation Store
- Online game save storage
- Auto patch download
- PlayStation Plus exclusive early access to game trials
When you sign into your Sony Entertainment Network on a friend’s PS4 the system is temporarily activated on your account. Please ensure that you correctly sign-out of “PSN” on your friend’s system to keep your account secure.
If your “PSN” account is inactive on your friend’s PS4, the system will be deactivated automatically from your account and your friend will lose access to any of your downloaded content. This content can be deleted from their system hard drive by going to Image (Settings) > System Storage Management > Applications. Next, highlight the game to delete and press Options > Image (X button).
Source: http://faq.en.playstation.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5030
If the main thing you're concerned about is online multiplayer, then yes, all accounts on a single PS4 can play online if at least one if them has an active PS Plus subscription, and that PS4 console is set as the PS Plus account's "Primary PS4."
From Sony's FAQ:
PlayStation®Plus benefits available to other non-subscribing users on your Primary PS4™:
- Online multiplayer (subject to any parental control settings on sub accounts)
- Play downloaded games purchased with PlayStation®Plus discount
- Play downloaded IGC gamesPlayStation®Plus benefits not available to other users on your Primary PS4™:
- Purchasing PlayStation®Plus discounted products from PlayStation Store
- Online game save storage
- Auto patch download
- PlayStation®Plus exclusive early access to game trials
Best Answer
No, you will have to buy separate subscriptions for each account. There is no "family pass".*
*You could game share, however. I'm not going to persuade or dissuade you from it, as it has its pros and cons. See Nitro.de's comment on your question (his answer to another question) on how that works, as it is a separate issue from what you're asking.