Sony may be preparing to reintroduce the cross-buy feature to the PlayStation ecosystem, according to a recent discovery shared by a user on social media. The finding has sparked speculation that the feature—once a popular part of the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita era—could make a return for PlayStation 5, or possibly even the next generation of PlayStation hardware.
The discovery was first reported by a user known as Amethxst on Twitter/X, who shared screenshots and a short video showcasing newly appearing icons on their PS5 system. Among the newly spotted symbols was one labeled “Cross-Buy,” alongside others referencing “PS5/PC games” and an “echo mode”. “The screen is real (see video below). The symbols are present on PS5 (not PS4). The symbols are official Sony fonts (uf-code: EF5B to EF61),” the user explained in their follow-up post, confirming the authenticity of the images.
While Sony has not issued an official statement, the emergence of these icons has revived discussion about the company’s previous use of the cross-buy feature. During the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation Vita generations, cross-buy allowed consumers to purchase a single copy of a game and access it across compatible platforms. Several notable titles, including PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale and Stardew Valley, once supported this functionality. Although the program was eventually discontinued after those systems lost active support, certain legacy links remained operational; for instance, users who redeemed Stardew Valley on PS4 via PlayStation Plus could still claim the PS Vita version due to the lingering cross-buy linkage.
The reappearance of the cross-buy symbol suggests Sony may be exploring similar interoperability once again, potentially aligning it with future hardware releases such as the rumored PS6 or a new handheld device. Such an initiative would align with Sony’s recent push toward broader ecosystem integration, especially given the increasing number of PlayStation titles being ported to PC.
Despite the growing excitement, the discovery remains unconfirmed and should be treated as speculation for now. Sony has officially acknowledged only the addition of a new power-saving mode introduced through a recent firmware update. Until further details emerge, fans will need to wait for formal clarification from the company regarding whether cross-buy is truly poised for a comeback or if the symbol merely hints at experimental internal features.
