PS5 save files - How to transfer saves from PS4 to PlayStation 5 and moving PS5 saves explained

Publish date: 2023-01-20

Transferring your save files from your PS4 to your shiny new PS5 will allow you to play any of your PS5 compatible games. You'll also be able to continue playing on the save files if you want to.

If you haven't transferred save data between consoles before, then this process can be quite daunting, but don't worry - it's actually quite simple once you have both consoles set up properly.

This page explains how to data from the PlayStation 4 to the PlayStation 5, including exactly what kind of data you can actually transfer and Cloud Storage, which is currently the only way to transfer save files between different PS5 consoles.

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If you'd like to learn more about the PS5, then check out our guides on the Control Centre, Remote Play, user accounts, online status, capture settings and the PS5 stand.

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What data can you transfer from the PS4 to the PS5?

While you can transfer save files, games and apps from the PS4 to the PS5, there are a couple of restrictions on exactly what you can transfer.

These restrictions are:

Only transfer save data for games that are playable on the PS5
Can only transfer data from your own PlayStation Network account
Can't transfer data stored in extended storage

Thankfully, any data you do transfer will remain on the PS4, which means you don't have to worry about accidentally wiping the console's storage during this process.

How to transfer save files from the PS4 to the PS5

It's possible to transfer save files from the PS4 to the PS5 both during the initial setup for your PS5 and after this setup has been completed.

No matter when you decide to do the transfer, you must ensure that your PS4 is ready for the data transfer first.

Your PS4 must be turned on and using the same network as your PS5. If you're planning on transferring a large amount of save files, then it's also a good idea to connect the two consoles together using a LAN connection, because this should speed up the process.

Next, you'll want to ensure that you're signed into the same account on both the PS4 and the PS5.

You also ensure that your PS4's system software is properly updated and to synchronise your trophy information, which can be done automatically by visiting the trophy page or manually by pressing the Options button on the controller and selecting 'Sync with PlayStation Network.'

Once your PS4 is ready, it's time to jump over to the PS5.

If you're doing the save files transfer during the initial setup, then you'll receive a prompt during this process. If you're doing it afterwards, then you can find this feature by heading to the Setting menu, selecting the option 'System' and, finally, selecting 'Data transfer.'

The PS5 will then search for the PS4 and, to confirm that it's found the right machine, you'll have five minutes to press the power button of the PS4 for one second until it beeps.

After this confirmation, you'll be able to select which game, app and saved data you wish to transfer across to your PS5.

You'll be able to see how much storage your PS5 has left by looking at the bottom right -hand corner of the screen and the file size of each save, app or game will also be listed to help ensure that you don't run out of space on your PS5.

After you've decided exactly which data you wish to transfer, you'll be given an estimated time for this data to transfer.

Once this transfer is complete, the PS5 will restart and you'll be returned to the PS5 home screen, where, in the Downloads / Uploads section of the Control Centre, you'll find the data transfer working in the background.

You can now either wait till the transfer is completed or use your PS5 however you like.

When it is done, however, you'll be able to find and use any of the PS5 compatible games that you've transferred from the PS4.

How PS5 game saves work explained

Currently, the only way to move save files between different PS5 consoles is to use the Cloud Storage service, which is locked behind the PS Plus paywall.

This means that you can't play any PS5 game off any extended storage device at the moment. You can, however, play PS4 games off an extended storage device on the PS5. It's also possible to install your PS4 games directly onto this device via the PS5.

It should be noted that you can't use a USB hub for this extended storage device and that you can't connect more than one of these drives to the PS5 at the same time.

When transferring a game save from the PS4 to the PS5, it's important to remember that whether this save is compatible with the PS5 version of the same game is a developer decision. This means you may be unable to play a specific game's PS4 save file if the developer decided to not make those files compatible with the PS5 and, instead, you'll have to start a new game.

Since this is a developer made decision, it's a good idea to figure out whether or not your PS4 save will transform into a PS5 save to save yourself any unnecessary stress.

If you're playing an online service game that's compatible with the PS5, such as Fortnite or Destiny 2, then all you have to do to access your save file is download the game onto the PS5 and log in to access your save file.

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A number of PS4 games can also be upgraded to the digital PS5 version, such as Spider-Man and Control. Depending on the game, this upgrade may be free, require purchase or may only be available for a short period of time. You will need an Internet connection for this upgrade to occur.

If one of your PS4 games does have this feature, you'll be able to start the upgrade by visiting the game's Hub on your PS5, inserting the disc as well if you own the physical version, and, there, you'll be offered the chance to download the PS5 version.

Though, like PS4 saves transforming into PS5 saves, these upgrades are developer dependant, so don't except a PS4 game to include this feature.

How to upload save files to the Cloud Storage on the PS5

Before you can begin using the cloud storage for the PS5, you first need to ensure that you have a PS Plus subscription. Without this, the Cloud Storage will be inaccessible to you.

You can easily purchase a PS Plus subscription by visiting the PlayStation Plus section on the home screen for the PS5. Once you've signed up for a subscription, or if you had one already, you'll want to head to the Settings for the PS5.

Within the Settings menu, you'll want to scroll down to 'Saved Data and Game / App Settings.'

On this new screen you'll want to select 'Saved data (PS5)' followed by 'Console Storage.'

Next pick 'Upload to Cloud Storage' and you'll be able to select which save files you want to upload to the cloud.

If you're manually uploading saved data for a game that has auto-sync for its saved data enabled you'll receive a notification that auto-sync will be disabled. This means that you'll need to turn auto-sync back on for this game.

You'll also receive a notification if a save file already exists in the Cloud Storage.

Once the upload is complete, you'll be able to download this save file onto any PS5 that has your user account on it.

How to download save files from the Cloud Storage on the PS5

Again you'll need a PS Plus subscription to access the Cloud Storage for PS5, so, once you have a subscription or if you already have one, you'll want to head to the 'Saved Data and Game / App Setting' menu in the Settings for the PS5.

There you'll want to select 'Saved Data (PS5),' followed by 'Cloud Storage.'

Next, select the option 'Download to Console Storage' and you'll be able to select which save files you want to download from the cloud.

These files will then begin to download onto your PS5 and you can mark their progress by visiting the Downloads / Uploads section of the Control Centre.

Once the download is completed, you can enjoy your game!