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Freedom251 › Blog › Console setup

How to Set Up a PS5 Digital Edition and Transfer Your Games and Data

By Freedom251 Team · · 14 min read

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Set up a PS5 Digital Edition by attaching the correct base or feet, connecting HDMI and power, joining the internet, installing any available system software update, and signing in to PlayStation. You can transfer games, saves, screenshots, account information, and some settings from a PS4 or another PS5 during first-run setup or later at Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer.

The Digital Edition has no disc drive, so PS4 game discs cannot be used. Digital purchases are restored from your Game Library, while supported PS4 saves can also be copied by USB or downloaded from PlayStation Plus cloud storage.

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What you need before turning on the console

Have these items ready before starting:

  • The PS5 Digital Edition and its supplied power and HDMI cables.
  • A compatible display with an available HDMI input.
  • A DualSense controller and, if prompted, its USB connection for initial pairing or charging.
  • A PlayStation account, or the information needed to create one.
  • Your home Wi-Fi details, or an Ethernet connection.
  • Your old PS4 or PS5 if you plan to use console-to-console transfer.
  • Optional: a compatible SuperSpeed USB extended-storage drive for game storage or supported PS4 save copies. It is not required for setup or network transfer.

Keep the old console available until you have confirmed that the important saves and games are present on the new one. The transfer process is designed for one PS4 or PS5 source console to one PS5 destination console, rather than a multi-console merge.

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Set up the PS5 Digital Edition step by step

1. Identify the model and attach its base or feet

Check the model number before mounting the console. Sony uses different base or foot instructions for different PS5 model groups, so follow the procedure for your exact hardware in the official PS5 setup guide. Do not assume that the mounting method for another PS5 revision is identical. Complete this step before arranging the console in its final horizontal or vertical position.

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2. Connect HDMI and power

Connect the supplied HDMI cable from the PS5 to an available HDMI input on the display, then connect the supplied power cable. Select that HDMI input on the television or monitor and switch on both the display and console. If the screen is blank, recheck the selected input and both cable connections before continuing with account or transfer troubleshooting.

3. Complete the initial display and controller prompts

Follow the on-screen instructions to pair the DualSense controller, select language and region settings, and configure the display. Keep the controller connected by USB if the console asks for pairing or charging during first setup. Finish these prompts on the destination PS5 before attempting to identify a source console.

4. Connect to the internet

Choose your Wi-Fi network and enter its password, or connect an Ethernet cable. Internet access is needed for system updates, account sign-in, downloading digital purchases, cloud saves, and online play. If you are transferring from another console, connect both consoles to the same network before starting the transfer. Wi-Fi is supported; wired networking is an optional way to improve transfer speed.

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5. Install system software updates

Install any update offered during setup. To check later, open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings. Sony’s setup instructions say the console prompts you to connect to PlayStation after the software is current. Updating the destination first and the source before a transfer helps the consoles meet the documented transfer requirements.

6. Sign in to PlayStation

Sign in with an existing account or create a new one. If the PlayStation App is already installed and configured on your phone, Sony provides a phone-based sign-in option during setup. Use the same account that owns your digital games. For console transfer, the same account must be signed in on the source and destination; otherwise purchases, users, or saves may not be available in the expected place.

7. Decide whether to transfer now

The first-run setup flow offers data transfer. You can accept it immediately or finish setup and start later through Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer. Deferring the transfer does not prevent you from downloading digital purchases from your Game Library, and it can be useful if you first want to update the source or organize your network.

Prepare a PS4 or PS5 for console-to-console transfer

Before opening the transfer menu, complete every item in this checklist:

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  • Sign in to the same PlayStation account on the source and destination consoles.
  • Update the source console’s system software.
  • Synchronize your trophies on the source console.
  • Connect both consoles to the same network. Wi-Fi works.
  • Keep both consoles powered on and nearby while the transfer runs.

