Recommended Free Tools
Back up your PS5 before you reset, repair, replace storage, or otherwise modify it. The safest approach is to make a complete USB console backup and, if you have PlayStation Plus, confirm that your recent saves have synchronized to cloud storage as a second recovery path. These are different features: a USB console backup can contain several categories of console data, while PlayStation Plus cloud storage is for saved data.
Do not rely on a USB game-transfer operation to copy individual PS5 save files. Sony documents that limitation for its transfer process separately from the full-console backup feature. Use Sony’s PS5 console-backup procedure for a USB backup, and verify cloud synchronization through the PlayStation Plus cloud-storage controls.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Decide what kind of protection you need
There are two useful ways to protect PS5 progress before a modification:
- USB console backup: a local backup that can include saved data, games and apps, screenshots and video clips, and settings that are stored on the PS5. You choose the categories during the backup.
- PlayStation Plus cloud storage: an online saved-data service for eligible members. It is convenient for restoring a save, but it is not a complete image of your console and does not replace a USB console backup.
If the planned work could erase or destabilize the console, make the USB backup first. Then check that your important games have completed a cloud upload if you subscribe to PlayStation Plus. Having both paths means a failed local drive or an incomplete upload is less likely to leave you without a current save.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Prepare the PS5 and USB drive
Use a compatible file system
Sony lists USB drives formatted as FAT32 or exFAT for PS5 console backups. Device compatibility still varies, and Sony does not publish a guaranteed make, model, or minimum capacity in the backup instructions. Use a drive with enough free space for the categories you select, but do not treat any particular capacity or brand as officially required.
A USB drive configured as PS5 USB extended storage is a different storage arrangement. Games and apps kept there are not included in the console backup, and a drive in that extended-storage format cannot be used for the backup in that same format. If the only drive you have is currently extended storage, do not begin by assuming the PS5 can use it for both jobs; changing its format can erase the content on it.
Finish activity before starting
- Close games and let downloads, installations, and updates finish where possible.
- Make sure the console is connected to stable power. A backup that is interrupted can result in data loss or corruption and can damage the console or USB drive.
- If more than one USB drive is connected, identify which one you intend to use before opening the backup menu.
- Update trophy status from the games you have played. Trophies are not included in the USB backup, and Sony advises updating game status before backing up.
- Keep the PS5 awake until the completion screen appears. Sony’s warning is explicit: “Don’t turn off your PS5® console while backing up or restoring data.”
Make a full USB console backup
These are the documented menu steps in Sony’s “How to back up and restore PS5 console data” guide.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Connect the FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive directly to the PS5.
- Open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5.
- If the console detects more than one eligible USB drive, select the drive you intend to hold the backup.
- Select the categories to include. The available categories are games and apps, saved data, screenshots and video clips, and settings.
- Select Next. Add a description if you want to identify this backup later, then select Back Up.
- The PS5 restarts and performs the backup. Do not disconnect the drive, press the power button, or remove power while the process is running.
- Wait for the completion screen and follow the on-screen prompt to return to the home screen. Only then is it safe to disconnect the drive.
The backup is a console-level package rather than a folder from which you can browse and copy one PS5 save at a time. Treat the USB drive as recovery media: keep it safely stored and do not alter its backup folders on a computer.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Know exactly what the USB backup contains
Sony says the backup categories cover the user data saved on the PS5, but there are important boundaries. Use this checklist before you modify the console.
| Data or location | Included in a PS5 console backup? | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 saved data on the console | Yes, when the saved-data category is selected | Select saved data and complete the backup. |
| Games and apps installed on the PS5’s internal storage | Yes, when games and apps are selected | Select the category if you want those installations represented in the backup. |
| Screenshots and video clips on the PS5 | Yes, when that category is selected | Include it if your captures matter; it can increase the backup size. |
| PS5 settings | Yes, when settings are selected | Include settings to preserve the configuration covered by Sony’s backup feature. |
| Games and apps stored on USB extended storage | No | Plan to reinstall or manage that content separately. |
| Games and apps stored on an M.2 SSD | No | Do not assume the console backup contains this installed content. |
| Trophies | No | Synchronize or update trophy status before the backup. |
The exclusion of extended-storage and M.2 content does not mean the save associated with a game is excluded when that save is on the PS5 itself; it means the installed game or app files in those separate storage locations are not part of the console-backup package. Check where your content lives before you start a modification.
