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When you set up a PS5, you don’t have to abandon everything you built on PS4. Save data, game installs, screenshots, video clips, and settings can all move over. The PS5 is backward compatible with nearly the entire PS4 library – over 4,000 titles – so transferring your data means you pick up exactly where you left off, with faster load times and steadier frame rates on the new hardware. Sony gives you three ways to do it: a direct Wi-Fi transfer between consoles, cloud storage through PlayStation Plus, or a USB drive. Each method has trade-offs in speed, what it can transfer, and whether you need a paid subscription.
What Data Can You Transfer from PS4 to PS5
Not everything transfers the same way, and some things don’t need transferring at all. Understanding what moves and what doesn’t saves you from wasting time copying files you don’t need.
| Data type | Wi-Fi transfer | Cloud (PS Plus) | USB drive | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game save data (PS4) | Yes | Yes | Yes | All three methods work |
| Game installs (PS4 games) | Yes | No | Yes (extended storage) | Cloud only stores saves, not full game installs |
| Screenshots and video clips | Yes | No | Yes | Cloud doesn’t store media |
| Settings and preferences | Yes | No | No | Only moves via Wi-Fi transfer |
| Trophies | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | Sync to PSN – no transfer needed |
| Digital game library | Not needed | Not needed | Not needed | Re-download from PS Store on PS5 |
| PS5 game save data | No | Yes (PS Plus) | No | PS5 saves only back up to cloud, not USB |
One thing that catches people off guard: PS5 game saves cannot be copied to a USB drive. Sony restricted PS5 save data to cloud backup only (requires PS Plus). PS4 saves have no such restriction – they copy freely to USB. This matters if you’re playing the PS5 version of a cross-gen game like Ghost of Tsushima Director’s Cut and want a local backup.
How to Transfer PS4 Data to PS5 Using Wi-Fi Transfer
Wi-Fi transfer is the most complete method. It moves game saves, full game installs, screenshots, clips, and settings all at once. The downside is speed – transferring hundreds of gigabytes of installed games over Wi-Fi takes hours. If you only care about save data, the cloud or USB methods are faster. If you want everything including game installs so you don’t have to re-download them, Wi-Fi transfer is the way to go.
What You Need
Both consoles must be on the same Wi-Fi network, powered on, and signed into the same PSN account. The PS4 must be running firmware 8.00 or later. For the fastest transfer, connect both consoles to your router with ethernet cables – Wi-Fi works but is significantly slower, especially for large game libraries. Sony also recommends connecting the two consoles directly with an ethernet cable during the transfer for maximum speed, though this isn’t required.
Steps to Transfer via Wi-Fi
If you’re setting up a brand new PS5, the console offers a data transfer option during initial setup. Select “Transfer Data from Another Console” when prompted and follow the on-screen instructions. The PS5 will search for your PS4 on the network.
If your PS5 is already set up, go to Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer. The PS5 scans for a PS4 on the same network. When it finds your PS4, a prompt appears on the PS4 screen asking you to confirm. Press the power button on the PS4 when instructed. Select the data categories you want to transfer – you can choose all or pick specific items. The PS5 shows an estimated transfer time. For a library of 500GB or more, expect 2-4 hours over Wi-Fi, or roughly 1-2 hours over ethernet.
The PS5 is usable during the transfer, but performance may be affected. You can start playing PS5 games while PS4 data copies in the background – the console prioritizes whichever game you select for immediate use.
How to Transfer PS4 Save Data to PS5 Using Cloud Storage
Cloud storage is the cleanest method for save data specifically. It doesn’t require both consoles to be on at the same time, doesn’t need a USB drive, and your saves are backed up online in case anything happens to either console. The catch: it requires an active PlayStation Plus subscription (Essential, Extra, or Premium tier – all include cloud saves). Cloud storage holds up to 100GB of PS4 save data.
Upload Saves from Your PS4
On your PS4, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage. Select each game whose save data you want to upload, check the individual save files or select all, and press Upload. Repeat for every game you want to bring to PS5. If you previously had auto-upload enabled in your PS Plus settings, your most recent saves may already be in the cloud.
To check whether auto-upload has been running, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Auto-Upload. If it’s on and the PS4 has been in rest mode with internet access, your saves should already be current in the cloud.
Download Saves to Your PS5
On your PS5, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > Cloud Storage. You’ll see a list of every PS4 game save stored in the cloud. Select the games you want and choose Download to Console Storage. The saves are now on your PS5 and ready to use the next time you launch those games.
You can also set the PS5 to auto-download PS4 cloud saves. In the same menu, enable Auto-Download so that any PS4 save you upload to the cloud from either console automatically appears on the PS5.
How to Transfer PS4 Data to PS5 Using a USB Drive
The USB method works without PS Plus and without an internet connection. It handles PS4 save data and, if you use the drive as extended storage, full game installs too. You need a USB drive formatted to FAT32 or exFAT with enough free space for your saves (saves are small – usually under 1GB total even for dozens of games).