A LAN cable can make the transfer faster when both consoles would otherwise use Wi-Fi. If both consoles are already connected to the network by Ethernet, Sony says you do not need an additional direct cable between the consoles. A new storage drive is not a prerequisite: network transfer works without one.

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Decide which console is the source and which is the destination before beginning. The destination is the new PS5 Digital Edition; the source is one PS4 or one other PS5. Data already on the destination is not transferred over or merged by this process, so check the new console before starting if it already contains anything you want to keep.

Transfer during the PS5’s initial setup

At the data-transfer stage, follow the prompts to select the source PS4 or PS5 and the information to copy. The source must be switched on, updated, signed in to the matching account, and connected to the same network. Review the categories offered on screen and allow the PS5 to begin copying.

Leave the consoles alone after the transfer begins. Keep both powered on, and do not unplug their network or power connections. The destination PS5 may restart, and some game data can continue copying after the restart. A restart is therefore not, by itself, evidence that the process failed. Use the destination’s Control Center and open Downloads/Uploads to see whether remaining game data is still progressing.

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Transfer after setup is complete

  1. Turn on the source PS4 or PS5 and leave it connected to the same network as the destination.
  2. On the destination PS5, open Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer.
  3. Select Continue, choose the detected source console, and follow the prompts.
  4. Wait for the copy to finish. Progress is shown under Downloads/Uploads in Control Center.

The detailed procedure and supported data categories are documented in Sony’s PS4 and PS5 data-transfer guide. The later flow is more limited for a PS4 source: it transfers the signed-in user’s supported PS4 saved data, while Sony does not list PS4 user/account information or console settings as transferable after initial setup. If you need those categories from a PS4, use the transfer option during the initial setup flow.

What not to do while the transfer is running

  • Do not turn off either console.
  • Do not change network settings.
  • Do not run an internet connection test.
  • Do not unplug the network or power cables.

Sony warns that changing network settings or running connection tests during the transfer can cause data damage or loss. Avoid launching unrelated setup actions until the copy has completed. If the destination restarts, check Downloads/Uploads rather than interrupting it. Data that is already stored on the destination PS5 is not transferred over or merged by this process.

What transfers from each source

Source Transferable information Important limitation
Another PS5 User and account information, saved data for games playable on PS5, screenshots, video clips, games playable on PS5, and certain console settings. Both consoles must be available and connected to the same network for console transfer.
PS4 during initial PS5 setup User and account information, supported saved data, games playable on PS5, and certain settings. The PS4 source must be available during setup.
PS4 after initial setup The signed-in user’s supported PS4 saved data. Sony’s later-transfer flow does not list PS4 user/account information or console settings as transferable after initial setup.

From another PS5, the documented categories include screenshots and video clips in addition to users, saves, games, and certain settings. From a PS4, the set is narrower, particularly when the transfer is started after first-run setup. If a category matters to you, choose the route and timing that explicitly supports it instead of assuming that a game copy also carries every account or setting.

Compatibility is game-specific. A PS4 title may run on PS5 with differences in features or behavior, and some PS4 games are not playable on PS5. Check the individual title against Sony’s backward-compatibility list before relying on a transfer alone.

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Restore digital games and add-ons

Digital purchases are tied to your PlayStation account rather than the old console’s internal drive. On the new PS5, open Game Library, select the purchased title, and choose Download. Repeat this for games or add-ons that were not copied through console transfer or that you prefer to download afresh. This route does not require the old console once you can sign in to the purchasing account and reach the internet.

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Download availability depends on the account that purchased the item. If a title is missing, first verify that the destination is signed in to the purchasing account, then check the Game Library and the game’s compatibility with PS5. A library download restores the game entitlement and files; it is not a substitute for transferring a save. Use console transfer, USB copying from PS4, or cloud storage for saves according to the platform and method available.