Confirm a PlayStation Plus cloud copy
PlayStation Plus membership is required for cloud storage. Cloud storage is a saved-data route, not a full-console image: Sony does not describe it as a place for your screenshots, settings, trophies, or every category of user data. Use it as a second save-data safeguard, not as a substitute for the USB backup when you are changing the console.
Automatic upload conditions
PS5 saves can upload automatically when you close a game or when the console enters rest mode, provided automatic updates are enabled and the relevant rest-mode internet setting allows the console to remain connected. If either condition is disabled, a session may not have uploaded even though the game was closed normally. Check synchronization rather than assuming the latest play session is online.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Check or upload manually
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5).
- Use the upload controls to choose the PS5 saves you want to send to cloud storage, or open the download controls to inspect what is already stored online.
- Wait for the upload to finish before you begin the console modification. If the menu shows a timestamp or status, compare it with the time of your last session.
Manual controls are especially important before a reset because a newer local save can otherwise be replaced by an older cloud copy during recovery. If you play PS4 games on the PS5, use the corresponding PS4 saved-data controls; PS4 and PS5 saves have separate cloud allowances and management entries.
Current listed cloud limits
The PlayStation Plus support page currently lists these service limits. Sony Interactive Entertainment does not state a publication year for the figures on the reviewed page, so verify the limits in your region before relying on them for a large collection.
| Cloud item | Listed limit | Qualification |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 saved data | 100 GB | Current limit listed by Sony; publication year is not stated on the support page. |
| PS4 saved data | 100 GB | Current limit listed by Sony; publication year is not stated on the support page. |
| PS4 saved-data files | 1,000 files | Current limit listed by Sony; applies to PS4 saved-data files, not a stated PS5-file limit. |
If cloud storage is full or a particular save is missing, rely on the completed USB backup and resolve the cloud issue before deleting local data. Do not call a save protected merely because a PlayStation Plus subscription is active; the upload itself must have completed.
USB backup versus cloud storage
The two methods solve different recovery problems.
| Question | USB console backup | PlayStation Plus cloud storage |
|---|---|---|
| What it covers | Selected console categories: saved data, games and apps, captures, and settings, subject to the storage exclusions above. | Saved data stored online; not a full console image. |
| What you need | A compatible USB drive formatted FAT32 or exFAT. | An active PlayStation Plus membership and an internet connection. |
| How recovery works | Use the PS5’s Restore Your PS5 function and select the backup. | Upload or download saved data through Saved Data and Game/App Settings. |
| How to confirm it is ready | Wait for the USB backup completion screen. | Check the save’s upload status or timestamp after a manual or automatic sync. |
| Best use before modification | Primary protection when the console may be reset, repaired, or replaced. | Convenient second copy for recent saves and access on a compatible console. |
Neither option should be treated as a guaranteed replacement for the other. A USB backup is local and broader, while cloud storage is remote and focused on saved data.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Verify your protection before changing the console
Use a simple pre-modification checklist
- The USB drive appears in Back Up and Restore, and you selected the intended drive.
- The backup completed and displayed its completion screen.
- Saved data was one of the selected categories.
- You know whether your games and apps are on internal storage, USB extended storage, or an M.2 SSD.
- Trophy status was updated before the backup.
- Your most important PS5 saves show a completed cloud upload if you use PlayStation Plus.
- The USB drive is labeled and stored somewhere it will not be reformatted or lost during the modification.
