The first Sony Direct PS5 restock of 2022 is here. The invite-only restock kicked off at 2 p.m. ET and will run until 7 p.m. ET or while supplies last. This invite-only restock requires a unique email link in order to partake. See below for how to get your account registered in order to score an invitation for future Sony Direct restocks.
There’s a possibility that the order floodgates will be opened to those without an invitation at around 5 p.m. ET. But this isn’t guaranteed and hasn’t happened during the last handful of Sony Direct drops.
However, if a public drop does happen, you’ll be able to get the PS5 for $499 via this link or the PS5 Digital for $399 via this link. In the meantime, if you didn’t receive an invitation a Walmart PS5 restock and a GameStop in-store PS5 restock have both been confirmed for this week.
Sony Direct PS5 restock (invite only)
News of today’s Sony Direct restock original came from a Reddit thread, with several users confirming they have received an invitation for this upcoming drop. If you’ve previously registered for an invite, we strongly suggest you search your email inbox, as you may have been selected. Don’t forget to look in your spam folder just in case.
If you find yourself without an invitation, make sure you bookmark our PS5 restock hub. This week has seen a flood of drops already, with more to come as well. Our comprehensive guide will ensure you never miss a drop and offer you all the tips you need to checkout successfully.
How to get notifications from Sony Direct
Occasionally, Sony Direct has restocks for invited guests only. (The invites are sent out via email.) Sony recently opened up registration to these events to the general public. Now anyone can sign up for invite-only Sony Direct PS5 restocks.
You’ll want to have an active Sony Direct account and make sure you have notifications set to “yes.” Creating a Sony Direct account is easy: you can sign up via this link here. Once you’ve set up an account, you’ll want to add your address and billing info. Having this info on file will make things easier should you manage to get a PS5 console in your cart.
To turn on notifications from Sony Direct, you’ll need to sign into your account, click on “My Profile,” and then click the “edit” button from your profile page. You’ll then be redirected to a new account settings page. From within that page, choose “notifications” from the left column and then make sure you opt-in to receive news and special offers from Sony.
Keep in mind this trick doesn’t guarantee you’ll get an invite in time for the next PS5 drop, but it should increase your chances for future exclusive Sony Direct PS5 restock events.
How to get a PS5 if you didn’t receive an invite
Usually after an invite-only PS5 restock, Sony tends to open its virtual queue to the general public. However, that’s not always guaranteed, as there have been instances where the retailer has completely sold out.
If there are extra consoles, a restock for the general public will likely occur after the invite-only event wraps up. (Usually an hour or two after the start of the original drop.) Of course, you can bookmark our page and we’ll keep you updated on the latest PS5 restock news from Sony Direct and all major U.S. retailers.
What to do once you’re in the queue
Once you’re in the virtual queue, you’ll be given an estimated wait time. All wait times vary, and there’s a good chance you’ll have a message telling you it will be “more than an hour.” If that’s the case, don’t despair. Your status can rapidly change and you may end up with a shorter wait time than estimated. For instance, after waiting 20 minutes on a previous PS5 restock event, our time was cut from “more than an hour” to just 15 minutes.
Additionally, you may be required to solve a captcha. This is a simple challenge/question to ensure you’re not a bot and usually requires that you select a radio box. As a result, you’ll want to make sure your browser tab remains prominent, because if it’s not you might miss your captcha challenge and you could forfeit your place in line.