Copy Saves to USB from PS4
Plug the USB drive into your PS4. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device. Select the game, check the save files, and press Copy. Repeat for all games. When finished, go to Devices > USB Storage Devices and select Stop Using This USB Storage Device before unplugging it.
Copy Saves from USB to PS5
Plug the USB drive into your PS5. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > USB Drive > Copy to Console Storage. Select the saves you want and confirm. They’ll be available immediately for any installed PS4 games.
Using a USB Drive as Extended Storage for PS4 Game Installs
If you have an external USB hard drive (minimum 250GB, maximum 8TB) formatted as extended storage on your PS4, you can plug it directly into the PS5 and play PS4 games straight from the drive. No copying needed – the PS5 reads PS4 game installs from external USB storage natively. Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage to manage what’s on the drive. You cannot install or run PS5 games from a USB drive – only PS4 games.
How to Transfer PS4 Disc Games to PS5
If you own PS4 games on disc, insert the disc into the PS5 (standard edition only – the PS5 Digital Edition has no disc drive). The PS5 installs the game from the disc and downloads any available patches. Your save data transfers separately using any of the three methods above. The disc must remain in the drive to play the game, just like on PS4.
For PS4 digital purchases, sign into the same PSN account on your PS5, go to your Game Library, and re-download any title. Your purchase history is tied to your account, not the console. Save data still needs to be transferred separately.
PS4 to PS5 Transfer Speed Comparison
| Method | What it transfers | Speed | Requires PS Plus | Requires internet |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi (wireless) | Everything | Slow – hours for large libraries | No | Both consoles on same network |
| Wi-Fi (ethernet) | Everything | Moderate – roughly half the wireless time | No | Both consoles on same network |
| Cloud storage | Save data only | Fast – minutes | Yes | Yes |
| USB drive (saves) | Save data only | Fast – minutes | No | No |
| USB extended storage | PS4 game installs + saves | Instant (play from drive) | No | No |
What to Do If PS4 Save Data Doesn’t Work on PS5
Most PS4 saves work on PS5 without issues, but a few situations cause problems.
Cross-gen upgrade saves: Some games released both a PS4 and PS5 version (like Final Fantasy VII Remake, Horizon Forbidden West, or Ghost of Tsushima). The PS4 save doesn’t automatically work with the PS5 version of the game. Many of these titles include a one-time in-game save transfer or import option – you launch the PS5 version, and it offers to convert your PS4 save. Check the specific game’s menu or settings for an import function. If you’re running the PS4 version of the game on PS5 via backward compatibility (not the native PS5 version), your PS4 save works normally with no conversion needed.
Save data is corrupted: If a save fails to load, try uploading it again from the PS4 (cloud or USB) and re-downloading on PS5. Occasionally a transfer interruption causes partial file corruption.
Game requires update: Some PS4 games won’t load saves from an older version. Make sure the PS5 has downloaded the latest patch for the game before trying to load the save.
How to Transfer Data from PS4 to PS5 FAQs
Can you transfer PS4 data to PS5 without PS Plus?
Yes. Use either the Wi-Fi direct transfer (both consoles on the same network) or a USB drive. PS Plus is only required for the cloud storage method. Wi-Fi transfer moves everything including game installs and settings. USB handles save data and can also serve as extended storage for PS4 game installs.
Do I need to keep my PS4 to play PS4 games on PS5?
No. Once your save data and games are on the PS5, you don’t need the PS4. The PS5 runs PS4 games through backward compatibility. Digital purchases re-download from the PS Store, and disc games install from the disc. Transfer your saves before selling or trading in the PS4.
How long does PS4 to PS5 data transfer take?
It depends on the method and how much data you’re moving. Cloud and USB transfers for save data take a few minutes. Wi-Fi transfer of a full game library (500GB+) takes 2-4 hours over wireless or 1-2 hours over ethernet. The PS5 is playable during the transfer.
Can you transfer PS5 save data to a USB drive?
No. Sony restricts PS5 save data to cloud backup only, which requires PS Plus. You cannot copy PS5 game saves to USB. This only applies to PS5-native saves – PS4 saves on the PS5 can still be copied to USB freely.
Do trophies transfer from PS4 to PS5?
Trophies sync automatically through your PSN account and don’t require any manual transfer. Sign into the same PSN account on your PS5, go to your trophy list, and select “Sync with PlayStation Network” to pull in your full history. This works regardless of whether you have PS Plus.
Will my PS4 external hard drive work on PS5?
Yes, if it was formatted as extended storage on the PS4. Plug it into the PS5 and PS4 games on the drive are playable immediately. You cannot store or run PS5 games from the external drive – only PS4 games. The PS5 also uses the drive for PS4 game downloads to free up the internal SSD for PS5 titles.
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