Transfer PS4 Disc Games to PS5: Full Guide

Moving your PlayStation disc game collection to a new console doesn’t mean losing your saves or having to reinstall everything from scratch. This guide walks you through the two main paths—using an external drive or a direct data transfer—so you can keep playing without re-downloading or re-inserting discs. You’ll need your old console, your new console, and either a compatible external storage device or a network connection.

What You’ll Need

Your old PlayStation console (PS4 or PS5) with the disc games installed.
Your new PlayStation console (PS5 or PS4) with the latest system software.
An external USB drive (USB 3.0 or later) with at least as much free space as the games you want to move. For PS5 games, the drive must meet the console’s speed requirements.
A stable internet connection if you plan to transfer data wirelessly or sync saves via cloud.
Your PlayStation Network (PSN) account credentials.

Step-by-Step

Option A: Using an External USB Drive (Recommended)

Prepare the external drive. Connect it to your old console. If prompted, format it as extended storage (this erases everything on the drive, so back up any other files first).
Move your disc games to the drive. Go to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage. Select “Move Games and Apps,” choose the disc games you want to transfer, and confirm. The games will be copied to the drive, but they remain tied to your PSN account.
Disconnect the drive safely. Use the “Stop Using Extended Storage” option in the quick menu before unplugging.
Connect the drive to your new console. Plug it in and sign in with the same PSN account that owns the games.
Install the games. Go to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage, select the games, and choose “Move to Console Storage” or “Copy.” You’ll need to insert the disc for each game to verify ownership—this is required every time you start a disc-based game, even if it’s installed.

Option B: Direct Data Transfer (PS4 to PS5 or PS4 to PS4)

Make sure both consoles are on the same network. Connect both to the same Wi-Fi or use an Ethernet cable for faster speeds.
On your new console, start the transfer. Go to Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer. Follow the on-screen prompts.
Select what to transfer. You can choose games, saved data, and settings. The transfer will copy everything you select, including disc game installs.
Wait for the transfer to finish. This can take a while depending on the amount of data and your network speed. Keep both consoles powered on and connected.
Verify the games on your new console. After the transfer, the games will appear in your library. You’ll still need the disc to play them.

Option C: Reinstalling from Disc (If You Don’t Have the External Drive)

Insert the disc into your new console. The console will begin installing the game from the disc. This is the slowest method but requires no extra hardware.
Download the latest updates. While the disc installs, the console will also download any patches. This requires an internet connection.
Repeat for each game. You’ll need to insert each disc and go through the installation process individually.

Common Mistakes

Forgetting the disc is required. Even after transferring, you must have the physical disc inserted to start the game. Digital licenses don’t apply to disc copies.
Using a drive that’s too slow. For PS5 games, the external drive must support USB 3.0 or later and have sufficient speed; otherwise, the console won’t allow you to play directly from it—you’ll need to move games to internal storage.
Not formatting the drive correctly. If the drive isn’t formatted as extended storage, the console won’t recognize it for game transfers.
Transferring with the wrong PSN account. Games are tied to the account that purchased them. If you sign in with a different account on the new console, the games won’t appear as owned.
Unplugging the drive during transfer. This can corrupt data. Always use the “Stop Using Extended Storage” option first.

Tips

Update both consoles before transferring. Ensure both are running the latest system software to avoid compatibility issues.
Use a wired connection for direct transfer. Ethernet is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi for moving large game files.
Transfer saved data separately if needed. If you only want your game saves, you can upload them to the cloud (requires PS Plus) or copy them to a USB drive via Settings > Application Saved Data Management.
Keep the external drive for extra storage. You can leave games on the drive and play them directly (on PS4, or on PS5 only if the drive is fast enough and the game is a PS4 title).
Label your discs. If you’re moving a large collection, it helps to keep track of which discs you’ve already installed.

Troubleshooting

Game not appearing on the new console after transfer. Make sure you’re signed in with the same PSN account. If the game still doesn’t show, restart the console and check your game library under “Purchased.”
External drive not recognized. Try a different USB port, ensure the drive is formatted as extended storage, and check that it meets the minimum speed requirements. Some drives need external power; use the AC adapter if included.
Transfer keeps failing or is very slow. Disable any VPN or firewall that might interfere. For direct transfer, try using an Ethernet cable. If using Wi-Fi, move the consoles closer to the router.
Game says “Insert Disc” but the disc is already in. Eject the disc, clean it, and reinsert. If the issue persists, restart the console and try again.
Cannot move PS5 games to external drive. PS5 games can only be moved to external storage if the drive is USB 3.0 or later and has at least 250 GB. Even then, you can’t play them directly from the drive; you must copy them back to internal storage to play.
Saved data not transferring. If you used the external drive method, saved data is not included—you must transfer it separately via cloud or USB. For direct transfer, make sure you selected “Saved Data” in the options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to keep the disc after transferring?

Yes. Disc games require the disc to be inserted every time you play, even if the game is installed on the console’s storage.

Can I transfer my disc games to a PS5 without the discs?

No. You must have the physical disc to install and play the game. The transfer only moves the installation files, not the license.

Will my game saves transfer automatically?

Not necessarily. With the external drive method, saves are not included. You need to transfer them separately via cloud (PS Plus) or USB. The direct transfer method can include saves if you select them.

Can I play PS4 disc games on PS5 from an external drive?

Yes, if the drive is USB 3.0 or later and the game is a PS4 title, you can play directly from the external drive on PS5.

What happens if I sell my old console after transferring?

Nothing happens to your games on the new console. However, you should deactivate the old console as your primary PS4/PS5 to avoid issues with game sharing.

Is there a limit to how many times I can transfer?

No, you can transfer as many times as you like, but each game is tied to your PSN account, so you can’t share them with another account.

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

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