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PS5 Share Screen lets party members watch your game and, if you enable Viewer Interactions, point, ping, draw, or react—but those actions do not control gameplay. Broadcast streams gameplay to an audience and lets you manage stream and audio settings. If you want another person to play your game or play alongside you, use Share Play instead.
Which PS5 feature should you use?
The right choice depends on whether you want a small group to watch together, an audience to follow a stream, or another person to use a controller in your game. These features are not interchangeable: Share Screen and Broadcast are viewing options; Share Play is the one that supports visitor gameplay input.
| Feature | What viewers receive | What they can do | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share Screen | Your game screen and game audio, shown to party members. | If you enable Viewer Interactions, viewers can move a pointer, ping, draw, or send reactions. They cannot control the game through these actions. | Watching a friend play and reacting together in a party. |
| Broadcast | A gameplay stream for viewers. You choose whether to include your microphone or party audio and can configure comments and other stream options. | Viewers can watch and comment. Sony does not document gameplay control for viewers through Broadcast. | Streaming gameplay to an audience and managing how the stream appears. |
| Share Play | Your game screen is presented to a visitor. | Depending on the mode, the visitor can take over your game or play together with you. | Letting someone try your game, getting hands-on help, or playing together. |
Sony’s Share Screen instructions and Broadcast instructions describe different viewing features. For visitor control or co-play, see Sony’s Share Play instructions.
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Can viewers control your game through Share Screen?
No. Share Screen’s Viewer Interactions are annotations and reactions over the shared view, not controller input. A viewer cannot use them to move your character, select an in-game option, or operate the game on your behalf. The host has to enable Viewer Interactions; they can turn the feature on or off before or during a session and choose where reactions appear.
What a viewer can do
- Move a pointer: use the left stick to move it around the shared screen.
- Ping an area: press the cross button to mark a spot.
- Draw: hold the cross button while moving to draw on the screen.
- React: use R2 plus an action button to send a reaction.
These tools can help a viewer indicate a location or respond to a moment while the host keeps playing. Sony’s feature instructions describe them as screen interactions, not a way to provide gameplay input. If the other person needs to operate the game, choose Share Play instead.
That distinction matters because a visible pointer can look more interactive than ordinary watching. It still does not move the host’s character or make a game selection. Think of Viewer Interactions as on-screen annotation: the viewer can draw attention to a place or react to what is happening, while the host remains the person playing. Turning interactions on is optional, and turning them off restores a view without those annotations.
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So if a friend says, “Show me where to go,” Share Screen interactions can let them point or draw on the image. If they mean, “Let me take the controller and try,” the relevant option is Share Play’s Visitor plays as you mode, not the Share Screen pointer.
What can viewers see in Share Screen and Broadcast?
Both features share gameplay, not the entire PS5 interface. Viewers do not see other system screens or non-game app screens, and some scenes may be withheld depending on the game. Do not use either feature expecting to share a menu, another app, or every scene in a game. The restrictions are described in Sony’s Share Screen support page and Broadcast support page.
This is a content boundary to plan around, not a promise that every game scene will appear. A scene can be unavailable because of the game’s own restrictions. If a viewer cannot see something you expected to share, switching from Share Screen to Broadcast does not turn either feature into a full-console screen share: both are designed around gameplay, and some scenes may still be withheld. Likewise, neither one is the right way to show a non-game app screen.
Share Screen: party viewing
Share Screen presents the game screen and game audio to people in a party voice chat. It suits a friend group that wants to watch in real time and talk or use the optional interactions. It is not a public-style broadcast with stream controls and audience comment overlays.
Use it when the audience is the party and the goal is shared viewing rather than running a managed stream. A viewer can receive a notification and open the Share Screen card. The viewer may also request to watch another player’s screen. Those viewing actions do not change the key distinction: the host shares gameplay, and any enabled Viewer Interactions remain annotations rather than gameplay commands.
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Broadcast: a stream with audience options
Broadcast sends gameplay to viewers and provides controls for stream resolution and frame rate, microphone and party-audio inclusion, camera adjustments, comment overlays, and chat-to-speech in supported languages. Available resolutions vary by streaming service. A broadcast can also be paused; while paused, the camera feed is held and all audio is muted until the stream resumes.
Broadcast is the better fit when stream presentation matters. Before starting, decide whether the microphone or party audio should be heard, whether to use a camera, and whether viewer comments should appear as an overlay. Chat-to-speech is not described as available in every language, so check the supported-language options rather than assuming it will work for every audience.
The available video resolutions are service-dependent, so there is no single resolution choice guaranteed across every linked streaming service. If a particular resolution is important to you, check what the selected service offers in the console’s Broadcast options. The same principle applies to other options: use the settings that are actually available for that service instead of assuming all services expose identical controls.
