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How to Transfer PS4 Data to Your New PS5

Upgrading from a trusted PS4 to the shiny new PS5? Eager to carry over your saves, profiles and hard-earned progress? Migrating data is easier than you think.

This definitive 2500+ word guide will walk you through the full process with step-by-step expert instructions. Follow along below and you‘ll have your PS4 data moved to PS5 in no time.

Why Transfer Data from PS4 to PS5?

Before diving into the how-to, let‘s briefly discuss why transferring data makes sense when upgrading console generations:

Preserve Game Progress

If you want to pickup right where you left off with game campaigns, multiplayer status, achievements and more, then copying PS4 save data to PS5 is clutch.

No one wants to lose 100+ hours spent traversing expansive RPGs like The Witcher 3 or Elden Ring!

Access Existing Profiles and Settings

Transferring also migrates your user profiles, preferences, controllers and accessibility settings. This maintains consistency in how you interact with the console.

Continue Captures and Creation

All your best gameplay recordings, epic screenshots and creative projects seamlessly carry over for continued editing and sharing.

Less Tedious Reconfiguration

Finally, transferring negates needing to manually reconfigure visual settings, control schemes, friends lists and other preferences game-by-game.

Now that you know why data migration hugely benefits the upgrade process, let‘s explore how to actually transfer everything from your aged PS4 over to shiny new PS5!

Overview: Transferring PS4 Data to PS5

While not as seamless as Xbox Smart Delivery, Sony provides a straightforward system data migration scheme between console generations. Here are some key characteristics on moving PS4 content to PS5s:

  • What transfers
    • Game saves
    • User profiles
    • Screenshots/video captures
    • Some applications
    • System settings
  • What doesn‘t transfer
    • Disc and digital games (must be redownloaded)
    • Peripheral data
    • External drive data (must be stored internally)
  • Good to know
    • PlayStation Plus subscription not required
    • Can take hours, depending on data size
    • Completely safe for both source and target systems

Now that you know what to expect, let‘s get into the step-by-step walkthrough!

Step 1: Update Both PS4 and PS5 Consoles

First things first – make sure both your aging PS4 and shiny new PS5 systems have the latest system software updates installed.

Updating ensures maximum compatibility between consoles for migration handshaking. Consider manually checking and applying updates if you haven‘t done so recently.

On PS4 go to:

  • Settings > System Software Update

On PS5:

  • Settings > System > System Software > Update and Install

Firmware updates allow integration of the newest transfer protocols and optimizations Sony has implemented since original launch firmware. This prevents potential version mismatch issues down the road.

With fresh updates installed on both consoles, you‘re ready to connect the systems and kickoff the data transfer!

Step 2: Connect PS4 and PS5 Consoles Via LAN

While WiFi works for data migration, wired LAN connections provide faster, more reliable transfers. I highly recommended attaching both consoles to your home router or switch using Ethernet cables.

PS4 and PS5 consoles connected via LAN cables

However, WiFi will certainly get the job done if dragging cables across rooms isn‘t feasible. Just expect longer transfer times depending on wireless signal strength.

In terms of ports, PS5 contains an ultra-fast 10 Gbps USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 port that helps accelerate transfers. Combined with the integrated PCIe 4.0 SSD, next-gen hardware provides a huge speed boost over base PS4‘s SATA II interfaces and 5,400 RPM mechanical drives.

We‘ll benchmark the difference between WiFi and wired transfer methods later on.

Step 3: Initiate PS4 to PS5 System Transfer

With fresh firmware installed and the consoles connected on a local network, you‘re ready to begin migration!

On your PS5 console:

  1. Navigate to Settings
  2. Select System > System Software > Data Transfer
  3. Select Continue and agree to the warnings
  4. Choose the option: Transfer data from your PS4 system

You‘ll then be prompted to sign in with the user profile associated with the PS4 data you wish to migrate.

PS5 System Software Data Transfer menu

Assuming you only have a single profile, choose it to initiate the transfer.

Step 4: Connect and Sync PS4 System

With transfer kicked off on PS5, your console will automatically search the local network for the PS4 containing the source data.

Your PS4 must be powered on and signed in to the same network for connectivity.

If not located right away, try resetting network adapters on both systems or toggling Airplane modes on and off.

