Transfer PS5 Games & Saves to New Console

Moving to a new PlayStation console doesn’t mean losing your digital games or save progress. This guide walks you through the two main methodsâ€”using the cloud or a direct system transferâ€”so you can pick the one that fits your situation. You’ll need your old console, your new console, a stable internet connection, and your PlayStation Network (PSN) account details.

What You’ll Need

Your old PlayStation console (PS4 or PS5)
Your new PlayStation console (PS5 or PS5 Pro)
Both consoles connected to the same network (for system transfer)
Your PSN account login information
A stable internet connection (for cloud saves and game downloads)
PlayStation Plus membership (required for cloud save storage on PS4/PS5)

Step-by-Step

Method 1: System Transfer (PS5 to PS5)

Turn on both consoles and make sure they are connected to the same Wi-Fi network.
On your new PS5, go to Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer.
Select Continue and then choose Start Transfer.
Your new console will search for the old console. When it appears, select it.
On the old console, you’ll see a prompt to confirm the transfer. Press OK.
You can now choose what to transfer: games, saved data, settings, and even your profile. Select the items you want and start the transfer.
Wait for the transfer to complete. The time depends on the amount of data and your network speed. Do not turn off either console during this process.

Method 2: Cloud Saves and Re-download (Works for PS4 to PS5)

On your old console, ensure your game saves are uploaded to the cloud. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Upload to Online Storage. Select the games you want to upload and confirm.
If you’re moving from a PS4, you can also use a USB drive. Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Drive.
On your new console, sign in with the same PSN account you used on the old console.
Go to your game library and re-download the digital games you own. They will appear under Purchased.
After installing a game, go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage > Download to Console Storage and select the save files for that game.
If you used a USB drive, plug it into the new console and copy the saves from the drive to system storage.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting to upload saves before selling/trading the old console: Once you wipe the old system, cloud saves are your only backup. Always upload before you let go of the hardware.
Not signing into the same PSN account: Digital licenses are tied to your account. If you sign in with a different account, you won’t see your games.
Interrupting the system transfer: Pulling the plug or turning off a console mid-transfer can corrupt data. Let it finish.
Assuming PS4 saves auto-upload to PS5: Some games do support auto-upload via cloud, but not all. Manually upload before moving.
Ignoring storage space: Your new console may not have enough space for all your games. Delete what you don’t need or use an external drive.

Tips

Use a wired Ethernet connection for both consoles during a system transferâ€”it’s faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.
If you have a large library, prioritize transferring saves and settings first, then re-download games later in the background.
On PS5, you can set up automatic cloud saves by going to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Sync Saved Data and enabling it.
Check if your games offer cross-save progression (e.g., some multiplayer games) so you don’t need to transfer saves at all.
After transfer, verify a few saves load correctly before wiping the old console.

Troubleshooting

System transfer not finding the old console: Make sure both consoles are on the same network and have the latest system software. Restart both consoles and try again.
Cloud saves not appearing: Confirm you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription and that the games you’re looking for have cloud save support. Some older PS4 games do not support cloud saves.
Games not showing in library: Go to Game Library > Your Collection and filter by â€œPurchased.â€� If still missing, restore licenses via Settings > Users and Accounts > Other > Restore Licenses.
Transfer fails mid-way: This often happens with weak Wi-Fi. Use Ethernet cables or try again after closing other network-heavy apps.
Save data says â€œcorruptedâ€� after transfer: This is rare but can happen. Try re-uploading from the old console if you still have it, or use a backup from the cloud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer games from PS4 to PS5?

Yes. You can re-download digital PS4 games on your PS5, and your saves can be transferred via cloud or USB. Many PS4 games also get performance boosts on PS5.

Do I need PlayStation Plus to transfer save data?

For cloud saves, yesâ€”PlayStation Plus is required. However, you can transfer saves locally using a USB drive or the system transfer feature without a subscription.

Will my game progress carry over automatically?

Not always. Some games support auto-upload via cloud, but many require you to manually upload saves. Always check before switching consoles.

Can I transfer data from a PS5 to another PS5?

Yes, using the system transfer feature over the same network. You can transfer games, saves, settings, and your profile.

What happens to my digital games if I sell my old console?

Your digital games remain tied to your PSN account, so you can re-download them on any new console you sign into. Just make sure to deactivate the old console as your primary device if you want others to access your games.

How long does a system transfer take?

It depends on the amount of data and your network speed. A typical transfer with a few hundred GB can take anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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