If you include party voice audio in a Broadcast, tell the other party members in advance. The host controls whether that audio and microphone audio are included, so check those settings before starting rather than assuming conversation is private.
Pause is also worth understanding before going live. Sony’s described pause behavior holds the camera feed and mutes all audio until the broadcast resumes. Treat it as a temporary interruption to the broadcast rather than as an alternate way to share menus or switch to another app for viewers.
How to start Share Screen and enable viewer interactions
You can start Share Screen from a party voice chat card, the Create menu, or a friend’s profile. Viewers receive a notification and can open the Share Screen card; a viewer can also request to watch another player’s screen. Sony’s instructions are for PS5 consoles, and Sony says a PS4 player can be included using Share Play instead.
- Start a party voice chat with the people who should watch, or use the friend or Create-menu route to start Share Screen.
- Turn on Viewer Interactions in the Share Screen options if you want viewers to point, ping, draw, or react. The host may enable or disable interactions before or during the session.
- Tell viewers how to interact. The left stick moves the pointer; cross pings; holding cross while moving draws; and R2 plus an action button sends a reaction.
- Turn interactions off when you want an unobstructed view. Watching does not require viewers to interact, and the host controls whether the feature is available.
The exact Share Screen controls and interaction instructions are in Sony’s PS5 Share Screen guide.
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It helps to set expectations before you start. Tell people whether you want them simply to watch or whether you are inviting pointers and reactions. If you enable interactions, viewers should know the controls; if you want the cleanest shared image, leave them off or disable them during the session. The host controls this choice, so viewers do not have to use the tools just because they are available.
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There are several entry points, so you do not have to treat the Create menu as the only route. Sony lists the party voice chat card, the Create menu, and a friend’s profile. A viewer’s notification and Share Screen card are the corresponding path to opening a shared view. If someone is asking to watch rather than initiating a share, Sony also describes a request-to-watch option.
One compatibility detail can change the plan: Sony says a PS4 player can be included using Share Play instead. That is different from assuming every console generation joins the PS5 Share Screen flow in the same way. If the group includes a PS4 player, consider that Share Play route and its separate requirements.
How to use Broadcast without implying viewers can play
Broadcast is for sending gameplay to a stream audience, not handing control to that audience. To use it, link a streaming account; Sony notes that some services require two-factor authentication. Once connected, configure the available options for the selected service, including video quality and whether to include microphone or party audio. You can also adjust the camera, comment overlay, and chat-to-speech where supported.
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- Check service-dependent options: resolution availability varies by service, and chat-to-speech is available only in supported languages.
- Use pause deliberately: pausing holds the camera feed and mutes all audio until you resume.
- Set expectations with viewers: they can watch and comment, but Sony does not document Broadcast as a method for viewers to control gameplay.
The cited Broadcast instructions are Sony’s Canada support page; service availability and resolution choices may vary. Consult Sony’s Broadcast guide for its setup details.
The account link is a setup prerequisite, not a viewer-control feature. If you have not linked a streaming account, do that before expecting to start a Broadcast; some services add a two-factor-authentication requirement. After linking, check the settings associated with the service you selected. Available resolution and frame-rate options can differ, and not every language is supported for chat-to-speech.
Do a quick privacy and audio check before going live. Confirm which microphone and party audio choices are enabled and tell party members if their voice audio will be included. Also check whether comments will appear on the stream and whether the camera is positioned as you want. This preparation helps avoid a common misunderstanding: Broadcast viewers may comment, but those comments do not mean they can control the game.
Remote Play is not a substitute for Broadcast within a Share Play session. Sony states that Broadcast and Remote Play are unavailable during Share Play on PS5. If you need to stream to an audience, plan to use Broadcast outside that Share Play session; if the priority is letting one visitor play, use Share Play and accept that those features cannot run at the same time.
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When Share Play is the right choice
Use Share Play when the visitor needs hands-on input. In Visitor plays as you, control of the host’s game is handed to the visitor. In Play with the visitor, both people can take part in supported gameplay. This is different from drawing or pinging over a Share Screen view: Share Play changes who can provide gameplay input.
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Choose the mode based on what the visitor is meant to do. Visitor plays as you suits letting someone else try the host’s game or take the controls temporarily. Play with the visitor is the co-play option when both people are to take part in supported gameplay. In either case, this is real gameplay participation, unlike a pointer, ping, drawing, or reaction layered over a Share Screen view.
Membership and session limits
- The host needs PlayStation Plus for Visitor plays as you.
- Both host and visitor need PlayStation Plus for Play with the visitor.
- Only one visitor can join a Share Play session at a time.
- The session ends automatically one hour after the visitor joins.
- Share Play may be unavailable, or some scenes may not be shown, depending on the game and account.
Sony recommends a high-speed connection of at least 2 Mbps for both host and visitor for best Share Play performance. This is Sony’s recommendation, not a guarantee of a particular image quality or responsiveness; the actual experience can depend on the connection and game.
