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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesBefore changing PS5 system software, make a USB backup from Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5. Use a USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT, select the data categories, and wait for the “Backup complete” message before disconnecting it. PlayStation Plus members should also verify cloud synchronization. Do not choose Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) until the backup is finished and checked: Sony says reinstalling system software deletes all data on the console.
Why you should back up before changing PS5 system software
A normal system-software update and a system-software reinstallation are different operations. A routine update is available at Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software. Reinstallation is a destructive Safe Mode option intended to install the system software again from scratch.
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Sony’s warning is explicit: “Reinstalling the system software on your PS5 console will delete all of the data on your PS5 console.” Safe Mode guidance also warns that some options result in data loss and recommends copying data to USB or cloud storage first. A backup is therefore sensible before an ordinary update, essential before any reset or reinstall, and useful whenever you are troubleshooting a system that may need to be initialized.
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A USB backup is the physical copy you control. PlayStation Plus cloud storage provides a second copy for saved data, but it requires a membership, an internet connection and correctly configured synchronization. Using both methods protects against a failed update, a mistaken reset and a problem with one copy.
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USB backup, cloud storage or both?
The two methods protect different things and have different recovery requirements.
| Consideration | USB backup | PlayStation Plus cloud storage |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | Works without PlayStation Plus. | Requires an active PlayStation Plus membership. |
| What it can contain | A full console backup can include games and apps, saved data, screenshots, video clips and settings. | Focuses on saved data. |
| Connection | Uses a locally connected USB device; internet access is not required for the copy. | Requires internet access. Automatic synchronization also requires the console to remain connected in rest mode. |
| Storage listed by Sony | Limited by the capacity of the compatible USB device; Sony’s support instructions do not state a universal drive size. | 100 GB for PS5 saved data and 100 GB for PS4 saved data, according to Sony Interactive Entertainment support documentation published in 2026. |
| Recovery condition | Restoring requires the PS5’s current system-software version to be the same as or newer than the version installed when the backup was made. | PS5 data can synchronize between the console and cloud. PS4 saves upload automatically but must be downloaded manually to PS5 storage after the change. |
If the system is working, make the USB copy first and then confirm that cloud synchronization is current. Cloud storage should be treated as a second copy, not as a reason to skip the physical backup before a reinstall.
Prepare a compatible USB drive
Use FAT32 or exFAT
Format the USB storage device as FAT32 or exFAT before using it for the PS5 backup. The console’s backup function is documented for these formats.
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Do not use the game extended-storage drive as backup media
USB extended storage used to hold installed games is formatted differently from backup media and cannot be used for PS5 backup data. A drive that is configured as extended storage is therefore not automatically a valid backup drive. Use a separate FAT32- or exFAT-formatted device, or reconfigure a device only after accounting for whatever is already stored on it.
Connect the drive directly
Plug the compatible drive into the PS5 before opening the backup menu. Keep the console powered on and do not disconnect the drive while the backup is running. Sony does not publish a guaranteed backup duration or success-rate statistic, so allow the operation to finish rather than relying on an estimated waiting time.
How to create a PS5 USB backup
- Connect the drive. Attach the FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB storage device to the PS5.
- Open the backup menu. Go to Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5.
- Select the data categories. Choose the categories you want to copy. A full backup can contain games and apps, saved data, screenshots and video clips, and settings.
- Start the operation. Select Next, then choose Back Up. The PS5 restarts and begins creating the backup.
- Wait for confirmation. Leave the drive connected until the screen says “Backup complete. Your PS5 console will restart”. Select OK and allow the console to return to the home screen before removing the drive.
“You can use a USB storage device to back up saved data from your PlayStation®5 console.” — Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Support
The completion message is the point at which Sony confirms the operation has finished. Removing the drive earlier leaves you without that confirmation and can make the copy unusable.
Choose categories deliberately
The backup screen lets you choose which categories to copy. Select saved data at minimum. If you want a broader recovery that returns the console closer to its previous state, include games and apps, screenshots and video clips, and settings as well. A category you leave unchecked is not protected by that backup, so review the selections before pressing Next.
Backing up games and apps can make the operation larger than a saves-only copy. The documented process does not promise a fixed completion time, and Sony publishes no universal duration or success-rate figure. Keep the console and drive connected until the confirmation appears instead of interrupting the process because it seems slow.
What the full USB backup includes—and what it does not
| Data type | Included? | Practical implication |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 and PS4 saved data | Yes, when the saved-data category is selected. | Your progress is part of the console backup. |
| Games and apps | Yes, when selected. | The backup can contain installed software as well as saves. |
| Screenshots and video clips | Yes, when selected. | Capture media can be copied with the other categories. |
| System settings | Yes, when selected. | Settings can be carried into the restore operation. |
| Trophies | No. | Synchronize trophies separately before a major system change. |
| Game extended-storage format | Not valid for backup data. | Use FAT32 or exFAT backup media instead. |
Synchronize trophies separately
Trophies are excluded from the USB backup. Before changing system software, open the trophy interface while signed in and synchronize your trophy information so that it is associated with your account. The backup protects the listed console data; it is not a trophy archive.