Move games and saves without a full console transfer

PS4 game data on USB extended storage

A compatible SuperSpeed USB extended-storage drive can hold PS4 and PS5 games. PS4 games stored on the drive can be played directly from USB on the PS5. PS5 games stored there must be moved back to the PS5’s internal storage before they can be played. This makes an existing compatible drive useful for carrying a library, but it does not make PS5 titles playable directly from USB.

Connect the drive to the new console and follow the storage prompts. Confirm a specific drive’s compatibility before relying on it. A USB drive is optional: it does not replace the initial setup, account sign-in, or system update, and it is not needed when you can download games or use network transfer. It is best treated as a storage and movement option, not as the universal backup method for every type of data.

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Copy supported PS4 saves to USB

PS4 saved data can be copied to a USB drive on the PS4 and then copied to the destination PS5. This is useful when the old console is available but a full console-to-console transfer is impractical, or when you want a separate route for supported PS4 saves. Only supported PS4 save data follows this route; it is not the documented method for PS5 saves.

Use PlayStation Plus cloud storage

PlayStation Plus members can upload saved data from the old console and download it from cloud storage on the PS5. This method requires the subscription and an internet connection, but it does not require both consoles to be online at the same time once the saves have been uploaded. It is therefore useful when the consoles are in different places or when a network transfer is not convenient. Cloud storage is a save-data route, not a way to move the full game installation.

Important PS5-save restriction

Sony says PS5 saved data cannot be copied from a PS5 console to a USB drive. Use console-to-console transfer or PlayStation Plus cloud storage for PS5 saves instead. Do not buy an external drive assuming it can serve as a general PS5-save backup.

Transfer-route comparison

Route Games Saves Source console required? Network or subscription requirement Play condition
PS4/PS5 console-to-console transfer Supported games playable on PS5 Supported PS4 saves and PS5 saves, according to source and setup stage Yes Both consoles on the same network; LAN can improve speed over Wi-Fi Copied games install or finish copying on the destination; monitor Downloads/Uploads.
Game Library download Digital purchases and available add-ons Not a save-transfer method No, after account sign-in Internet connection; purchasing account required Download the title to the PS5’s internal storage before playing.
USB extended storage PS4 and PS5 game files Not a general PS5-save backup method No, if the drive already contains the games Compatible SuperSpeed USB drive PS4 games can run from USB; PS5 games must return to internal storage.
USB copy from PS4 Not the primary game-transfer route Supported PS4 saves PS4 needed to create the copy USB drive Copy the saves from USB to the PS5.
PlayStation Plus cloud storage Not a game-file transfer route Saved data supported by cloud storage No, once saves are uploaded PlayStation Plus and internet access Download the saves to the PS5 before launching the game.

Choose based on what you are moving. Console transfer carries the broadest mix when both consoles are present. Game Library downloads are simplest for digital purchases but do not bring saves. USB extended storage is convenient for game files, with the important PS5 internal-storage requirement. USB copying is specifically useful for supported PS4 saves, while cloud storage trades a PlayStation Plus requirement for the ability to retrieve saves without keeping both consoles connected at once.

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Understand the Digital Edition’s disc limitation

The PS5 Digital Edition cannot read PS4 game discs because it has no disc drive. A PS4 disc does not create a digital entitlement that can be downloaded automatically. To play a disc-owned game on this console, you need a digital version associated with your account, if one is available, and the title must be compatible with PS5. A transferred game list cannot turn an unsupported disc into a downloadable purchase.

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For digital PS4 games, confirm the title’s individual compatibility. Some titles are not playable on PS5, and compatible games can have functionality differences. Sony’s official quick-start documentation for the Digital Edition is available in its regional PS5 Digital Edition guide.

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Troubleshoot common transfer problems

The source console does not appear

  • Confirm both consoles are switched on and connected to the same Wi-Fi or wired network.
  • Check that the source system software is up to date.
  • Verify that the same PlayStation account is signed in on both systems.
  • Make sure you selected the correct destination menu: Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer.
  • Restart both consoles and reopen the transfer menu on the destination.