Those requirements make Share Play a poor assumption for a large group: it allows one visitor at a time. The one-hour automatic end also matters if you are planning a longer session. A visitor may need to join again after a session ends, so do not treat Share Play as an unlimited handoff. Confirm the mode and PlayStation Plus eligibility before starting, especially for Play with the visitor, which requires membership for both people.
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Restrictions to plan around
Broadcast and Remote Play are unavailable during Share Play on PS5. If your goal is to stream gameplay to an audience, use Broadcast; if your goal is visitor control or co-play, use Share Play. Sony’s Share Play support page covers starting the session and its eligibility conditions.
Game and account restrictions are another reason to check eligibility rather than assume every title or account combination will work. Sony notes that Share Play may be unavailable in some cases and that some scenes may not be shown, depending on the game and account. If your goal is to let someone try a particular game, verify that the session is available for that game before you build the plan around it.
If the visitor will provide input, they will need an appropriate controller for the PS5 session. A PS5-compatible wireless controller is relevant to the person taking part through Share Play; it is not required just to watch Share Screen or react to the shared image. The audience for Share Screen or Broadcast can watch without taking control.
Choose by the question you need to answer
- “Can my friends watch me play?” Use Share Screen for party viewing, or Broadcast for a stream intended for viewers and comments.
- “Can someone control my PS5 game through screen sharing?” Not through Share Screen or Broadcast as Sony documents them. Use Share Play’s visitor-control mode when the game and accounts allow it.
- “Can viewers draw or react on the shared image?” Yes, during Share Screen when the host enables Viewer Interactions.
- “Can someone play with me?” Share Play’s co-play mode is designed for that, subject to PlayStation Plus, game, and account requirements.
- “Can I show a menu or another app?” Share Screen and Broadcast do not show other system screens or non-game app screens; some game scenes may also be hidden.
In short, choose based on the kind of participation you want: annotations and reactions mean Share Screen, audience streaming means Broadcast, and actual gameplay input means Share Play.
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Quick choice checklist
- Small party, live viewing: choose Share Screen. It shares game screen and audio with party members, with optional Viewer Interactions.
- Audience stream and comments: choose Broadcast. Link a streaming account, check service-specific options, and decide whether microphone and party audio are included.
- Another player needs input: choose Share Play. Pick Visitor plays as you for a handoff or Play with the visitor for supported co-play, then check membership and eligibility.
- Need to share an app or system screen: neither Share Screen nor Broadcast is documented for that; both are limited to gameplay and some game scenes may be hidden.
These choices answer different questions, even though all three can involve someone else seeing the host’s game. For a viewer who only wants to watch, Share Screen or Broadcast is enough. For a viewer who wants to react, Share Screen adds optional visual tools. For a person who needs to press buttons in the game, only Share Play is the feature Sony documents for that purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can viewers control my PS5 when I share my screen?
No. Share Screen Viewer Interactions let viewers move a pointer, ping, draw, or send reactions, but those actions do not control the game. Use Share Play’s Visitor plays as you mode when the other person needs gameplay control and the game and accounts are eligible.
Can someone play my game through PS5 screen sharing?
Not through Share Screen itself. Share Play is the option for a visitor to play as you or play together with you. Visitor plays as you requires PlayStation Plus for the host; Play with the visitor requires it for both host and visitor. Game and account restrictions apply.
What is the difference between PS5 Share Screen and streaming?
Share Screen is party viewing of your game screen and game audio, with optional pointer, ping, drawing, and reaction tools. Broadcast streams gameplay to an audience and offers settings such as video quality, microphone and party audio, camera, comments, and chat-to-speech in supported languages.
Can I share PS5 menus or another app with Share Screen or Broadcast?
No. Sony says other system screens and non-game app screens are not visible through either feature. Some scenes may also be withheld depending on the game.
Can viewers comment on a PS5 Broadcast?
Viewers can comment, and the broadcaster can use comment overlays. Broadcast does not give viewers gameplay control. Available options can vary by streaming service.
How many people can join Share Play, and how long does it last?
Only one visitor can join at a time. A Share Play session ends automatically one hour after the visitor joins.
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Yes. The host needs PlayStation Plus for Visitor plays as you. Both the host and visitor need PlayStation Plus for Play with the visitor.
What internet speed does Sony recommend for Share Play?
Sony recommends a high-speed connection of at least 2 Mbps for both the host and visitor for best performance. It is a recommendation, not a guarantee of a particular quality or responsiveness.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Share Screen is for party viewing and optional on-screen reactions; Broadcast is for streaming gameplay with audience and audio settings; Share Play is for visitor control or co-play. Viewers cannot control gameplay through Share Screen or Broadcast. Before using Share Play, check PlayStation Plus requirements, game and account eligibility, its one-visitor limit, and the one-hour session limit.
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