[UPDATED] PlayStation May Require 30-Day Online Check for New Digital Games

[UPDATE: 29 April 2026, 10:48 AM UTC] Sony’s new DRM change appears to be a crackdown on refund exploits. The system reportedly uses a temporary license during the initial 14-day refund window. Players may need to go online once in that period to validate the game. After that, the license is said to switch to a permanent one with no further checks. However, Sony has yet to confirm this, so the details remain based on user findings. You can read our detailed follow-up story here.

[ORIGINAL STORY] Reports suggest that Sony may have introduced a 30-day online license check for newer digital purchases on PlayStation consoles. The claims, highlighted by VideoCardz, point to a potential change affecting both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 users.

According to user testing, games purchased after a March 2026 system update may stop launching if the console remains offline for more than 30 days. Reconnecting to the internet reportedly restores access, suggesting a periodic license validation system.

Mixed Reports Suggest Limited or Gradual Rollout

The reports remain inconsistent. Some users claim they experience the restriction, while others report no issues at all. This variation suggests the feature may still be rolling out or undergoing testing.

Additional details from Dot Esports cite a support chat where the behavior was described as intentional. The support response allegedly stated that the check applies only to newer digital purchases, and setting a console as primary does not bypass the requirement.

Independent Testing Points to Online Validation Requirement

Content creator Spawn Wave conducted independent testing to verify the claims. The test involved taking a console offline and removing the CMOS battery to reset the system date. Under those conditions, newer digital titles failed to launch without reconnecting online, while older purchases and physical discs continued to work normally.

While the test supports the reported behavior, it does not confirm whether this is an official policy or a temporary system change. Sony has not publicly acknowledged the feature or provided clarification.

Concerns Grow Over Digital Ownership and Offline Access

The situation has raised concerns among players. Many point to reduced usability for offline gaming, especially for travelers or users with limited internet access. Others highlight long-term preservation issues tied to digital-only libraries.

The reports also reinforce an existing limitation of digital ecosystems. As outlined in Sony’s terms, digital purchases function as licenses rather than full ownership, which allows for access conditions like periodic validation.

For now, the feature remains unconfirmed. User reports and testing indicate that it may already affect newer purchases, but official details from Sony are still pending.

In other news, Sony has increased hardware prices in Southeast Asia and expanded PSSR 2.0 support to more games.