Set up PlayStation Plus cloud synchronization
Cloud storage requires PlayStation Plus. Sony lists capacity of 100 GB of PS5 saved data and 100 GB of PS4 saved data in its 2026 support documentation.
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- Keep the PS5 connected to the internet.
- Leave the console in rest mode when you want automatic synchronization to run.
- Use the saved-data settings for the correct game generation: PS5 or PS4.
Configure PS5-game saves
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS5).
- Select Sync Saved Data.
- Enable Auto-Sync Saved Data.
Sony says PS5 console data and cloud data synchronize to the newest data. Check that the most recent progress is present before beginning the system-software change.
Configure PS4-game saves
- Open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Choose Saved Data (PS4).
- Enable Auto-Upload.
PS4 saves upload automatically when configured, but after the system change they must be downloaded manually to PS5 storage. Automatic upload is not the same as an automatic download during recovery.
“You can automatically sync your saved data with cloud storage when you close a game or put your console in rest mode.” — Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Support
Check the cloud copy before starting
Close the game normally before checking synchronization so the newest save is available to upload. Confirm that the console is online and that the account has an active PlayStation Plus membership. If you use both PS5 and PS4 versions of a title, check the corresponding saved-data section for each version; PS5 synchronization and PS4 Auto-Upload are separate settings and have different recovery behavior.
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Routine update versus manual USB update
For a normal online update, use Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software. Complete the backup before selecting the update command if you want a recoverable copy on hand.
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Sony also documents a manual USB update path. This is an update procedure, not the same thing as restoring a backup.
- Format the USB drive as FAT32 or exFAT.
- Create a folder named
PS5at the drive’s top level, then create anUPDATEfolder inside it. - Save the official update file in the
UPDATEfolder with the exact filenamePS5UPDATE.PUP. - Start the PS5 in Safe Mode.
- Select Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device.
Keep the backup copy separate from the update process when possible, and do not select a reinstall option merely because the update file is on a USB drive. The menu choice determines whether the operation is an update or a destructive reinstallation.
Understand the reinstall warning in Safe Mode
Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) removes all data from the console. Select it only after the USB backup has completed and you have confirmed the cloud copy, if available. A routine update command and a reinstall command should never be treated as interchangeable recovery steps.
If the PS5 enters Safe Mode because of a problem, read the description of each option before confirming it. Sony’s Safe Mode guidance specifically advises backing up to USB or cloud storage first because some options cause data loss.
Do not confuse an update file with a reinstall file
The folders and filename used for a manual update do not turn a backup into an update package. A backup is created through Back Up Your PS5 and recovered through Restore Your PS5. The Safe Mode command Update from USB Storage Device is for installing the official update file, while Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) is the destructive reinstall choice.
Verify the backup before changing anything
Verification has two parts:
- Wait for the on-screen “Backup complete. Your PS5 console will restart” confirmation, select OK, and let the PS5 return to the home screen.
- For PlayStation Plus, check the relevant PS5 or PS4 saved-data synchronization setting and make sure the latest progress has uploaded or synchronized.
Do not remove the USB device while the console is restarting as part of the backup operation. Once the home screen is available, keep the drive in a safe place until the update or reinstall has been tested.
Keep the two USB jobs identifiable
If you use one device for both a manual system update and a backup, keep the backup available and avoid deleting or replacing it when placing the update file on the drive. A separate FAT32- or exFAT-formatted drive makes the distinction clearer and reduces the chance of selecting the wrong file or disconnecting the only recovery copy.
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Check the software-version requirement
Sony requires the PS5’s current system-software version to be the same as or newer than the version installed when the backup was created. If the console is running an older version, update it before attempting the restore.
Run the restore
- Connect the USB drive containing the completed backup.
- Open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore.
- Select Restore Your PS5.
- Choose the backup to restore and follow the on-screen prompts.
After restoration, Console Sharing and Offline Play is disabled. Re-enable that setting afterward if you need the console to retain access to subscriptions and content while offline.
Recover PS4 saves from the cloud when necessary
Cloud recovery behaves differently for PS4 saves: they upload automatically when Auto-Upload is enabled, but you must download them manually to PS5 storage after the system change. This manual step is separate from restoring a USB console backup.
Post-restore checks
After the restore completes, sign in and confirm that the expected saved data is present by opening the relevant games. Check screenshots, clips, settings, and installed applications if those categories were included. Synchronize trophies if needed, and re-enable Console Sharing and Offline Play because restoration disables it. For PS4 cloud saves, use the saved-data menu to download the files manually rather than assuming they appeared automatically.