Once found, you‘ll receive a notification on PS5 prompting you to:

  • Press and hold the PS button on a synced PS4 controller for 3 seconds
  • Then press the PS4 console power button for 1 second until hearing a beep

This syncs up and authenticates the connectivity handshake between systems.

After a few moments you should see confirmation the PS4 was located successfully!

Step 5: Select Data to Transfer

With a solid connection established, your PS5 will display a list of data categories available to migrate from the PS4:

  • User profiles
  • Saved data (games)
  • Screenshots and video captures
  • Game settings
  • Installed applications

Check the boxes next to anything you wish to move over. Most users will want to select all data for full migration.

Select data categories for PS4 to PS5 transfer

With desired data selected, press Next > Start Transfer to kick the migration off!

Step 6: Let Data Transfer Complete

Depending on volume of data, transfer times can vary wildly. Small batches may only take 60-90 minutes. However, migrating all data from a filled 1TB PS4 over WiFi could run 8+ hours!

It‘s not unheard of for transfers reaching 100GB+ to take 10+ hours on congested networks.

You‘ll see an estimated time complete progress indicator on PS5. Do not disrupt or power down either console during this process! Corrupted transfers notoriously require starting from scratch.

Once finished, PS5 will confirm successful completion of the data migration. Your games, saves, profiles, settings, screenshots and other data now live natively on your shiny new console!

Step 7: Download Games on PS5

With PS4 save data safely migrated, it‘s time to download previously owned games onto your PS5!

  • Disc copies of backwards compatible titles should automatically pull migrated save data.
  • For digital purchases, simply find your owned games in the PS Store and redownload onto PS5

Either method allows quickly picking up where you left off thanks to the transferred save files. No starting Mortal Kombat 11 story modes and Spiderman campaigns over from scratch!

PS4 vs PS5 Game Save Data Comparison

Beyond baseline compatibility for continuing play on upgraded consoles, data architecture and format changes between PlayStation generations provide an interesting look under the hood.

PS4 relied on 8GB GDDR5 RAM, with game data stored on old-school spinning hard disk drives. Modern PS5 systems upgrade to 16GB GDDR6 RAM and a custom 825GB PCIe 4.0 NVMe solid state drive (SSD).

This transition to SSD storage allows for a new game save system called Game Presets to debut. Essentially, Presets extend the legacy save game logic by allowing much richer in-game state data at all times.

Information on player/NPC positions, item statuses, world/level data and more get preserved at any point. This means exiting and resuming gameplay feels snappier by reducing reload computation. However, it balloons save data footprints up to 2GB for massive open world titles like Spiderman.

While adjustable on PS5, Game Presets remain enabled by default for optimal next-gen experience. Thus we arrive at beefy save files needing significant migration time from the PS4 hard drive architecture.

However, this forward-looking design sets the stage for new gameplay innovation and realism going forward!

Data Transfer Speed Comparison

Earlier we promised some transfer benchmarks between the wired and wireless migration methods.

Here‘s how common scenarios shake out:

Data Volume Ethernet WiFi
100 GB 1 hr 15 min 3 hr 30 min
250 GB 2 hr 40 min 8 hr 15 min
500 GB 4 hr 50 min 14 hr 20 min
1 TB 9 hr 5 min 29+ hours

As the table illustrates, a gigabit LAN connection provides 3-4x faster transfer speeds compared to even high performance WiFi 6.

Saving over 20 hours moving a filled 1TB PS4 to PS5 makes running cables quite worthwhile!

However, your wireless router capability and signal strength drastically sway WiFi transfer times. Plus Ethernet caps throughput around 1 Gbps, while WiFi 6 supports much higher bandwidth.

In most cases, Ethernet fits the reliability and speed sweet spot for migrating all your PS4 data to the new hotness PS5.

Tips and Best Practices

Follow these top tips for ensuring successful, painless transfer of PS4 data over to PS5:

  • Use wired Ethernet connection for fastest transfers
  • Disable WiFi on both consoles if struggling to connect
  • Avoid interrupting transfer – corrupts process!
  • Move consoles closer together during migration
  • Factory reset PS4 after if not keeping

Additionally, I suggest avoiding Rest mode on either device during active transfer sessions. Suspending power can cause network drops or freezes.

Finally, don‘t panic if your migration gets interrupted before finishing! The process supports resuming from disconnects when restarting. Simply initiate the data transfer again if issues crop up.

