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Should All My PS4 Games Transfer to PS5? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer? Absolutely, you should try to transfer all your PS4 games to your PS5. The process is designed to be as seamless as possible, unlocking a vast library of familiar experiences on your new, more powerful hardware. There are a few caveats, of course, which we’ll delve into, but for the most part, bringing your PS4 library along for the ride is a no-brainer. Let’s break down why, how, and what to expect.

The Allure of Backward Compatibility

The PS5’s backward compatibility with the PS4 is a significant advantage. It means you’re not forced to abandon your existing digital and physical game library when upgrading. You can continue playing the games you love, often with improved performance and visuals. This accessibility allows you to pick up where you left off, retaining your progress, trophies, and the sheer enjoyment of games you already own. It is not just about convenience; it is about preserving your gaming history.

Benefits of Transferring Your PS4 Games

Save Your Progress: Arguably the biggest win. Transferring ensures you don’t lose hours of gameplay. All those meticulously crafted characters, conquered challenges, and discovered secrets come with you. Starting from scratch on a new console is, for most gamers, an unthinkable prospect.
Digital Game Library at Your Fingertips: If you primarily purchase games digitally, transferring your data allows you to immediately access your entire PS4 library on your PS5, avoiding the need to re-purchase games.
Physical Discs Still Work (with a Disc Drive PS5): For physical game owners, the PS5 with a disc drive allows you to reinstall your PS4 games directly from the disc.
Potential Performance Enhancements: Many PS4 games benefit from the PS5’s superior hardware, exhibiting better frame rates, faster loading times, and enhanced resolutions. Even without dedicated PS5 patches, you’ll often see noticeable improvements.
It’s Easy! Sony has designed the transfer process to be relatively straightforward, with multiple methods available to suit your needs.
Save Money: Because you don’t have to re-buy any games, you save money.

Methods of Transferring Your Data

There are several ways to transfer your data from your PS4 to your PS5:

1. Data Transfer via Network

This is the most common and convenient method.

What you’ll need: Both your PS4 and PS5 connected to the same network. Using a wired connection (Ethernet cables) is highly recommended for faster and more stable transfer speeds.
How it works: During the initial PS5 setup, you’ll be prompted to transfer data from your PS4. If you skipped this step, you can initiate the process later via the PS5’s settings menu. The PS5 will detect your PS4 on the network and guide you through the selection process, allowing you to choose which games, apps, and saved data to transfer.
Considerations: The transfer time depends on the amount of data being transferred and the speed of your network. Be prepared to wait several hours for large libraries. Both consoles need to be on during the entire transfer.

2. External Hard Drive

This method is ideal if you have a large external hard drive.

What you’ll need: An external hard drive formatted for use with the PS4 (or capable of being reformatted).
How it works: Connect the external hard drive to your PS4 and copy your games and save data to it. Then, connect the hard drive to your PS5 and copy the data from the drive to your PS5’s internal storage.
Considerations: This method requires you to physically move the hard drive between consoles. While generally faster than network transfer for large amounts of data, it can be less convenient.

3. Cloud Storage (PlayStation Plus Required)

This method is best for save data and is often used in conjunction with other transfer methods.

What you’ll need: A PlayStation Plus subscription.
How it works: Your PS4 automatically uploads save data to the cloud (if enabled in settings). On your PS5, you can download this save data from the cloud to your console storage.
Considerations: This method is primarily for save data and doesn’t transfer entire games or applications. It is a valuable backup strategy.

The Few Exceptions to Compatibility

While the PS5 boasts impressive backward compatibility, a small handful of PS4 games are incompatible. This is extremely rare, however. As of the last update, the list of incompatible games is minuscule, including:

Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One
Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
Just Deal With It!
Robinson: The Journey
Shadwen
TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2
We Sing

It’s always wise to double-check a specific game’s compatibility online if you have any concerns. This list is subject to change.

Upgrading PS4 Games to PS5 Versions

Many PS4 games offer free or paid upgrades to native PS5 versions. These upgraded versions often include significant graphical and performance enhancements, taking full advantage of the PS5’s capabilities. To check for an upgrade:

Digital Games: Search for the game in the PlayStation Store or your game library. Look for an upgrade option on the game’s page.
Physical Discs: Insert the PS4 disc into your PS5. If an upgrade is available, you’ll be prompted to download it. The disc is required each time to play.