Troubleshooting common backup problems
The PS5 does not offer the expected backup option
Confirm that you are following Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore and that the drive is connected. A drive configured as USB extended storage for games is not valid backup media because it uses a different format. Use FAT32 or exFAT backup media instead.
The USB drive is not recognized
Check the drive’s format and reconnect it before opening the backup menu. FAT32 and exFAT are the documented formats for this operation. If the drive is still configured as game extended storage, it cannot be used for the backup in that state.
The backup has finished but trophies are missing
This is expected: trophies are not included in the USB backup. Synchronize trophy information separately while signed in before the system change.
Cloud saves are not current
Verify PlayStation Plus membership, internet connectivity and rest-mode settings. Then open Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings and check the correct PS5 or PS4 saved-data section. PS5 uses Sync Saved Data > Auto-Sync Saved Data; PS4 uses Auto-Upload.
The restore option rejects the backup
Check the software-version requirement first. The installed system software must be the same version as or newer than the version present when the backup was made. Update the console if it is running an older version, then try Restore Your PS5 again.
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- To get set up, connect the portable hard drive to a computer for automatic recognition no software required
- This USB drive provides plug and play simplicity with the included 18 inch USB 3.0 cable
- The available storage capacity may vary.
Access to subscriptions or content changes after restoration
Restoring disables Console Sharing and Offline Play. Re-enable that setting after the restore to retain the intended access to subscriptions and content.
The console restarts during backup
A restart is part of Sony’s documented backup process. Do not treat the restart itself as a failure or unplug the drive. Wait for the explicit completion message, select OK, and allow the console to return to the home screen.
You need only your saves, not a full console copy
Select the saved-data category in the backup screen. Cloud storage is also focused on saved data, but it requires PlayStation Plus and internet connectivity. A full USB backup is preferable when you also want settings, capture media, games, or apps available for recovery.
The safest order of operations
- Close games and synchronize trophies while signed in.
- Prepare a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive that is not being used as game extended storage.
- Create the PS5 backup and select every category you want protected.
- Wait for the explicit completion message, choose OK, and let the console return to the home screen.
- Confirm PlayStation Plus cloud synchronization if you have the service.
- Use the ordinary update path for an update, or choose a reinstall only when you understand that it deletes console data.
- If a reinstall was required, restore from the USB backup only after the console is running the same or a newer system-software version.
- Re-enable Console Sharing and Offline Play and manually download PS4 cloud saves if necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Will a normal PS5 system update delete my saves?
A routine update is different from Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software), but making a backup first gives you a recovery copy if something goes wrong. Reinstallation explicitly deletes all console data.
Can I back up PS5 saves without PlayStation Plus?
Yes. Sony documents a USB backup using a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted drive, and this does not require PlayStation Plus. Cloud storage does require an active membership.
Can I use my PS5 game extended-storage drive?
No. USB extended storage for installed games uses a different format and cannot be used for backup data in that state. Use a separate compatible drive or reconfigure one after accounting for its existing contents.
Are trophies included in a PS5 USB backup?
No. Synchronize trophies separately while signed in; they are not part of the USB backup categories.
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Sony’s 2026 support documentation lists 100 GB for PS5 saved data and 100 GB for PS4 saved data.
Do PS4 saves restore automatically from the cloud?
No. PS4 saves can upload automatically when Auto-Upload is enabled, but after the system change you must download them manually to PS5 storage.
What happens to Console Sharing and Offline Play?
A PS5 restore disables Console Sharing and Offline Play. Re-enable it after restoration if you need access to subscriptions and content while offline.
Can I restore a backup to an older system-software version?
No. The PS5 must be running the same version or a newer version than the one installed when the backup was created. Update the console first if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest way to back up PS5 saves before an update?
Connect a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive, open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5, select saved data, choose Next and Back Up, and wait for the “Backup complete” confirmation.
Does PS5 system-software reinstallation erase everything?
Yes. Sony says Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) deletes all data on the console, so complete and verify a USB or cloud backup first.
Can cloud storage replace a USB backup?
It can provide a second copy of saved data, but it requires PlayStation Plus and internet access. A USB backup can also include settings, screenshots, video clips, games and apps.
Why are my PS4 saves not present after restoring?
PS4 saves uploaded to PlayStation Plus cloud storage must be downloaded manually to PS5 storage after the system change.
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Use a FAT32- or exFAT-formatted USB drive and the PS5’s Back Up Your PS5 menu before changing system software. Wait for the “Backup complete” message, synchronize trophies separately, and verify PlayStation Plus cloud data when available. Treat Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) as destructive; after a reinstall, restore only when the console has the same or a newer system-software version, then re-enable Console Sharing and Offline Play.
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