Sony to Sunset Legacy PSN Features on PS4 by 2026 to Focus on PS5 and Next-Gen Platforms
Sony Interactive Entertainment has announced plans to phase out several PlayStation Network (PSN) features on the PlayStation 4 (PS4) in spring 2026, according to documents sent to developers. Insider Gaming reports that the decision is part of a broader strategy to retire legacy systems for newly certified games after the deadline, allowing Sony to redirect resources toward newer platforms and modern online services.
The features set to be discontinued include the Activity Feed (for sharing in-game activities), Shared Media Web API (for managing shared content), Title Storage (for storing user-specific game data), and User Profile access. Any new PS4 games submitted for certification after spring 2026 will no longer be able to integrate these systems. Sony aims to create a more unified cross-generation foundation for future console ecosystems.
Additionally, Sony will shut down the Tournaments and Teams menus within the PS4 Community system starting October 27, 2025, as reported by PlayStation LifeStyle. This change is part of a broader simplification of the PSN infrastructure, gradually phasing out features tied to older technology.
Despite these changes, PS4 players will still be able to access previously purchased games, download existing content, and use essential services such as multiplayer, social features, and the PlayStation Store.
The move comes nearly 12 years after the PS4’s original launch and signals a pivotal transition point for the platform. While blockbuster titles like Call of Duty still support PS4, 2026 could mark the final year major new releases arrive for the system. Sony’s shift underscores its commitment to accelerating adoption of the PS5 and laying the groundwork for the PS6 era.
Players are advised to back up their data and update their games ahead of the feature removals, while developers will need to adapt by integrating the latest APIs on PS5. This transition marks the beginning of the end for one of Sony’s most successful consoles, pushing the industry decisively toward the next generation of gaming.