Do not test the backup by deleting the console or restoring it before the modification. A successful completion screen confirms that the backup operation finished; it does not make a destructive restore safe to use as a casual way to retrieve one file.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Restore a PS5 from the USB backup
Restore is a whole-console operation. Sony warns that restoring erases data currently saved on the PS5, and erased data cannot be restored. Use it when you intentionally want the backed-up state, not as a routine method for opening a single save.
System software requirement
The PS5’s current system software must be the same version as, or newer than, the version installed when the backup was made. Sony states this requirement in its backup guide. Update the console first if it is running an older version; otherwise the restore may not be accepted.
Restore steps
- Connect the USB drive containing the backup to the PS5.
- Open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Restore Your PS5.
- Choose the drive and backup data shown by the console.
- Review the warning that current console data will be erased, then confirm only if that is the intended outcome.
- Leave the console powered and connected until the restore finishes. Do not turn off the PS5 or remove the USB drive during the process.
Account and console-sharing effects
Backup data is linked to the PlayStation account. If you have never signed in to PlayStation services, Sony says the backup can be restored only to the same console. A restore also disables Console Sharing and Offline Play; re-enable that setting afterward if you need those functions on the console.
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
These account rules matter when a repair or replacement results in a different physical PS5. A USB backup is not an unrestricted way to move every user’s data to any console, and cloud saves still require the appropriate account and service access.
Why the USB-transfer wording can be confusing
Sony’s PS4 and PS5 data-transfer guide says PS5 saved data cannot be copied from a PS5 console to a USB drive using the transfer method described there. That statement concerns individual save copying through the transfer path. It does not cancel the separate full-console backup feature documented in Sony’s backup guide, which includes saved data as a selectable category. Do not generalize the USB save-transfer instructions for PS4 games to PS5 game saves.
Troubleshoot before you modify anything
The drive does not appear
- Confirm that the drive is connected directly to the PS5 and is formatted FAT32 or exFAT.
- Disconnect other USB drives so the intended device is unambiguous.
- If the drive is configured as USB extended storage, it is not in the format used for a console backup. Move any needed game data elsewhere before changing its format.
- Try another compatible USB device if the console still does not recognize it. Sony cautions that not every device works and does not endorse a specific model.
The backup stops or the console loses power
Do not assume a partial operation is usable. Restart the process only after the PS5 is stable, the drive is connected securely, and there is adequate free space for the selected categories. A backup interrupted by shutdown can cause data loss or corruption or damage the console or drive, so wait for a new completion screen.
Crashes, No Sound, or Screen Glitches?
Random freezes, missing sound and display glitches usually trace back to one bad driver. Find and replace yours safely.Free scan · under a minutePC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11A recent cloud save is missing
- Check the save through Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) instead of relying on the subscription status alone.
- Close the game and perform a manual upload, then wait for it to finish.
- Confirm that automatic updates and the rest-mode internet connection setting are enabled if you expect automatic uploads.
- Use the USB backup as the authoritative local copy if the cloud timestamp is older than your last session.
You need one save, not a full restore
Do not select Restore Your PS5 merely to retrieve one save: the operation erases current console data. Use the cloud upload/download controls for saved-data recovery when the desired save is available there. If it exists only in the USB console backup, plan for the whole-console restore and preserve any newer data first.
A safe order of operations
- Finish the game session and update trophy status.
- Prepare a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive that is not being used as PS5 extended storage.
- Run Back Up Your PS5 and wait for the completion screen.
- If you have PlayStation Plus, manually upload important PS5 saves and verify their status or timestamp.
- Record which games and apps are on internal storage, USB extended storage, and an M.2 SSD, because the latter two installed-content locations are outside the console backup.
- Only after those checks, reset, repair, replace storage, or otherwise modify the console.
- If recovery is necessary, compare the system software version, protect any newer data, and use Restore Your PS5 only when replacing the console’s current state is intentional.
This sequence gives you a completed local console backup, a separately verified online save where available, and a clear record of what each recovery method can and cannot bring back.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