Important Considerations:

Not all games offer free upgrades. Some require a purchase.
The upgrade process may vary depending on the game.
You’ll likely need to download a separate PS5 version of the game, even if you’re using a physical PS4 disc.

Troubleshooting Common Transfer Issues

Slow Transfer Speeds: Use a wired connection (Ethernet cables) for both consoles. Ensure no other devices are heavily using your network.
Data Transfer Errors: Restart both consoles. Check for any firmware updates.
Games Not Appearing: Ensure you’re signed in to the PS5 with the same PlayStation Network account you used on your PS4. Restore Licenses on your PS5.
Locked Games: Activate Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5. If playing on a PS4, activate the console as your primary PS4.

Is it Worth it? Absolutely!

Transferring your PS4 games to your PS5 is overwhelmingly beneficial. It allows you to retain your progress, access your existing game library, and potentially experience enhanced performance. While a few games are incompatible, the vast majority of PS4 titles work seamlessly on the PS5, making the transition a worthwhile endeavor. Don’t leave your gaming history behind; bring it with you to the next generation!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What PS4 games are not compatible with PS5?

As mentioned earlier, the list is very small. Currently, the known incompatible games include Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One, Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, Just Deal With It!, Robinson: The Journey, Shadwen, TT Isle of Man – Ride on the Edge 2, and We Sing. Always double-check for updated lists, as this can change.

2. Do I need to rebuy games for PS5?

No, if you own digital versions of PS4 games, you don’t need to rebuy them for PS5. Simply transfer your data or download them from the PlayStation Store using the same account. For physical games, you can reinstall them from the disc (assuming you have the PS5 version with a disc drive). However, to get the full benefits of the new console’s tech, you might need to upgrade some games to the PS5 version, which sometimes involves a fee.

3. Do PS4 games automatically upgrade to PS5?

No, PS4 games don’t automatically upgrade to PS5 versions. You need to find the game in the PlayStation Store or your game library and look for an upgrade offer. Some upgrades are free, while others require a purchase.

4. How long does it take to transfer all PS4 data to PS5?

The transfer time depends on the amount of data you’re transferring and the speed of your network. It can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight for large amounts of data. Wired connections are faster and more reliable than Wi-Fi.

5. Can you transfer PS4 games to PS5 without a disc?

Yes, you can transfer digital PS4 games to PS5 without a disc. Just sign in to your PS5 with the same PSN account you used for your PS4 and download the games from the PlayStation Store.

6. Does PS5 automatically save to the cloud?

Yes, for PS5 games, your console and cloud storage sync to the most recent data automatically. For PS4 games, data uploads to cloud storage automatically, but you need to manually download it to the PS5 console storage. You need a PlayStation Plus subscription for cloud saves.

7. Do PS4 controllers work on PS5?

Yes, PS4 controllers work on PS5, but only when playing PS4 games. They are not compatible with PS5-specific games due to the new features and improvements of the DualSense controller.

8. What to do with PS4 after getting PS5?

You can use your PS4 as a streaming device for your PS5 games via Remote Play, giving you a second console to access PS5 content in another room. Alternatively, you can sell or trade in your PS4.

9. Will my saved games transfer to PS5?

Yes, your saved games will transfer to PS5 via network transfer, external hard drive, or cloud storage (PlayStation Plus required).

10. Does cloud save work between PS4 and PS5?

Yes, cloud saves work between PS4 and PS5. You can upload your saved data from your PS4 to the cloud and download it to your PS5. Make sure cloud saving is enabled in your PS4 settings.

11. How do I free up space on my PS5?

Go to Settings > Storage > Games and Apps. Select Delete Content, then select the data you want to remove. You can always re-download deleted games and apps from your game library.

12. Why are my PS4 games locked on PS5?

If you see a padlock icon, download the content through your account and activate Console Sharing and Offline Play on your PS5.

13. How much does it cost to upgrade games to PS5?

The cost to upgrade games to PS5 varies. Some upgrades are free, while others may cost around $10 or more. Check the PlayStation Store for specific pricing.

14. How much storage does the PS5 have?

The PS5 has an 825GB SSD, but only 667.2GB is usable for games and apps after system files are accounted for.

15. Why won’t my PS5 read my PS4 disc?

Ensure the disc is clean and inserted correctly. Try flipping the disc. If the issue persists, try rebuilding the database in Safe Mode.

Should all my PS4 games transfer to PS5?