How to Copy Downloaded Games on PS4: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you want to copy downloaded games on your PS4? There are a few ways to approach this, depending on what you mean by “copy.” The PS4 doesn’t allow a direct duplication of game files for distribution to others due to copyright protection. However, you can move your games to an external hard drive for backup or to free up space on your console’s internal storage. You can also enable game sharing with a friend (though proceed with caution, as it can violate Sony’s terms of service). Let’s explore each option in detail.

Moving Games to an External Hard Drive

This is the safest and most straightforward method for backing up your games or creating more space on your PS4’s internal drive. You can connect the external hard drive to another PS4 and play the games on that device, as long as you are logged in with your account that has a license for the games.

What You’ll Need:

• A PS4 console.
• An external hard drive with a USB 3.0 connection. The drive needs to be at least 250GB and no more than 8TB. It also needs to be formatted to exFAT or FAT32.
• Some patience, especially if you’re transferring large games.

Steps:

1. Format the External Hard Drive: If your drive isn’t already formatted to exFAT or FAT32, connect it to a computer and format it accordingly. Warning: Formatting will erase all data on the drive.

2. Connect the Drive to Your PS4: Plug the external hard drive into one of the PS4’s USB ports.

3. Navigate to Settings: On your PS4’s home screen, go to Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices.

4. Select Your Drive: You should see your external hard drive listed. Select it.

5. Format as Extended Storage: Choose the “Format as Extended Storage” option. Follow the on-screen prompts. This will erase any data on the drive, so ensure you’ve backed up anything important elsewhere.

6. Move Games: Now, go to Settings > Storage. You’ll see both your system storage and the extended storage. Select “System Storage“.

7. Select Applications: Choose “Applications“.

8. Press the Options Button: Press the Options button on your controller.

9. Select Move to Extended Storage: Select the option “Move to Extended Storage“.

10. Choose Games to Move: Select the games you want to move to the external drive.

11. Move: Select “Move“. The PS4 will now transfer the selected games to the external drive. The time this takes will depend on the size and number of games you’re moving.

Playing Games From the External Hard Drive:

Once the transfer is complete, you can play the games directly from the external hard drive. Simply connect the drive to your PS4, and the games will appear in your game library.

Understanding Game Sharing on PS4 (and the Risks)

Game sharing allows you to share your digital game library with a friend by designating their console as your “primary” PS4. This can be convenient, but it’s important to understand the potential risks and the Terms of Service (ToS).

How Game Sharing Works:

1. Sign In: On your friend’s PS4, sign in with your PlayStation Network (PSN) account.

2. Activate as Primary: Go to Settings > Account Management > Activate as Your Primary PS4 and select “Activate“. This makes your friend’s console your primary PS4.

3. Download Games: Your friend can now access your purchased games from the PlayStation Store and download them to their console.

4. Sign Out: After activating the console as your primary, sign out of your account on your friend’s PS4.

Your friend can now play your downloaded games on their account, and you can still play your games on your own console.

Important Considerations:

• You Can Only Have One Primary PS4: You can only activate one PS4 as your primary console at a time.

• Security Risk: Sharing your account information with someone else carries a security risk. They could potentially access your payment information or make unauthorized purchases.

• Terms of Service Violation: Sony’s Terms of Service generally prohibit sharing accounts. While they may not actively police this, there’s a risk your account could be suspended or banned if detected.

• License Restrictions: The license for the game is tied to the account that purchased it. While game sharing allows others to access the game, it doesn’t transfer ownership.

Other Ways to Access Your Downloaded Games

• Downloading Games on Multiple Consoles: You can download your purchased digital games on multiple PS4 consoles, but you’ll need to be signed in with your account to play them. This is because the license is tied to your account.

• PlayStation App: You can use the PlayStation App on your smartphone or tablet to purchase and download games remotely to your PS4.

• PlayStation Store: You can download any game that you have a license for from the Playstation Store.

FAQs: Copying Downloaded Games on PS4

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about copying or sharing downloaded games on PS4:

1. Can I directly copy game files from my PS4 to a USB drive and play them on another PS4?

   No, the PS4 prevents direct copying of game files for security reasons. You can move the game to an external hard drive for backup or use as extended storage, but playing them on another PS4 requires the account that owns the game.

2. Is it illegal to share my PSN account details for game sharing?

   It’s not illegal in a legal sense, but it’s a violation of Sony’s Terms of Service and could lead to account suspension or banning.

3. How many times can I download a digital game I purchased on the PlayStation Store?

   You can download a digital game as many times as you need to on any PS4 console where you are logged in with the account that purchased the game.

4. Can I give a physical copy of a PS4 game to a friend after I’ve downloaded the digital version?

   Yes, because you own the physical copy. What you do with the game is up to you.

5. If I move a game to an external hard drive, does it free up space on my PS4’s internal storage?

   Yes, moving a game to an external hard drive will free up space on your PS4’s internal storage.

6. Can I play a game from an external hard drive on a PS5?

   Yes, but only PS4 games. You can play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive connected to a PS5. PS5 games must be installed on the internal SSD.

7. What happens if I game share, and my friend gets banned? Does my account get banned too?

   Potentially, yes. If you are caught game sharing with another account and that account is banned, there is a chance your account could be suspended or banned as well since it shows you’ve been in contact with the account that was violating the Terms of Service.

8. Can Sony detect if I’m game sharing?

   Sony has ways to detect account sharing patterns, but they don’t always actively enforce the rules. However, the risk is always there.

9. Is it better to buy physical or digital games for PS4?

   It depends. Physical games can be resold or traded, while digital games offer convenience and instant access. Physical games also tend to decrease in price quicker. Digital games also cannot be taken away from you. Consider what you’re looking for from the game.

10. If I delete a digital game from my PS4, can I download it again later?

    Yes, you can re-download any digital game you’ve purchased from the PlayStation Store as long as you’re signed in with the account that owns the game.

11. How does the “copying” process work when downloading a game update on PS4?

    The “copying” process is an anti-corruption measure. The PS4 is copying the existing game files and merging the updated data to ensure the game runs smoothly.

12. Can I use a USB flash drive to store PS4 games?

    While technically possible, it’s not recommended. USB flash drives are generally slower than external hard drives, which can affect game performance.

13. How can I back up my PS4 data, including downloaded games?

    You can back up your PS4 data to an external hard drive via the Settings > System > Back Up and Restore menu.

14. Are there any free PS4 games I can download and share legally?

    Yes, there are many free-to-play games on the PlayStation Store that you can download and share with friends. These games often have in-app purchases.

15. Where can I learn more about game design and the societal impacts of gaming?

    Check out the Games Learning Society at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. They are a great resource for anyone interested in the educational and social aspects of gaming.