How to Automatically Save Your PS5 Games to the Cloud: A Comprehensive Guide
So, you want to ensure your precious PS5 game progress is safely backed up? Excellent choice! Activating auto cloud save on your PlayStation 5 is a simple but crucial step to prevent losing countless hours of gameplay due to console issues or accidental data loss. Here’s how to do it, step-by-step:
- Navigate to Settings from the PS5 home screen.
- Scroll down to Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS5).
- Choose Sync Saved Data.
- Enable Auto-Sync Saved Data.
That’s it! With Auto-Sync Saved Data enabled, your PS5 will automatically upload your game saves to the cloud, keeping them safe and readily available should you need them.
Understanding PS5 Cloud Saves: Beyond the Basics
While enabling auto-sync is straightforward, understanding how cloud saves work on the PS5 and potential issues you might encounter will empower you to troubleshoot and maintain optimal performance. Let’s delve deeper into related aspects of PS5 cloud saving.
PS4 vs. PS5 Cloud Save Handling
It’s important to note the distinction in how the PS5 handles cloud saves for PS4 and PS5 games. For PS5 games, the syncing between your console and cloud storage is automatic, ensuring the most recent data is consistently available in both locations. However, for PS4 games, the data is automatically uploaded to your cloud storage, but you’ll need to manually download it to your PS5 console storage if you want to continue playing on the PS5 after playing on a PS4.
Troubleshooting Cloud Save Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go as smoothly as we’d like. You might encounter issues like the PS5 getting stuck on “Checking for Saved Data on Cloud Storage.” We will discuss how to resolve them later in the FAQs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About PS5 Cloud Saves
Here are 15 frequently asked questions to further clarify how cloud saves work on the PS5 and address potential concerns:
1. Does PS5 cloud save automatically for all games?
Yes, once you enable Auto-Sync Saved Data in the settings, the PS5 will attempt to automatically upload save data for all PS5 games. However, the game must support cloud saves for this feature to work. Most games do, but it’s always wise to double-check. For PS4 games, it uploads to cloud storage automatically, but you’ll need to download the data to the PS5 if you want to play the game on the PS5.
2. How do I manually upload saves to the cloud on PS5?
If you prefer manual control, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Upload to Cloud Storage. Select the game and the save data you want to upload. This is useful if you want to force an upload immediately, rather than waiting for the automatic sync.
3. Why is my PS5 constantly “Checking for Saved Data on Cloud Storage”?
This can be caused by several factors:
- Temporary server issues: PlayStation Network might be experiencing problems.
- Unstable internet connection: Ensure you have a stable and reliable internet connection.
- Insufficient cloud storage: Your cloud storage might be full.
- Software Glitch: Restarting your PS5 is often helpful to clear temporary software glitches.
4. How do I fix the “Checking for Saved Data on Cloud Storage” error on PS5?
Try these solutions:
- Restart your PS5: A simple restart often resolves temporary glitches.
- Check your internet connection: Ensure you have a stable and active connection.
- Change DNS Settings: Try using Google’s DNS servers (8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4).
- Turn off Cloud Sync: Temporarily disable cloud sync to see if the problem persists.
- Check your Cloud Storage: Delete old or unnecessary save data to free up space.
5. How do I turn off auto cloud save on PS5?
Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Sync Saved Data. Then, disable Auto-Sync Saved Data. This will stop automatic uploads.
6. My cloud storage is full! What do I do?
Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Cloud Storage. Review your saved data and delete any old or unnecessary files to free up space.
7. How do I download cloud saves to my PS5?
Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Download to Console Storage. Select the game and the save data you want to download.
8. Can I use extended storage for PS5 cloud saves?
No, extended storage (external hard drives) can be used to store PS5 games, but not save data. Save data is stored either on the console’s internal storage or in the cloud. You cannot play PS5 games directly from extended storage. You must move them to the internal SSD first.
9. How much cloud storage do I get with PlayStation Plus?
The amount of cloud storage depends on your PlayStation Plus subscription tier. Typically, you receive 100 GB of cloud storage. Check your subscription details for the exact amount.
10. Will deleting a game on my PS5 also delete my cloud saves?
No, deleting a game from your PS5 does not automatically delete your cloud saves. Your cloud saves will remain in the cloud, unless you specifically delete them from the Cloud Storage settings.
11. Does cloud gaming on PlayStation automatically save progress?
Yes, if you are using PlayStation Plus Premium for cloud gaming, game progress is usually automatically saved to the cloud while you’re connected to the PlayStation Network.
12. Why can’t I turn on auto-upload for game captures on the PS5?
To enable auto-upload of screenshots and videos to the PlayStation App, ensure the following:
- Your PS5 console is linked to the PlayStation App.
- Your PS5 console is left in rest mode with the Stay Connected to the Internet setting enabled. You can find this in Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
13. How do I manage my save data for PS4 games on my PS5?
PS4 game saves on PS5 can be transferred via cloud storage (if you have PlayStation Plus), USB drive, or network transfer. Select Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) to manage these saves.
14. What happens if my PlayStation Plus subscription expires?
If your PlayStation Plus subscription expires, you will lose access to your cloud saves. You can regain access by resubscribing to PlayStation Plus. Sony usually provides a grace period to download your saves before permanently deleting them.
15. Does turning off my PS5 during a cloud save upload corrupt the data?
It’s generally not recommended to turn off your PS5 during a cloud save upload. Doing so could potentially corrupt the save data. It is best to wait until the upload is complete. A notification will generally appear confirming completion.
Conclusion
Enabling and understanding PS5 auto cloud saves is a vital step in protecting your gaming progress. By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure your saves are safe and accessible whenever you need them. Remember to manage your cloud storage regularly and maintain a stable internet connection for optimal performance.
For more information on gaming and learning, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.