Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDigital game sharing works differently on each platform: PS5 lets other users play your downloaded games on one designated console, Nintendo supports both Virtual Game Cards and limited family-group loans, and Switch 2 GameShare hosts a temporary play session. Xbox has a Home Xbox feature, but its current limits and setup details are not established here, so check Xbox Support before relying on it. None of these features should be mistaken for a universal digital-game lending system.
First, distinguish sharing a console from lending a game
“Sharing” can mean three different things: letting other users on your console access a purchase, lending a digital game to someone on a separate console, or inviting someone into a temporary gameplay session. The rules for who can use a game, whether it works offline, and how long access lasts depend on which feature you use.
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| Platform feature | Who gets access | What it does | Offline and time limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| PS5 Console Sharing and Offline Play | Other users on one PS5 enabled by the purchaser | Allows access to the purchaser’s downloaded games and media on that console | Works offline; one PS5 can be enabled at a time |
| PS5 Share Play | One invited visitor | Lets the visitor play as the host or play together with the host in a temporary session | Session ends one hour after the visitor joins |
| Nintendo Virtual Game Card | Other users on a console where the card is loaded; a family-group member may borrow a card | Provides access to the game while its virtual card is loaded or lent | Loaded cards work offline; a loan lasts up to 14 days |
| Nintendo Switch 2 GameShare | Guests joining a supported session hosted from Switch 2 | Shares a gameplay session, not a transferable digital purchase | Up to four systems can participate; compatible systems depend on local or online play |
| Xbox Home Xbox | Not stated in the reachable Xbox support article | Current setup and sharing details are not established here | Current limits and offline conditions are not stated in the reachable article |
Share PS5 purchases with other users on one console
Console Sharing and Offline Play is the PS5 option for a household console. Once enabled, other users on that PS5 can play games and media the purchaser has downloaded, including when the console is offline. They may also receive some PlayStation Plus benefits. Subscription games still require an active subscription and must remain available.
Enable Console Sharing and Offline Play
- On the PS5, open Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Console Sharing and Offline Play.
- Choose Enable.
The first PS5 used to sign in is enabled automatically. To enable a different PS5, disable the feature on the previous one first. Only one PS5 can have Console Sharing and Offline Play enabled at a time. This is a console-sharing setting, not a way to transfer the game’s ownership.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Use PS5 Share Play for a temporary session
Share Play is for inviting one visitor into a play session, rather than granting a standing license to a digital game. The visitor can play as the host, or the two players can play together. The host needs PlayStation Plus; both players need PlayStation Plus for the play-together mode. The session ends one hour after the visitor joins, and some games or scenes may be restricted. See PlayStation’s Share Play support for current requirements.
Use Nintendo Virtual Game Cards to share or lend digital games
Nintendo’s Virtual Game Cards represent digital purchases. A card can be loaded on a linked console, where other users can play the game; loaded cards also work offline. Nintendo Accounts can have up to two consoles that load Virtual Game Cards. On other consoles, the account holder can play their digital games while online, but other users on that console cannot play those games.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Lend a Virtual Game Card to a family-group member
Nintendo allows a card to be lent to a member of the owner’s Nintendo Account family group. This is a loan to an eligible borrower on another console, not a general loan to any friend.
- The consoles must be near each other and online when the loan is made.
- A borrower can hold one borrowed card at a time; an owner can lend up to three cards at a time.
- The loan automatically returns after 14 days, unless it is returned or retrieved earlier.
- The owner cannot play a card while it is lent.
- Some games may not support lending.
Nintendo’s support guide notes: “When you lend a game, any DLC you have purchased is also lent.” Check Nintendo’s Virtual Game Card guide for the current process and eligibility details.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Use Switch 2 GameShare for a hosted play session
GameShare is separate from Virtual Game Card lending. A Nintendo Switch 2 with supported software hosts the session; guests join to play, rather than receiving a loan of the digital purchase. Local sessions can include original Nintendo Switch systems as guests. Online sessions require Switch 2 systems. Up to four systems can participate, and a game may support only one connection method. Check Nintendo’s GameShare information for game-specific compatibility.
Can you lend a physical Nintendo Switch game?
Yes, if you own a physical game card, you can lend that copy by giving the recipient the card to insert into their console and launch. That is lending physical media, not sharing a digital purchase. Nintendo’s instructions for using game cards are at Nintendo Support.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
What to know about Xbox Home Xbox
Xbox’s My Home Xbox support page was reachable, but its article text was not available in the source reviewed for this guide. Current activation limits, setup steps, and offline conditions therefore cannot be stated reliably here. Check the official Xbox My Home Xbox support page before setting up sharing or assuming a game will work offline.
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- Redeem for anything on PlayStationStore: games, add-ons, PlayStationPlus and more.
- Everything you want to play. Choose from the largest library of PlayStation content.
- Use gift card funds to contribute towards PlayStationPlus memberships.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
