How to Gift PlayStation Plus & Xbox Game Pass in 2025

How to Gift PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass in 2025

Yes, you can absolutely gift PlayStation Plus and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions to your friends and family in 2025, and it’s one of the best gifts for a gamer. The process isn’t always as direct as clicking a “gift” button on someone’s profile, but it’s very straightforward. Typically, you’ll be buying a digital or physical gift card with a code that the recipient can redeem on their own account. This guide will give you clear, step-by-step instructions for gifting both PlayStation Plus (PS Plus) and Xbox Game Pass, ensuring your gift is a success.

How to Gift a PlayStation Plus Subscription

Gifting PlayStation Plus is all about providing your friend or family member with a way to purchase it themselves. The most common and officially supported method is to buy a gift card, either for a specific subscription duration or for a general wallet top-up, which they can then redeem on their own PlayStation Network account.

Method 1: Gifting a Digital PlayStation Store Gift Card

This is the fastest and most popular method for gifting PS Plus because it’s instant. You buy a code online and can send it to the recipient in minutes.

1. Choose a reputable online retailer. You can purchase digital gift cards directly from the official PlayStation Store, or from trusted retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.
2. Select the gift card amount. You’ll need to choose an amount that covers the cost of the subscription tier the person wants. As of 2025, the main tiers are PS Plus Essential, Extra, and Premium. It’s a good idea to check the current pricing on the PlayStation website to make sure you’re gifting enough credit.
3. Complete your purchase. After paying, you will receive a 12-digit digital code in your email inbox, usually within a few minutes.
4. Send the code to the recipient. You can simply forward the email, or copy the code into a birthday message or chat. It’s that easy!

Method 2: Buying a Physical PlayStation Plus Gift Card

To answer the common question, “Is there a PlayStation Plus gift card?”—yes, absolutely. Physical gift cards are a fantastic option if you want something tangible to put inside a card or wrap as a present.

You can find these at most major retail stores like Target, GameStop, or Walmart. These cards come in two main types:

• Subscription-Specific Cards: These are cards for a set duration, such as “3 Months of PlayStation Plus Extra” or “12 Months of PlayStation Plus Essential.”
• PlayStation Store Credit: These are general gift cards with a specific monetary value (e.g., $25, $50). The recipient can use this credit for anything on the store, including a PS Plus subscription.

Can You Gift a Subscription Directly from the PlayStation Store?

How to Gift an Xbox Game Pass Subscription

Gifting a subscription for an Xbox user is a bit more flexible, as Microsoft provides a few different routes you can take. While gift cards are still a great option, you also have the ability to gift a specific subscription directly to someone’s account.

Method 1: Gifting a Subscription Directly from the Microsoft Store

This is a convenient, all-digital option that sends a subscription code right to your friend’s inbox. It’s the closest you can get to a direct gift on either platform.

1. Navigate to the official Xbox Game Pass subscription page on the Microsoft Store website.
2. Choose the specific subscription you want to give, such as Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass, or Game Pass for Console.
3. Instead of “Join” or “Buy,” look for the “Buy as gift” option. It’s often represented by a small gift box icon.
4. You will be prompted to enter the recipient’s email address. Make sure you use the one associated with their Xbox Gamertag.
5. Complete the payment, and Microsoft will email a 25-digit redeemable code directly to your friend.

Method 2: Buying a Digital or Physical Xbox Game Pass Gift Card

Just like with PlayStation, buying an Xbox gift card is a reliable and popular method. You can find digital codes online from retailers like Amazon or the Microsoft Store, and physical cards at stores like Best Buy and Target.

This approach gives the recipient more flexibility. If you gift them a general Xbox Store credit card, they can choose to use it for Game Pass, a new game, or DLC. It puts the choice entirely in their hands.

Which Xbox Game Pass Tier Should You Gift?

Choosing the right tier can be confusing. Here’s a simple breakdown of the main options available in 2025 to help you decide:

How the Recipient Can Redeem Their Gift

Once you’ve sent the code, the recipient will need to redeem it on their account. Here are the simple steps for them to follow on both platforms.

Redeeming on a PlayStation 5 Console

1. Turn on the PS5 and navigate to the PlayStation Store (the shopping bag icon).
2. From the top menu or by selecting your profile picture, find the “…” (More) menu.
3. Select “Redeem Codes” from the list.
4. Carefully enter the 12-digit code from the gift card or email and select “Redeem.” The credit or subscription will be added to the account.

Redeeming on an Xbox Console or PC

The process on Xbox is just as easy and can be done from a console, the PC app, or a web browser.

On an Xbox Console: Press the Xbox button, go to the Store, and select the “Redeem” option from the side menu. Enter the 25-digit code.
• On a PC: Open the Xbox app, click on your profile picture, select “Settings,” and then “Redeem.” Alternatively, you can visit redeem.microsoft.com in any web browser, sign in with the correct Microsoft account, and enter the 25-digit code there.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How do you give someone your PlayStation Plus?

Short Answer: You cannot directly transfer or give your own active PlayStation Plus subscription to another person’s account. Gifting a subscription means purchasing a new, separate subscription code for them. However, you can use the “Console Sharing and Offline Play” feature on a PS5. This allows any other user on your primary console to access your games and use your PS Plus online multiplayer benefits, but this is not the same as giving them their own subscription.

What happens if the recipient already has an active subscription?

Short Answer: In most cases, the gifted time will stack on top of their current subscription. For instance, if they have 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate remaining and you gift them a 12-month code, their subscription will be extended to a total of 15 months. It’s always a good idea to double-check the platform’s official FAQ in 2025 for any policy changes, as there can sometimes be limits on how far in advance you can stack a subscription (e.g., up to 36 months).

Can PlayStation or Xbox gift cards be used for other things?

Short Answer: Yes. If you gift a general store credit card (like a “$50 PlayStation Store” or “$60 Xbox” card), the recipient can use that money for anything in the digital store. This includes new games, DLC, in-game currency, movies, or the subscription service of their choice. However, if you buy a subscription-specific card (like “12 Months of Game Pass Core”), it can typically only be redeemed for that particular service.

Do gifted subscription codes expire?

Short Answer: Generally, digital or physical codes you purchase from an official retailer do not expire. They are valid until redeemed. That said, it’s always the best practice for the recipient to redeem them as soon as they can to avoid losing the code. The main exception is for promotional codes, such as those won in a contest or included with a hardware bundle—these often have strict expiration dates.