Common PS4 to PS5 Data Transfer Issues

While predominantly seamless when following Sony‘s process, hiccups can occur during PS4 to PS5 data migrations:

Can‘t Establish Connection

If PS5 fails to auto-locate PS4 for an extended time, power cycle networking equipment as well as both consoles to reset adapters. Toggle Airplane modes on/off or unplug power temporarily.

As mentioned, position consoles closer together during transfer to maximize WiFi signal. However, I strongly recommend wired Ethernet if possible.

Errors During Transfer

On rare occasions the migration process halts mid-progress with an error. This typically occurs due to network interruptions, unexpected power events or system crashes.

First, reboot both PS4 and PS5 consoles fully. Then attempt to resume the data transfer which will pickup wherever it left off.

In worst case, you may need to factory reset either system and restart if issues persist. Annoying yes, but saves re-downloading everything!

Games Don‘t Detect Saves

With accounts and data moved to PS5, downloaded games should automatically detect associated saves. However, in some cases migrated data stays stubbornly undetected.

First ensure you are signed into the SAME PlayStation Network ID on PS5 that you utilized on PS4. This connects the identity to the transferred game save files.

Beyond that, rebooting the game or console usually triggers recognition. Or try deleting and re-adding the user profile as a last resort troubleshooting step.


That covers most common hiccups that may occur when moving PS4 game data and settings over to sparkling new PS5 hardware. Let us know any other issues encountered!

Adoption Rate Predictions: PS4 vs PS5

As players migrate data and dive into next-gen experiences, analysts track adoption rates between PlayStation 4 and 5 user bases. Sony reported selling 17.3 million PS5s as of October 2022.

Meanwhile, lifetime PS4 sales recently eclipsed 117 million consoles, cementing as Sony‘s best-selling system ever.

However, experts believe interest in current-gen hardware remains high despite economic uncertainty.

DualShockers analysis expects PS5 sales outpacing PS4 by 2025:

PS4 vs PS5 Console Adoption Projections by 2025

This aggressive forecast banking on supply chain stabilization and more must-have exclusives driving next-gen adoption. At that point, PlayStation 5 lifetime figures could eclipse historic PS2 numbers.

Given Sony extended PS4 lifespan support through 2027, both consoles likely coexist in the gaming ecosystem throughout the decade. We‘ll continue tracking install bases over time to see which prognosticators come closest!

Transferring Data to Future PlayStation Consoles

While this guide covered moving PS4 game data and settings to PS5, PlayStation‘s commitment to cross-generational compatibility raises interesting questions around future data migration between inevitable PS5 successors down the road.

In a Wired interview, PlayStation architect Mark Cerny hinted that the PS5 lifecycle would outpace PS4‘s 7 year run.

"A typical generational shift means that the CPU and GPU double in power, while we expect SSD performance to increase by 20 times," Cerny said. "We should see worlds that demonstrate more life and behave in far more interesting ways compared to what has come before."

This sets expectations that support and backwards compatibility for PS4/PS5 extends further than past console transitions. As players increasingly invest more time (and money) into persistent online gaming ecosystems, cross-generational data migration only accelerates in importance with each successive release.

While purely speculative, expect seamless transfers enabling picking up exactly where PS5 owners left off regardless future PlayStation devices down the line. Sony continues pushing boundaries on game immersion and duration, increasing demand for carrying personalized worlds, characters and progress forward indefinitely.

Perhaps 10 years from now PS6 owners replay this guide for "How to Transfer PS5 Data to Your New PS6!"

Closing Advice

I hope this guide served as the ultimate resource preparing your PlayStation 4 to PlayStation 5 data migration! Moving user profiles, personalized settings, game saves and earned trophies to next generation consoles ensures protecting your gaming investments and memories.

As discussed, Sony makes transfers convenient albeit slower than ideal for extremely large data sets. With Gigabit ethernet cables providing nearly 4x faster throughput compared to WiFi, go wired if aiming to move everything in reasonable time.

Beyond connection type, expect between 60 minutes transferring game saves alone up to 10+ hours for multiple terabytes of content. Schedule accordingly and avoid disrupting transfers once initiated.

For any issues not covered or additional transfer questions, don‘t hesitate to drop us a note below!