PS5: How To Play PS4 Games & Transfer Save Files

PlayStation 5 is a console that gives you several different ways to play. You can access your library of past games, as well as play the new games that are being made for the PlayStation 5 itself. If you are hoping to play your PlayStation 4 favorites on the console, then you are going to need to know how to download them and how to get your saves moved over.

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What Games Work on PlayStation 5?

You are probably wondering just how backward compatible the PlayStation 5 is. Right now, you can play PlayStation 4 games on the console, with some older games being available through Sony’s game streaming service. You can’t directly download games that you purchased on your PlayStation 3, PSP, or PS Vita. You also can’t use discs that are from the original PlayStation, PlayStation 2, or PlayStation 3 on the console. It simply won’t be able to read the discs.

Unless the game has been ported to the PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 store, it won’t be available on the console.

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How to Download PlayStation 4 Game on Your PlayStation 5

Downloading games is simple. If you have a disc, just pop it in. If you bought the game, then it should show up in your game library automatically if you are signed in to the same account. If you know you bought a game digitally and it isn’t showing up, just hop over to the PlayStation Store and search for the title. There will be a download button where the price is usually shown. Press X and the game will be on your console in no time.

If you have a compatible storage device, you can place games on it and then access them from your PlayStation 5 console. You can also connect your systems together by wi-fi or by LAN cable. To do this, sign in to your account on both consoles and choose to transfer your PS4 data on your Playstation 5.

If a game is showing up on your PlayStation 4 as bought, but the is wants you to purchase it on your PlayStation 5, double-check to make sure there isn’t a PlayStation 5 version of the game that you have landed on. If you are on the correct page, try accessing the store again, there are some situations where a license has the potential not to show up, but if you talk to Sony support, they will be able to have the game unlocked for you.

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How to Download PlayStation 4 Saves on Your PlayStation 5

You likely don’t want to start a game all the way over from the start, so you will want to download your saves. To do this, go to PlayStation Plus and access your cloud storage. Here you will be able to view your saved data. Simply go to the game you want and press X to bring up the menu and initiate the download.

In most cases, saves upload to the cloud automatically, but you can auto-upload a save by going to your settings and choosing data management. From there, just hit auto-upload to get things moving. If the digital method isn’t working, then you can use a compatible storage device to store your PlayStation 4 saved data and use it on your PlayStation 5.

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For more on the PlayStation 5, check out:

PS5: How Do I See What’s Downloading? | PS5: How To Use Keyboard & Mouse | Compatibility Guide | Silent Hill is “Most Likely” PS5 Exclusive | PS5: How To Share Screenshots & Clips | Capture Guide | Hideo Kojima Reportedly Working On A PlayStation 5 Game