How to set up your family on PlayStation

Find out how to add family members and what you can do as the family manager.

Before you set up your family 

To set up your family on PlayStation, you first need an account.

Create an account

The PlayStation Family app lets you manage your family from your mobile device, and offers additional options to monitor your child’s playtime.

PlayStation Family app

Once you have an account, add a family member to become the family manager. You can then add child members or adult members to your family.

How to add child family members on PlayStation Family app

  1. Open the PlayStation Family app and select Sign in or Create an Account.  
  2. Select Set Up Your Family to create an account for a child and add them to your family.
    To add another child, select Settings > Family Management > Add a child.
PlayStation Family app guide
  1. Sign in to Account Management, then select Family Management.
  2. If you’re adding a child for the first time, select Set Up Now > Add a Child.
    To add another child, select Add Family Member > Add a Child.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the account and set parental controls.
Set parental controls
  1. Sign in, then select your profile icon in the upper right on the home screen.
  2. Select Switch User > Add User > Get Started.
  3. Select Create an Account. 
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the account and set parental controls.
Set parental controls
  1. Sign in, then go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
  2. If you're adding a member for the first time, select Set Up Now > Create User.
    To add another child, select Add Family Member > Create User.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to set up the account and set parental controls.
Set parental controls
  • Please note, child members cannot be removed from your family.

Families at a glance

The members that make up a family are:

  • Family manager
  • Parent or guardian
  • Child members
  • Adult members

Can

Can't

  • Add family members
  • See child member playtime activity
  • Set parental controls for child members
  • Set console restrictions
  • Contact other players
  • Add payment methods or wallet funds
  • Purchase content from PlayStation™Store
  • Accept the terms of service for child members
  • Appoint other adult family members as “parent/guardian”
  • Make an exception for a game (PS5 consoles only)
  • Make an exception for in-game communication features
  • Reset a child member password
  • Remove child members
  • Set account restrictions for other adult members
  • Leave the family
  • There can only be one family manager in a family.

Can

Can't

  • Upgrade to an adult account once eligible
  • Play games and content offline, subject to age ratings and parental controls
  • Request exceptions to parental controls
  • Add/remove family members
  • Add payment methods or wallet funds
  • Leave the family
  • Change their online ID
These features depend on parental controls
  • Play games and content online, subject to age ratings and parental controls
  • Purchase content from PlayStation Store, subject to spending limits
  • Contact other players
Add a child family member

Can

Can't

  • Set console restrictions
  • Contact other players
  • Add payment methods or wallet funds to their account
  • Purchase content from PlayStation Store
  • Leave the family
  • Add/remove family members
  • Set parental controls for child members
  • Spend the family manager’s wallet funds
Add an adult family member

Can

Can't

  • Set console restrictions
  • Set parental controls for child members
  • See child member playtime activity 
  • Contact other players
  • Add payment methods or wallet funds to their account.
  • Purchase content from PlayStation Store
  • Leave the family
  • Make an exception for a game (PS5 console only)
  • Make an exception for in-game communication features
  • Add/remove family members
  • Spend the family manager’s wallet funds
  • Reset child member passwords
Add a parent/guardian

How to add adult family members online

  1. Sign in to Account Management with the family manager's account, then select Family Management > Add Family Member.
  2. If you're adding a member for the first time, select Set Up Now > Add an Adult.
    To add another adult, select Add Family Member > Add an Adult.
  3. Enter the adult account's sign-in ID (email address).
    A request to join your family member is sent to the email address entered.
  4. The adult then needs to open the email, select View Family Request Now and follow the on-screen instructions to Join Family.
  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management > Add Family Member.
  2. Scan the QR code on your mobile device and follow the on-screen instructions.
  3. Enter the adult account's sign-in ID (email address).
    A request to join your family member is sent to the email address entered.
  4. The adult then needs to open the email, select View Family Request Now and follow the on-screen instructions to Join Family.
  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
  2. If you're adding a member for the first time, select Set Up Now > Enter Sign-in ID.
    To add another adult, select Add Family Member > Enter Sign-in ID.
  3. Enter the adult account's sign-in ID (email address).
    A request to join your family member is sent to the email address entered.
  4. The adult then needs to open the email, select View Family Request Now and follow the on-screen instructions to Join Family.

How to remove adult family members online

  1. Sign in to Account Management with the family manager's account, then select Family Management.
  2. Select the adult family member.
  3. Select Remove from Your Family.
    Removing a family member who is a parent or guardian also removes their ability to set parental controls.
  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management.
  2. Select the adult family member.
  3. Select Remove from Your Family.
    Removing a family member who is a parent or guardian also removes their ability to set parental controls.
  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
  2. Select the adult family member.
  3. Select Remove from Your Family.
    Removing a family member who is a parent or guardian also removes their ability to set parental controls.

How to appoint a parent or guardian

  1. Sign in to Account Management with the family manager's account, then select Family Management.
  2. Select an adult family member and enable Parent/Guardian.

  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Family and Parental Controls > Family Management.

  2. Select an adult family member and enable Parent/Guardian.
  1. Sign in as the family manager and go to Settings > Parental Controls/Family Management > Family Management.
  2. Select an adult family member and enable Parent/Guardian.

How to upgrade a child account to an adult account

When a child is eligible to upgrade to an adult account, they see a notification when signing in. They can then choose to follow the on-screen instructions to upgrade to an adult member or select Do This Later.

  • Upgrading the account isn’t required.
  • You can’t revert to a child account once upgraded.

To upgrade after selecting Do This Later, follow the steps below:

  1. Sign in to Account Management and select Upgrade Your Account.
  2. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.
  3. Sign out and then sign back in.
  1. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts.
  2. Select Account > Upgrade Your Account.
    If you're signed in to an account that can't be upgraded yet, Upgrade Your Account won't appear.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

  4. Sign out and then sign back in.

  1. Go to Settings > Account Management.
  2. Select Account Information, then Upgrade Your Account.

  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the upgrade.

  4. Sign out and then sign back in.

Need help? 

Contact our support specialists

Contact PlayStation Support