Key Details
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Multiple reports indicate that PS5 digital games purchased after mid-April 2026 now include a 30-day online check-in requirement. Players who do not connect to the internet within that period may lose access to the game.
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Support responses from Sony have been inconsistent. Some automated responses from PlayStation Support acknowledged the 30-day timer as a new system, while live agents have denied it is an official policy.
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Independent testing by YouTuber Spawn Wave and game preservation site Does It Play has confirmed that some newly purchased digital games display a timer and produce an error message after 30 days offline: "Can’t use this content. Can’t connect to the server to verify your license."
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It is unclear whether this DRM is a deliberate policy change, a mistake, or a limited test. Sony has not issued an official statement.
Background
The 30-day timer has been compared to Microsoft's proposed always-online DRM for Xbox One in 2013, which was withdrawn after public backlash. The current reports echo those concerns regarding digital game ownership and offline access.