PlayStation imposes a 30-Day DRM - Digital 'Games' must be connected to the internet if you want to play them

Many PlayStation users are disappointed after discovering that new digital games purchased on the PlayStation Store now have a 30-day license restriction. That said, what should you know about it?

You will need to validate your online games once every month

For your information, starting with the March 2026 system update, all newly purchased PS4 and PS5 digital games will need to be validated online at least once every 30 days. Otherwise, the game cannot be played until the console is reconnected to the internet. The “Activate as Primary Console” setting no longer exempts users from this requirement.

I have chatted with a human assistant using PlayStation Support and indeed they have confirmed that the following news is true.

The 30-Day Timer being applied to all new purchases is true https://t.co/xqn0v4989h pic.twitter.com/tt5uNz5usl

— NikTek (@NikTek) April 27, 2026

Additionally, Several users and YouTubers, including @xMBGx and @NikTek, have confirmed this issue through shared screenshots. In fact, when contacting PlayStation customer service support, some users were told that this was a " technical feature" for periodic license checks, not a bug.

Moreover, this issue only affects digital games purchased after the March 2026 update. Older games purchased before that date are still unaffected. You don't lose the digital game if you're not connected to the internet; you just can't play it.

No news from Sony so far

However, the community reaction was quite heated. Many users labelled this move as overly restrictive DRM and reminiscent of the Xbox One era that was once heavily criticised. Some are determined to switch to buying physical copies only, while others are worried if they live in an area with less stable internet or go on a long vacation.

So far, Sony has not released any official statement on this matter. No explanation has been given as to whether this is a permanent policy or just a test. Therefore, users are advised to regularly connect the console to the internet at least once a month to avoid interruptions. If you frequently play offline, you may need to consider purchasing the physical disc version.

Stay tuned to TechNave.com for more updates like this.