Sony ends PS4 services in 2026; focus on the unified PS5 base

The PlayStation 4, released in November 2013, is nearing 12 years of existence, but its support cycle is beginning to show signs of closure. According to documents obtained by the Insider Gaming website, Sony will discontinue some legacy PSN services for new games starting in Spring 2026 (US time).

The change, which will not affect already released titles, affects projects submitted for the PS4 after that date. This decision signals a gradual divestment of Sony in the console, forcing developers of new projects to abandon crucial social and online storage functionalities. The features that will cease to function for new games are:

• Activity Feed Web API
• Title Small Storage (TSS)
• Title User Storage (TUS)
• Users and Profiles
• Word Filters
• Shared Media Web API
   

Sony justifies this decision as a necessary step for the technological advancement of the PlayStation Network. PlayStation itself justifies the change by stating that the current services will be replaced by:

"a more unified and scalable base across generations."

This transition aims to create a more robust platform, focused on leveraging the technology of the PlayStation 5 and ensuring a more modern online infrastructure for the future of the brand.

It is important to note that the PS4 continues to be a primary platform for many players who have not yet migrated to the new generation. Even with the arrival of the PlayStation 5 in 2020, the console continues to receive major games like Call of Duty and was the launch platform for extremely popular service-based games, including Fortnite. The PS4 received numerous successful exclusives during its active support. Sony is slowly phasing out a console that still has a massive user base.

Sony is gradually ending support for new projects on the PS4, with the discontinuation of legacy PSN services starting in Spring 2026 (US time). This decision, which affects the list of features of Activity Feed Web API, TSS, TUS, Users and Profiles, Word Filters, and Shared Media Web API, is justified by Sony as a migration to a more unified and scalable base across generations, focused on the PS5. The PS4, released in November 2013, leaves its legacy as one of the most successful platforms.