Transferring Your Legacy: A Comprehensive Guide to Moving PS4 Saves to PS5

So, you’ve ascended to the promised land of the PlayStation 5, ready to bask in the glory of cutting-edge graphics and lightning-fast load times. But what about your hard-earned progress in those beloved PS4 games? Fear not, intrepid gamer! Moving your PS4 save data to your PS5 is a relatively straightforward process, though it does require understanding the available methods and their nuances.

In short, here are the three main ways to download PS4 save data to PS5:

1. PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage: If you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription, you can upload your save data from your PS4 to the cloud and then download it to your PS5.
2. External USB Drive: You can copy your save data from your PS4 to an external USB drive and then transfer it to your PS5.
3. Network Transfer: This method allows you to transfer save data directly between your PS4 and PS5 over your home network.

Let’s delve into each method in detail, equipping you with the knowledge to ensure a seamless transition for your digital accomplishments.

Method 1: The Cloud Highway – PlayStation Plus

This is arguably the most convenient method, provided you’re already a PlayStation Plus subscriber. It leverages Sony’s cloud infrastructure to act as an intermediary between your consoles.

Uploading Saves from Your PS4

1. Ensure your PS4 is connected to the internet.
2. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage.
3. Select the game(s) for which you want to upload save data.
4. Choose the specific save files and click Upload.
5. Wait for the upload to complete. This will depend on your internet speed and the size of the save files.

Downloading Saves to Your PS5

1. Ensure your PS5 is connected to the internet and logged into the same PlayStation Network account as your PS4.
2. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > Cloud Storage.
3. Select Download to Console Storage.
4. Choose the game(s) from which you want to download save data.
5. Select the specific save files and click Download.

Method 2: The Portable Solution – External USB Drive

This method is ideal if you don’t have PlayStation Plus or have a particularly slow internet connection. It involves using a USB drive as a physical bridge between your consoles.

Copying Saves to a USB Drive from Your PS4

1. Insert a USB drive into your PS4. The drive must be formatted as FAT32 or exFAT.
2. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device.
3. Select the game(s) for which you want to copy save data.
4. Choose the specific save files and click Copy.

Transferring Saves to Your PS5 from the USB Drive

1. Insert the USB drive containing your PS4 save data into your PS5.
2. Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > USB Drive.
3. Select Copy to Console Storage.
4. Choose the game(s) from which you want to transfer save data.
5. Select the specific save files and click Copy.

Method 3: The Network Bridge – Network Transfer

This less-known method allows you to transfer data directly between your PS4 and PS5 over your home network, provided both consoles are connected to the same network.

Performing a Network Transfer

1. Make sure both your PS4 and PS5 are connected to the same network.
2. On your PS5, go to Settings > System > Data Transfer > Continue.
3. Select your PS4 from the list of devices.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions. You may need to press the PS button on your PS4 controller to confirm the connection.
5. Select the save data you want to transfer.
6. Wait for the transfer to complete.

Important Considerations

• Game Compatibility: Not all PS4 games are compatible with PS5, and even fewer support save transfers. Check the compatibility of your games before attempting to transfer saves.
• Same Account: You must be logged into the same PlayStation Network account on both your PS4 and PS5 for all three methods to work.
• Save Game Locks: Some games have save game locks, preventing you from copying or transferring save data. This is usually due to copyright restrictions.
• USB Drive Formatting: Ensure your USB drive is formatted correctly (FAT32 or exFAT) before copying data. Formatting the drive will erase all data on it.
• Game Must Be Installed: For your PS5 to recognize your save data, the corresponding PS4 game must be installed on your PS5.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I use PlayStation Plus to transfer PS4 games directly to my PS5?

No, PlayStation Plus allows you to transfer save data, but not the entire game itself. You’ll need to re-download or re-install the game on your PS5. You can download games you own digitally from the PlayStation Store.

2. What happens if I don’t have PlayStation Plus?

You can still transfer save data using an external USB drive or the Network Transfer method. PlayStation Plus simply offers a convenient cloud-based option.

3. My USB drive isn’t being recognized by my PS4 or PS5. What should I do?

First, ensure the USB drive is formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. If it’s still not recognized, try a different USB drive. Sometimes, compatibility issues can arise with specific drives.

4. How do I format my USB drive?

The process varies depending on your operating system (Windows or macOS). Search online for instructions on how to format a USB drive to FAT32 or exFAT using your specific operating system. Remember to back up any important data on the drive first, as formatting will erase everything.

5. Can I transfer PS4 save data to a PS5 that is not my own?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to log in with your own PlayStation Network account on the other PS5 to access your save data. Keep in mind privacy and security considerations when logging into a console that isn’t yours.

6. Will my trophies transfer along with my save data?

Trophies are tied to your PlayStation Network account, not the save data itself. So, as long as you’re logged in with the same account on your PS5, your trophies will automatically sync.

7. I transferred my save data, but the game isn’t recognizing it. What’s wrong?

Ensure the PS4 version of the game is installed on your PS5. Also, double-check that you downloaded or copied the save data to the correct location (console storage). If the game has different versions (e.g., standard and special editions), ensure the save data matches the version you have installed.

8. Does the Network Transfer method work if my PS4 and PS5 are connected via Wi-Fi?

Yes, the Network Transfer method works over Wi-Fi, but a wired connection (Ethernet cable) is generally faster and more reliable for transferring large amounts of data.

9. Can I transfer save data from PS3 to PS5?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a direct method to transfer PS3 save data to PS5. Some games may offer cross-generation compatibility through their own cloud services, but this is game-specific and requires research.

10. Is there a limit to the amount of save data I can store in the PlayStation Plus cloud?

Yes, PlayStation Plus has storage limits for cloud saves. Check your subscription details for the current storage capacity. If you exceed the limit, you’ll need to delete some existing saves to free up space.

11. What happens if I encounter an error during the save data transfer?

First, check your internet connection (if using PlayStation Plus or Network Transfer). Then, ensure you have enough storage space on your PS5. Restarting both consoles can also sometimes resolve minor errors. If the problem persists, contact PlayStation Support for assistance.

12. Does transferring save data affect my PS4?

No, transferring save data does not affect your PS4. The original save data remains on your PS4 unless you manually delete it. You are essentially creating a copy of the save data on your PS5.