How to set playtime on PlayStation 

Learn how to manage playtime controls on PlayStation®5 consoles, PlayStation®4 consoles, and mobile devices.

What are playtime controls? 

Family managers can set limits on when, and for how long, each child can play on PS5® consoles and PS4® consoles.

Before you can set playtime:

  • You need an account.

  • Every child needs their own separate child account, created using their details (name and date of birth). 

  • Your account must either be the family manager or appointed “parent/guardian” by the family manager. The child you're managing must be a family member.

  • The time zone must be set for the child account before playtime controls can be adjusted.

Set up your familySet up your family

How does playtime work?

Managing playtime is based on three settings:

  • Restrict Playtime: ‘Restrict’ or ‘Do Not Restrict’.

  • When Playtime Ends: ‘Notify Only’ or ‘Log Out’.

  • Duration and Playable Hours: ‘Playtime Duration’ and ‘Playable Hours’ for every day or specific days of the week. 

As a child nears the end of their playtime, notifications appear at the top of the screen to let them know their playtime is about to end. 

  • On PlayStation Family app and PS5 consoles, family managers, parents or guardians can Change Playtime for Today to give a child more time to play.
  • A child can Ask for More Playtime from a PS5 console through any of the reminder notifications. As family manager, parent or guardian you receive a notification which allows you to Change Playtime in response to the request or Decline.
  • If your child is using both a PS5 console and PS4 console, playtime restrictions apply to both consoles.
Parental controls Parental controls

How to set playtime controls

You can use the PlayStation Family app to set playtime from your mobile device.

Playtime controls on PS Family app
  1. Go to Account Management and sign in as the family manager, parent or guardian of the child you’d like to manage. 
  2. Go to Family Management and select the child.
  3. Select Edit next to the playtime limit and Save to apply your changes.
  1. Sign in as the family manager, parent or guardian of the child you’d like to manage. 
  2. Go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management and select the child.
  3. Set a Time Zone then select Playtime Settings.
  4. Once you have set your restrictions, select Save to apply the changes.
  1. Sign in as the family manager, parent or guardian of the child you’d like to manage. 
  2. Go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management and select the child. 
  3. Set a Time Zone then select Playtime Settings. 
  4. Once you have set your restrictions, select Save to apply the changes.

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

Contact PlayStation Support