How Do I Add Games to My PS4 Library Without Downloading?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

As a passionate PlayStation gamer and PS Plus subscriber myself, I‘m often asked how to take full advantage of the membership benefits. One of my favorite features is being able to add the monthly PlayStation Plus games to my library without having to download them right away.

You can build up a backlog of PS Plus games to play whenever you want – just by ‘purchasing‘ them through the PlayStation Store without ever needing to install or download the full content. This guide will walk you through how it works.

An Overview of PlayStation Plus Game Licenses

With over 25 million PS Plus members as of early 2023, it‘s clear this subscription service offers tremendous value to PlayStation gamers. The headline benefit is accessing online multiplayer gaming modes.

However, one of the most exciting perks each month is definitely the free games made available exclusively for Plus subscribers. Typically 2-4 PS4 and PS5 games enter the monthly lineup, yours to download and play as long as you claim them during that period.

But here‘s the thing – you don‘t actually need to download them right away to gain future access.

When you ‘purchase‘ one of these Plus monthly games, what you‘re actually acquiring is the digital license. This license permanently lives on your PlayStation Network account rather than taking up hard drive capacity.

It grants you the rights to download, install and play that game indefinitely as a Plus member. Just like having the PS4 game disc to install from, but instead the license lets you pull the files from Sony‘s servers whenever needed.

So if you ‘buy‘ a game that‘s FREE with your Plus membership, it will always be tied to your account. You can download it for actual gameplay anytime after if you don‘t do it immediately. Pretty cool!

Step-By-Step: Adding Free PS Plus Games to Your Library

Adding a PlayStation Plus monthly freebie to your library without downloading is a simple process:

1. Visit the PlayStation Store on your PS4 or log in online.

You can access the PlayStation Store directly through the storefront icon on your PS4‘s home screen. Or visit the PSN web store here.

2. Navigate to the PlayStation Plus section.

Go to the PlayStation Plus area under the Services tab. This houses the current month‘s free games lineup.

3. Select a free game and click ‘Add to Library‘.

Browse each title part of the month‘s Plus offerings. When you find one you want, click ‘Add to Library‘ rather than immediately downloading.

4. Locate the game in your library to download anytime!

Head to your Game Library on PS4 or the My PlayStation section online. The Plus game will now be waiting there for you to download & play whenever you want!

Maximize Your PS Plus Library Backlog

Personally, I like to ‘purchase‘ each PlayStation Plus monthly game that looks interesting even if I don‘t plan to play right away. This allows me to build a diverse backlog of titles I can download down the road.

It essentially enables you to amass a bigger gaming library without needing a giant hard drive immediately. I probably have 50+ uninstalled PS Plus titles waiting in my library!

So if you have a large enough hard drive (or don‘t mind deleting older games you‘ve finished), I highly recommend fully utilizing this PlayStation Plus perk.

Add every monthly PS Plus game to your account even if you don‘t download, and you‘ll never run out of gaming options when wanting something new to play!

Here are a few closing tips:

  • Check PlayStation Plus monthly games as soon as they arrive (1st Tuesday of each month) and ‘purchase‘ the ones that interest you. This ensures you don‘t forget and miss out on any to build your backlog!
  • Occasionally browse your full PS Plus backlog library for hidden gems you added awhile back but forgot about. Sort by genre, release date etc to dig up forgotten downloads waiting to be installed.
  • Balance your hard drive space wisely once you amass a large PlayStation Plus library. Delete older played games, save backup data to external drives, upgrade to a bigger HDD if needed.

Let me know if this helps explain how to easily build a PlayStation Plus download backlog! What‘s been your favorite PS Plus monthly game to go back and play later on? I‘m always seeking hidden gem recommendations.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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