PlayStation 4 Wiki Guide

How to Fix Digital Game Permissions

Some users have encountered permission/DRM issues with downloaded games. If you're trying to access a game you paid for but aren't, here are some possible reasons and ways to fix it:

Disc to Digital Switch[edit]

You previously played a disc-based version of a game and are trying to switch to a downloaded version, if, for example, you had borrowed the disc previously and now want to own the game digitally. Upon downloading the game from the PSN Store, this currently results in an error as the shortcut to the game is still trying to access the disc version. The store message reads "this game is now unlocked" -- but it won't work. To fix this, you need to first delete the installed (disc) version from the PS4. You do not need to delete your save data file. Once it's deleted, go into the store and redownload the game. Once it's installed, you will be able to access it without problems.