Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesTo protect PS5 game saves, use PlayStation Plus cloud storage or make a full PS5 console backup to a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive. To reinstall a purchased game, download it separately from Game Library—reinstalling the game does not restore its save. Be especially careful with a full USB restore: it erases data currently saved on the console.
Choose the right kind of backup
| What you need | Use this method | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Sync or transfer PS5 saves | PlayStation Plus cloud storage | PS5 saved data; automatic sync and manual upload or download are available to members. PlayStation Plus cloud storage for PS5 consoles |
| Copy PS4 saves onto USB | Ordinary FAT- or exFAT-formatted USB drive | PS4 saved data only—not PS5 saves. Do not use a USB drive formatted as extended storage. PS5 console storage guide |
| Back up broader console data | Full PS5 USB backup | Selected categories of console user data, including saved data, games and apps, captures, and settings. Trophies and games/apps on USB extended storage or M.2 SSD are excluded. PS5 backup and restore guide |
| Download a deleted purchased game | Game Library | The game or application installation; saves must be handled separately. PS5 console storage guide |
Back up PS5 saves to PlayStation Plus cloud storage
Sony’s documented cloud-save workflow requires PlayStation Plus. Automatic sync can upload or sync a PS5 save when you close a game or the console enters Rest Mode, provided the console has an internet connection and the relevant automatic-update and Rest Mode settings allow it.
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Turn on automatic sync for PS5 saves
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Sync Saved Data.
- Choose Auto-Sync Saved Data and enable it for the games you want to sync.
- Make sure the console can connect to the internet and that automatic updates and internet connectivity in Rest Mode are configured if you expect syncing while the console is in Rest Mode.
Menu wording can vary with system software and localization. Sony’s cloud-storage instructions also explain how to upload or download a save manually.
Upload or download one save manually
- On Games home, highlight the game and press the controller’s Options button.
- Choose Upload/Download Saved Data.
- Select whether to upload the console save to cloud storage or download a cloud save to the console, then follow the on-screen prompts.
You can also open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings and use the upload or download controls under the relevant PS5 saved-data options. Check which copy is newer before downloading if you want to avoid replacing a more recent local save.
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Copy PS4 game saves to a USB drive
Sony documents a separate USB-copy option for PS4 saved data. This applies to PS4 saves, not PS5 saves. Use an ordinary FAT- or exFAT-formatted USB drive; a drive formatted as USB extended storage for games is not the same thing.
- Connect the USB drive to the PS5.
- Go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > Upload or Delete from Console Storage > Copy to USB Drive.
- Select a game, choose the save files to copy, then select Copy.
To copy a PS4 save back from USB, use the corresponding Copy or Delete from USB Drive option in the PS4 saved-data settings. See Sony’s storage guide for the documented options.
Make a full PS5 console backup on USB
A full console backup is broader than a save-only cloud sync, but it is not a guarantee that every item is protected. Sony says it can include saved data, games and apps, screenshots and video clips, and settings selected during backup. It excludes trophies and games or apps stored on USB extended storage or an M.2 SSD.
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- 【Eliminate PS5(R) Storage Shortages】You can expand the free space on your system by saving PS5(R) game data and PS4(R) game titles onto this product.
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- 【Accessories】 Setup Guide / Warranty Statement
- Connect a USB storage drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Sony warns that not all drives work.
- Open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5.
- Select the data categories to include, choose Next, then select Back Up.
- Wait for the completion message before disconnecting the drive or powering off the console.
Do not use a USB extended-storage drive for this backup. Extended storage for game data uses a different format and cannot store the full-console backup. Also, PS5 games stored on USB extended storage must be moved back to console or M.2 SSD storage to play. Sony’s backup instructions warn that interrupting a backup or restore by turning off the console may cause data loss, corruption, or damage.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Restore a full backup only when you mean to replace console data
Restoring a full backup erases data currently saved on the PS5, and that erased data cannot be recovered. Before proceeding, keep anything you still need backed up separately. If restoring onto another console, use the same PlayStation account associated with the backup. The current system software must be the same version as or newer than the version installed when the backup was made.
- Update the PS5 system software if needed.
- Connect the USB drive containing the backup.
- Go to Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Restore Your PS5.
- Choose the backup and data to restore, then confirm Restore. Do not turn off the console until the process finishes.
Sony also notes that restoring disables Console Sharing and Offline Play; enable that setting again if you want to use it. See the official backup and restore guide for details.
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Reinstall a purchased game from Game Library
Deleting a game or application from console storage does not remove access to the purchase. Sony says purchases can be downloaded again from Game Library. This reinstalls game data; it does not itself restore a saved game.
- Open Game Library on the PS5.
- Find the purchased game you want to reinstall.
- Select the game and choose the download option shown on screen.
- After installation, use the appropriate saved-data method above to sync or download its save, if needed.
For the storage and download details, see Sony’s PS5 storage guide.
Do not confuse reinstalling a game with reinstalling PS5 system software
Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) is a Safe Mode recovery option, not the way to redownload a game. Sony says it deletes all user data and removes PS5 system software. Back up anything you need before using it. The Safe Mode guide describes this operation.
Quick Recap
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