PlayStation Store Free Games: What You Keep

Updated 6 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

When you claim a free game from the PlayStation Store, you keep it permanently on your account as long as you remain a PlayStation Plus subscriber, and for games that are free to all users (not requiring Plus), you keep them forever with no ongoing conditions. The key distinction is whether the game is labeled “PS Plus Monthly Games” or a standalone “Free” promotion. Below we break down exactly what happens to your library, how to manage it, and what to do if a game disappears.

How PlayStation Plus Free Games Work

PlayStation Plus (now with three tiers: Essential, Extra, and Premium) offers a rotating set of monthly games that subscribers can add to their library at no extra cost. Once you “purchase” a monthly game (even at $0), it is tied to your account permanently. However, unlike a normal purchase, you can only play it while your subscription is active. If your subscription lapses, the game becomes locked and unplayable. When you resubscribe, access is restored automatically—you do not need to re-claim it. This applies to all PS4 and PS5 monthly games, including those claimed via the PlayStation App or web store.

Important nuance: Games you claim from the PS Plus Collection (a now-discontinued benefit for PS5 owners) and the monthly games follow the same rule. But games added to your library through the “Monthly Games” page are not the same as games you buy outright—they are licensed for the duration of your membership.

Free Games That Are Truly Yours

Some games on the PlayStation Store are listed as “Free” without any Plus requirement. These are typically free-to-play titles like Fortnite, Apex Legends, Genshin Impact, or Rocket League. When you download or “purchase” these, they remain in your library forever, and you can play them without a subscription. Also, some promotional giveaways (e.g., a game offered free for a limited time to all users) are yours permanently once claimed. The PlayStation Store clearly labels these as “Free” rather than “PS Plus” on the product page. Always check the product page for the price tag: if it says “Free” with no Plus logo, it is a permanent addition.

What Happens When Your Subscription Ends

If you cancel or let your PlayStation Plus subscription expire, here is what happens to the games you claimed:

Monthly games: They remain in your library but are locked with a padlock icon. You cannot launch them until you resubscribe.
Free-to-play games: They remain fully playable because they do not require Plus.
Extra/Premium catalog games: These are not yours at all—they are only available while you are subscribed and while the game remains in the catalog. If a game leaves the catalog, it disappears from your library even if you are still subscribed.
Save data and trophies: Your save files and trophy progress are kept on your console and cloud storage (if you have cloud saves enabled). When you resubscribe, you can continue where you left off.

One common misconception: People think they “lose” the games permanently. That is false. The games are attached to your account history, and re-subscribing revives them instantly. You never need to re-add them.

How to Claim and Manage Your Free Games

Claiming is straightforward, but there are a few steps to avoid mistakes:

On your PS4 or PS5, go to the PlayStation Store and select the “PS Plus” tab.
Find the monthly games section and click each game’s page.
Click “Add to Library” (or “Download” if you want to install immediately). The price should show $0.
If you claim via the web or mobile app, ensure you are logged into the correct account. Games are tied to the account that claims them, not the console.
After claiming, you can find the game in your Game Library under “Purchased” (or “Your Collection” on PS5).

If you have multiple accounts on your console, only the account that claims the game can play it. Other accounts on the same console cannot access your claimed games unless you set that console as your primary console and enable Console Sharing and Offline Play. That allows all users on that PS4/PS5 to play your games, but only while your subscription is active.

Common Problems and Solutions

Players often run into a few recurring issues:

Game shows a lock icon after resubscribing: Restore licenses by going to Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses. This usually fixes the lock.
Can’t find a claimed game: On PS5, go to your Game Library and filter by “PS Plus” to see all claimed monthly games. On PS4, filter by “Purchased” and look for the game.
Game disappeared from library: If it was a PS Plus Extra/Premium catalog title, it may have left the service. Search the store to see if it is still available. Monthly games never disappear from your library, only from the storefront.
Claimed on wrong account: There is no way to transfer a claimed game to another account. You must claim it on the account you intend to keep.
Downloaded game won’t start: Check if your subscription is active. If it is, try renewing licenses or restarting the console.

PS Plus Extra and Premium Catalog Games

With the revamped PS Plus tiers, Extra and Premium subscribers get access to a large catalog of games (like Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Ghost of Tsushima, etc.). These are not “claimed” in the same way as monthly games. You can download them while they are in the catalog, but they are not added to your permanent library. When the game leaves the catalog (usually after a few months), you lose access unless you buy it. The catalog rotates monthly, and Sony announces which games are leaving. If you want to keep a catalog game, you must purchase it separately. This is a key difference from monthly games, which are yours to keep (with an active subscription) forever.

Costs and Alternatives

The free games are part of a paid subscription. PlayStation Plus Essential costs a monthly fee (or a discounted annual fee), and Extra/Premium cost more. If you only want free games without a subscription, look for free-to-play titles or occasional store-wide promotions where a game is temporarily free (e.g., during holiday events). Another alternative is to use a friend’s account with game sharing, but that requires them to keep an active subscription and set your console as their primary. That is not a permanent solution and violates Sony’s terms if done across households. The safest, most reliable way to keep free games is to maintain an active subscription or claim only true free-to-play games.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I keep PS Plus games after my subscription ends?
No, you cannot play them, but they remain in your library. When you resubscribe, they are immediately playable again. You do not lose them permanently.

If I claim a free PS Plus game on PS4, can I play it on PS5?
Yes, as long as the game is compatible with PS5. Most PS4 games are playable on PS5 via backward compatibility. You can download the PS4 version or the PS5 upgrade if offered, but the claim is tied to your account.

Can I share my claimed games with another account?
Yes, if you set your console as the primary console for your account and enable Console Sharing and Offline Play, other users on that console can play your games. However, they need your subscription to be active, and they cannot claim the games to their own account.

Why did a game I claimed disappear from my library?
If it was a PS Plus Extra/Premium catalog game, it may have left the service. Monthly games never disappear. Check your library filters and restore licenses if needed.

Do I need to pay for free-to-play games like Fortnite?
No, free-to-play games do not require PlayStation Plus to play online. They are permanently yours once downloaded, and you can play them without any subscription.

What happens if I claim a monthly game but never download it?
It is still added to your library. You can download it later as long as you have an active subscription. If your subscription lapses, you can still see it in your library but cannot download it until you resubscribe.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.