How to Transfer Your PS4 Games and Data to PS5
Upgrading to a PS5 doesn’t mean starting from scratch. The console is built to bring your entire library and progress along with you, and Sony gives you several ways to do it a full built-in transfer, USB drives, or PlayStation Plus cloud saves. Here’s exactly how each method works.
Before You Start: Prep Both Consoles
A few quick steps prevent most transfer headaches. Update the system software on both your PS4 and PS5, since outdated software can stop a transfer from completing properly. Connect both consoles to the same network, and sign into the same PlayStation Network account on each. Make sure your PS5 has enough free space for what you’re bringing over if it’s tight, clearing out captures or preinstalled games first can help. One useful thing to know: transferring copies your data rather than removing it from the PS4, so you can keep playing on your old console if you want to.
Method 1: The Built-In Data Transfer Tool (Recommended)
This is the cleanest way to move your whole library at once. It copies installed games, apps, saved data, and settings in a single pass.
You’ll be offered this option automatically during initial PS5 setup, but you can also run it anytime afterward:
- On your PS5, go to Settings, then System, then System Software.
- Select Data Transfer, then Continue.
- Follow the on-screen prompts your PS5 will detect your PS4 on the network, and you’ll be asked to press and hold the PS4’s power button until it beeps to confirm the connection.
- Choose which profiles, games, saves, and settings you want to migrate.
Your PS5 restarts automatically during the process. You don’t need to wait for everything to finish as soon as a game is ready, its thumbnail appears in your library, and you can start playing while the rest continues transferring in the background. Check progress anytime from the control center under Downloads/Uploads. For the fastest results, a LAN cable connecting both consoles beats Wi-Fi, which is convenient but slower and more dependent on your connection’s stability.
Method 2: PlayStation Plus Cloud Saves
If you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, this is the easiest option for moving a smaller set of save files without touching either console’s storage directly.
On your PS4:
- Go to Settings, then Application Saved Data Management, then Saved Data in System Storage.
- Select Upload to Online Storage, and choose the games you want backed up.
On your PS5:
- Go to Settings, then Saved Data and Game/App Settings, then Saved Data (PS4).
- Select Cloud Storage, then Download to Console Storage.
- Choose to download individual game saves or everything at once.
Method 3: USB Drive Transfer (No Subscription Needed)
This method works without PlayStation Plus and is a dependable option for single-player titles.
On your PS4:
- Connect a USB storage device.
- Go to Settings, then Application Saved Data Management, then Saved Data in System Storage.
- Select Copy to USB Storage Device, choose your save files, and copy them over.
On your PS5:
- Unplug the USB drive from the PS4 and connect it to the PS5.
- Go to Settings, then Saved Data and Game/App Settings, then Saved Data (PS4).
- Select USB Drive, then Copy to Console Storage.
If you already have saved data for the same game on your PS5, you can choose to overwrite it with the version from your USB drive.
Already Have an External Drive Full of PS4 Games?
If your PS4 games are stored on a USB extended storage drive, there’s no transfer needed at all just connect that drive directly to your PS5 to access your data immediately.
What About Digital vs. Physical Games?
For digital games, simply log into your PlayStation account on your PS5, open your library, and download whatever you want to play no transfer tool required. For physical games, you’ll need your original discs and a disc-equipped PS5, since the Digital Edition has no drive.
Common Snags and How to Fix Them
- A purchased game won’t launch: Go to Settings and restore your licenses, then retry the download.
- A game shows up as both PS4 and PS5 versions: Select the version you intend to play in your Game Library, and remove the other to avoid confusion.
- USB drive isn’t recognized: Use only one USB extended storage drive at a time, connect it directly to the console rather than through a hub, and format it through the PS5’s Storage menu if needed.
- Using a child account: Data transfer is limited during initial setup for child accounts. Complete setup with an adult account first, then transfer the child’s data afterward through transfer settings.
The Bottom Line
Moving from PS4 to PS5 is mostly a matter of picking the right method for your situation. The built-in Data Transfer tool is the best all-in-one option if you’re moving your whole library at once, while cloud saves and USB transfers work well for smaller, more targeted moves. Either way, your progress and games are designed to follow you you shouldn’t have to start over.
FAQs
Do I need PlayStation Plus to transfer my PS4 data to PS5?
No. The built-in Data Transfer tool and USB method both work without a subscription. PS Plus cloud saves are simply an additional, more convenient option.
Will transferring my data delete it from my PS4?
No. Transferring copies your data rather than removing it, so you can keep playing on your PS4 if you want to.
Can I start playing a game before the full transfer finishes?
Yes. Once a game’s thumbnail appears in your PS5 library, you can play it while the rest of your data continues transferring in the background.
What’s the fastest way to transfer data between consoles?
A LAN cable connection, which is faster and more reliable than transferring over Wi-Fi.
My purchased game won’t launch on PS5, what do I do?
Go to Settings and restore your licenses, then try downloading the game again.
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