Here are all the ways to Transfer PS4 Game Data to the PS5. Do you have both PS4 and PS5? PlayStation 5’s backward compatibility means you can enjoy almost all PS4 libraries on the new system, enjoying better visuals and load times.

Sony offers several ways to transfer your PS4 games and save data to PS5. We will explain them here so that you can transfer your data easily. Note that PlayStation 5 offers to transfer your data during initial configuration. These instructions explain how to do it later, in case you didn’t upload everything or accidentally skipped this step.

Read: How to Fix PS4 PlayStation 4 Error Code WS-37397-9

Before Transferring Your PS4 Data

Before moving data from your PS4 to PS5, there are a few quick actions that you need to perform on your PS4.

• First, make sure you’re signed in to the same PlayStation Network account that you use on your PS5. You can transfer data for multiple accounts if needed, but you have to do it one at a time.
• Next, make sure you have updated your PS4’s system software. To check for the latest version, go to Settings > System Software Update.
• Lastly, you need to sync your Trophy data with PlayStation Network so you don’t lose anything. To do this, navigate to Trophies from the PS4 main screen, press Option on your controller, and tap Sync with PlayStation Network.

 1. Transfer Data Over Your Network

The primary way to transfer PS4 data to your PS5 is by connecting it to your network and using the PS5 Transfer utility. We recommend doing this first, as it covers the most ground, including allowing you to transfer backup data.

To get started, you’ll need to turn on your PS4 and PS5 and make sure they’re connected to your home network.

For best results, you should connect both devices to your router with their Ethernet cable. If this isn’t possible, you can connect both machines to Wi-Fi and then connect your PS4 to your PS5 using an Ethernet cable. This will provide speeds as fast as if they were both connected to your network.

You can continue with both consoles connected wirelessly, but note that this increases transfer times.

Once both systems are ready, follow these steps:

•  On your PS5, go to Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer > Continue.
•  If necessary, select the PS4 to which you want to transfer the data (in most cases there will be only one and you won’t see this step).
• You will see a message ready to transfer data to your PS5. Once it appears, press and hold the power button on your PS4 until you hear a beep.
• Once your systems have recognized each other, select the data you want to move from your PS4 to your PS5. You can choose to save data first, then game data.
• Check the transfer time displayed, and then tap Start Transfer.
• Wait for the transfer to complete. Once your system restarts, you are ready to use the transferred data on your PS5. Even after this, some games may download in the background.

 2. How to Play PS4 Discs on PS5

If you have a PS5 Standard Edition with a disc player, you can just insert a PS4 disc to play this game on your PS5. You will need to reinstall it on your storage drive and install any updates available to it. Whenever you play disc games, you need to insert a PS4 disc into your system.

As long as the game isn’t one of the few on Sony’s PS4 title list, it should work just fine. Unfortunately, if you own a PS5 Digital Edition, you can’t use PS4 discs on the new console.

3. Play PS4 Games Stored on External Drive on PS5

PlayStation 5 supports external hard drives for playing PS4 games. So, if you have an external hard drive attached to your PS4, you can easily disconnect it from your PS4 and connect it to the PS5 to get instant access to these titles.

Be sure to turn off your PS4 or tell the system to stop using the storage device before unplugging it. To do this, press and hold the PS button on your controller to open the quick menu, then choose Sound/Device > Stop using extended storage.

Since your games are already stored on a USB drive, you won’t need to reinstall anything to play them.

 4. Download Digital PS4 Games to Your PS5

On your PS5, you can download any of your digital PS4 games from the PlayStation Store, including titles from your library on PlayStation Plus.

To do so, just make sure you’re signed in to the same account on your PS5. Go to the game library (located on the far right side of the main menu) and you’ll see all the titles you own digitally. Select one and click Download; Once it is installed on your system you can play it.

Use the Filter button on the left to only show your PS4 titles here, if that helps.

 5. How to Transfer PS4 Backup Data to PS5

Methods #2-4 mostly allow you to transfer PS4 game data to your PS5, but they do not transfer your actual saved files. If you didn’t use Method #1 to transfer your backup, you’ll need to use another method to copy the backed up data.

The first is for PlayStation Plus cloud storage, open to all PlayStation Plus subscribers. If you haven’t enabled Auto-Download on your PS4 to back up your saved data, go to Settings > App data management > Saved data in system storage > Upload to an online storage to upload relevant saves to the cloud Go.

Next, on your PS5, go to Settings > Saved data and game/app settings. Select Saved Data (PS4) > Cloud Storage > Download to Console Storage. Then choose who you want to download the data for.

 If you don’t have a PS Plus, you can copy the backup data using a USB stick. On your PS4, go to Settings > App data management > Data saved to system storage > Copy to the USB storage device. Select the data you want to move to the flash drive and confirm the copy operation.

Next, connect the USB drive to your PS5 and go to Settings > Saved data and game/app settings > Saved data (PS4) > USB flash drive. Select your saved data and move it to your PS5.

 6. How to Upgrade PS4 Games to the PS5 Version

Some games released on both PS4 and PS5 offer the option to upgrade for free or for a small fee.

To switch from a PS4 game on a disc to the correct PS5 version, insert the disc and make sure it’s installed. You can then visit the PS Store page for that title by opening the corresponding three-dot menu on the Home screen and selecting View Product.

For a PS4 game that you own digitally, open the PlayStation Store on your PS5 and search for the PS5 version of the game to open its page.

If the game has an upgrade option, you should check it out here. This will either show up as a free download button or in a separate box on the right side labeled Free PS5 Upgrade which will bring up a new page.

 Confirm the price, if applicable, select Download it or Buy to download the full version of the PS5. For physical games, keep the PS4 disc in your system when you want to play it.

If you’re not sure whether you’re viewing a PS4 or PS5 copy of a game, you’ll see PS4 on your Home screen and next to all PS4 titles in the PS Store.

Conclusion

Now you know how to Transfer PS4 Game Data to the PS5. It’s not difficult, but it can take some time depending on how much data you have and your network speed. But once they’re transferred, you won’t need your PS4 unless you want to use it for remote play or similar.

Unfortunately, the PS5’s SSD doesn’t take up a lot of space, so if you plan on playing a lot of PS4 games on the PS5, you’ll probably need an external hard drive.