The transfer is unexpectedly slow

Large game installations can take substantial time. If both consoles are using Wi-Fi, connect them to the network with LAN cables where practical; Sony identifies this as a way to make transfer faster. If both are already wired to the network, no extra direct console-to-console cable is needed. Do not interrupt the process to run a connection test or alter network settings.

The PS5 restarted but copying is still happening

This can be normal. Sony says the destination may restart during transfer and that some game data can continue copying afterward. Open Control Center and check Downloads/Uploads before assuming the transfer failed. Keep both consoles powered on until the progress has stopped.

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A game is missing from the library

Check that the PS5 uses the account that purchased the game. Look in Game Library and download the title manually. If it still does not appear, check whether the game is supported on PS5 and whether the purchase belongs to another account. A disc-only PS4 purchase cannot be restored as a digital download on the Digital Edition.

A save is missing

Use the route that matches the save’s platform. A supported PS4 save can come from console transfer, a PS4 USB copy, or PlayStation Plus cloud storage. A PS5 save cannot be copied to USB, so use console transfer or cloud storage. Confirm that you are signed in to the account associated with the save and that any cloud upload completed before trying to download it.

A PS4 disc game will not start

This is expected on the Digital Edition. The hardware cannot read PS4 discs; use a digital edition of the game if the publisher offers one and the title is compatible with PS5. Transferring other data does not change this hardware limitation.

Final setup checklist

  1. Identify the exact PS5 model and attach its base or feet as directed.
  2. Connect the supplied HDMI and power cables.
  3. Pair the controller and complete display settings.
  4. Connect to the internet.
  5. Install the latest available system software update.
  6. Sign in to the account that owns your digital purchases.
  7. For transfer, update the source, synchronize trophies, use the same account, and place both consoles on the same network.
  8. Start transfer during setup or later through Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer.
  9. Keep both consoles on and avoid network changes or connection tests until the process finishes.
  10. Check Downloads/Uploads after any destination restart.
  11. Download missing digital games from Game Library and choose USB or cloud methods for the save data that console transfer does not cover.
  12. Remember that PS4 discs cannot be used and PS5 saves cannot be copied to USB.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer data after I finish setting up the PS5 Digital Edition?

Yes. Turn on the source console, connect both systems to the same network, then open Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer > Continue on the destination PS5.

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Do both consoles need to use the same PlayStation account?

Yes. Sony requires the same account to be signed in on the source and destination for console-to-console transfer. Use the purchasing account to restore digital games from Game Library.

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Can the PS5 Digital Edition play PS4 game discs?

No. The Digital Edition has no disc drive. You need a compatible digital version associated with your account to play that title.

Can I transfer PS5 saves to a USB drive?

No. Sony says PS5 saved data cannot be copied from a PS5 console to USB. Use console transfer or PlayStation Plus cloud storage.

Can PS4 saves be moved without transferring the whole console?

Yes. Supported PS4 saves can be copied to USB on the PS4 and then copied to the PS5, or uploaded and downloaded through PlayStation Plus cloud storage.

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Why did the new PS5 restart during transfer?

A restart can be part of the normal process. Check Downloads/Uploads in Control Center because some game data may continue copying afterward.

Do I need an external USB drive to set up the console?

No. USB extended storage is optional. It can store PS4 and PS5 game files, but PS5 games must be moved back to internal storage to play.

What if a PS4 game transferred but does not work?

Check Sony’s individual backward-compatibility information. Some PS4 games are not playable on PS5, and compatible titles may have functionality differences.

The Bottom Line

Connect and update the PS5 Digital Edition, sign in with the account that owns your games, and transfer from one updated PS4 or PS5 on the same network. Keep both consoles powered on and leave network settings untouched until the transfer finishes. Download digital purchases from Game Library, use USB or PlayStation Plus for supported PS4 saves when needed, and remember that PS4 discs and USB-copied PS5 saves are not supported on this model.

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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.

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