Can I play a PS4 game without updating it?

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You can play a PS4 game without updating it as long as you turn the console to offline mode, although you won’t be able to play online versions of the games without the update, and only disc-based versions of the game will work. The console will still run and play games made for it, but you’ll be missing out on major features like streaming services, game updates/patches, online multiplayer, and getting PS+ games if you have that service.

Understanding PS4 Game Updates

To better understand the implications of playing a PS4 game without updating it, let’s dive into some frequently asked questions related to PS4 gaming and updates.

PS4 Game Updates and Installation

The following FAQs provide insights into how PS4 game updates work, how they affect gameplay, and what options are available for managing updates.

1. What happens if you don’t update your PS4? The console will still run and play games made for it, but you’ll be missing out on major features like streaming services, game updates/patches, online multiplayer, and getting PS+ games if you have that service.
2. Do PS4 games update while playing? Only PSN download can be done in the background, and if you’re playing a game while it’s updating, it will disconnect the game from the network as it’s updating.
3. Do you have to download PS4 games before playing? Your PS4 does need to install a considerable portion of the game onto your drive from the disc, and you still need the disc to run it because that’s your license.
4. Should I update PS4 games? If you don’t update, then your system will be less secure, and will have fewer features than an updated machine, and you will not be allowed to use the PS4 for online gaming.
5. Why do new PS4 games have to install? Because the games have gotten so large, you cannot load the entire game on RAM, meaning pieces of the game must be swapped in and out of RAM, so most modern games simply install most, if not all, of the game from the game disk onto the HD when you first put it in.
6. Why are PS4 game updates so big? Simple code updates can often be no more than 34.5 MB, but some games need to patch over a really large file and the whole file needs to be replaced.
7. Do PS4 discs contain the full game? Every game is 100% installed, whether it’s a digital game or disc game, so they both take up the same space, and the only difference is the fact that you need to keep in the disc for a disc game as the console uses the disc as a license check.
8. Do games install faster when PS4 is off? When your PS4 is in Rest Mode, it can continue to download games, updates, and patches in the background while using minimal power, allowing it to prioritize and utilize more of your available internet bandwidth for downloading, resulting in faster download speeds.
9. Can you play PS4 games while installing? It’s meant mainly for downloading updates, patches, or actual games, and during an install, you should keep your system turned on, and yes, you can play your games while stuff downloads, but it can take more time to download if you’re using any apps or games at the same time.
10. How do I stop a game from updating on PlayStation? Go to Settings > System > Automatic Downloads and Uploads and you can turn Application Update Files on and off, but if they do release an update, you’ll still be asked to download it when you start the game, so you’ll have to remember to hit no.
11. Does turning off PS4 cancel downloads? If PS4 is in rest mode (not off), then yes, it would download games, and TV on or off is irrelevant for the download, and under settings – power options, you can adjust when PS4 is going to the rest mode and how it behaves in it.
12. What happens if you turn off PS4 while updating a game? There is a good chance you could corrupt your hard drive and it may not boot up again at all, so it is smart to let the update install itself before shutting off the PS4.
13. Can you play PS5 game without updating? You don’t need to update your games on PS5 in order to play them, however, if you don’t update your game fully, you may not be able to play online.
14. Will PS4 go to sleep while downloading? Your PS4 system automatically downloads update files for games and other applications, and to download while in rest mode, select (Settings) > [Power Save Settings] > [Set Features Available in Rest Mode] and then select the checkbox for [Stay Connected to the Internet].
15. Should I put my PS4 in rest mode while downloading a game? To allow auto-downloads and updates, set your console to stay connected to the internet when in rest mode and install update files automatically, enable automatic downloads, and make sure to leave your console in rest mode when not in use.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while it is possible to play a PS4 game without updating it, there are significant limitations and potential drawbacks to consider, including the inability to play online versions of games and missing out on important features and security updates. By understanding how PS4 game updates work and managing them effectively, you can ensure a better gaming experience and make the most out of your PS4 console.