PS4 Parental Controls Guide – How To Set and Remove

How to set and remove PS4 Parental Controls. Find out how you can restrict access to video games, movies and internet.


There’s nothing wrong with your kids playing games on the PlayStation 4, but as a responsible parent, you would want to restrict certain features that may not be suited for their age.

PS4 Parental Controls

The PS4 gives users full command of the system’s accessibility, and allows them to tweak it and create sub-accounts meant for parental control.

Master Account and Password
To get the best out of the PS4’s parental control, you should make sure that the adult has a Master Account. This account will have administrative privileges and the necessary authority to implement the desired control.

Once you have created and logged into your Master Account, you can set up a password. There are two ways to do that:

Master Account Passcode:
This passcode will prevent others from logging into your account and making changes to any of the settings of the parental control or viewing unauthorized content. Go to [Settings] > [Login Settings] > [Passcode Management] for this.

Parental Control Passcode:
This will be a 4-digit pass code that only restricts the parental control options. By default, the code is 0000. It is recommended that you change it to something else. To do this, head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [Change Passcode]. Note that this passcode can only be reset in Safe Mode if it is forgotten.

Sub Accounts:
If you haven’t already set up a sub-account for your Master Account, you should do so. Go to [Parental Controls] > [Sub Account Management] > [Create New Sub Account] to create one.

All your selected restrictions and parental control settings will be imposed on this Sub Account.

Restrict Games Based on Ratings
All PlayStation 4 games have a formal rating given by a specific authorized rating company based on your location. If you want, you can utilize the age-specific rating and restrict access to games for your children according to age.

To change the parental control level for games and applications, you will need to log into the Sub Account. From the PS4’s Homescreen, press Up on the D-pad to get to the Function area.

Head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [Application] and choose the level of control you wish to impose.

If you wish to find out the Parental Control level of a game or application, highlight it in the content area, press the Options button, and then select [Information]. If an application or content has restrictions, the parental control level appears in the [Parental Control] field.

Restricting Blu-Ray Movies and DVDs
You can also restrict the viewing of Blu-Ray Movies according to their rating. Login to the Sub Account to make the changes. Press Up on the D-pad to get to the Function area from the PS4 Homescreen.

Go to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [Blu-Ray Disc].

For DVDs, follow the same procedure, but head to [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [DVD] instead.

Block Internet Sites
The PS4 has its own internet browser. You can block certain objectionable websites if you wish. To do that, you need to be logged into the Sub Account. On the PS4 Homescreen, navigate to the Internet Browser by pressing left or right on the D-pad. Press the X Button.

Press the Options button on the Dual Shock 4 to get to the Browser Options menu. Go to [Settings] > [Web Filter] to impose the restriction.

Completely Disable Internet Browser
If you want to, you can completely disable the PS4 Internet Browser altogether. Login to your Sub Account, and press Up on the D-Pad to go to the Function area. Go to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [Internet Browser]. Select the “Do Not Allow” option to disable the browser.

The icon of the browser will still appear, but the Sub Account will not be able to start it.

Prevent Non-Registered User Login
You can prevent guests to login or register as new users. You need to login to your Master Account for this. Press Up on the D-pad to go to the Function area.

Head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Restrict Use of PS4 Features] > [Select New User and Log In to PS4]. Choose “Do Not Allow” to prevent others from logging in as guests or attempting to register on your PS4.

Disable Chat Messages
If you wish to disable Chat Messages for your Sub Account, login to your Master Account and head to the Function area.

Head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Sub Account Management], choose the Sub Account you need to restrict, and then choose [Parental Controls]. Check under [Chat/Message] and choose [Block] to block all voice, text, and video chat.

Disable User-Generated Videos and Pictures
Certain games and applications allow users to upload user-generated media content to be uploaded, which can be viewed by others. You can impose restrictions on this by logging into your Master Account and heading to the Function area.

Head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Sub Account Management], choose the Sub Account you need to restrict, and choose [Parental Controls]. Choose [Block] under [Content Restriction] to block all such content.

Limit PlayStation Store Spending
You can set a cap on the amount of money that can be spent in the PlayStation Store. You can do so by designating the amount of money that can be spent in one calendar month.

Login to your Master Account, and access the Function area. Head to [Settings] > [Parental Controls] > [Sub Account Management], choose the Sub Account that needs to be restricted, and choose [Parental Controls].

Under [Monthly Spending Limit], choose the amount in dollars that would serve as the maximum spendable money in a calendar month.

Avatar photo

Ali is a passionate RPG gamer. He believes that western RPGs still have a lot to learn from JRPGs. He is editor-in-chief at SegmentNext.com but that doesn't stop him from writing about his favorite video ...