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No internet service is required for Sony’s direct PS4-to-PS5 transfer. Both consoles must be connected to the same local network, either over Wi‑Fi or wired LAN. Internet is only needed for separate activities such as downloading digital games, using PlayStation Plus cloud storage, signing in to online services, or playing online.
Internet service and a local network are different requirements
The direct transfer uses your home network to send data from the PS4, called the source console, to the PS5, called the destination console. The consoles communicate through the same router or network, so an active connection to the wider internet is not part of the transfer requirement. Sony’s Quick Start Guide describes the requirement as connecting both systems to “the same network” to move game saves, user information and downloaded content.
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That distinction matters if your broadband is temporarily unavailable, you are moving consoles in a location without internet service, or you want to avoid downloading a large game again. A working local router is still needed for the normal wireless method. If there is no shared network at all, use one of the offline alternatives, such as copying PS4 saves to a USB drive or reinstalling a disc game.
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What you need before starting
- Both consoles: Connect the PS4 and PS5 to the same router or other local network. Wi‑Fi is supported; Ethernet is optional.
- The same account: Use the relevant PlayStation Network account on the source and destination consoles. During initial setup, account and user information can be included in the transfer.
- Updated system software: Sony instructs users to update both consoles before beginning.
- Trophy synchronization: On the PS4, synchronize trophy information before transferring. Trophies are associated with the account, not merely with a local save file.
- Power and time: Keep both systems switched on until the process finishes. The duration depends on the amount of data and network conditions; Sony does not publish a universal time estimate.
- A display for the PS5: The PS5 needs to be connected to a TV or monitor for setup. Sony’s described procedure does not require the source PS4 to remain connected to a TV.
A commercially available LAN cable can improve transfer speed when the consoles normally use Wi‑Fi. If both systems are already connected by Ethernet to the same router, Sony says you do not need a second cable running directly between the consoles.
How to transfer during initial PS5 setup
The first-boot setup offers the broadest transfer scope. In addition to compatible saves and games, Sony’s table lists PS4 user and account information and console settings as transferable at this stage.
- Connect the PS4 and PS5 to the same local network. Use Wi‑Fi on both, Ethernet on both, or a combination through the same router.
- Turn on the PS5 and begin its on-screen setup.
- When the data-transfer stage appears, follow the prompts to detect the PS4 and select the categories and items you want to move.
- Leave both consoles powered on and connected. The PS5 may restart while the transfer is running.
- After a restart, some items may continue transferring in the background. On the PS5, open Control Centre and check Downloads/Uploads for progress.
Do not shut down either console, disconnect the network, change network settings, or run an internet connection test during the operation. Sony warns that interrupting the process or changing network conditions can damage or lose data.
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How to start the transfer after PS5 setup
If the PS5 has already been configured, you can launch the transfer from its system settings. This route has a narrower scope than the initial setup: Sony lists compatible PS4 saved data and PS4 games playable on PS5, while the saved-data portion is limited to the user currently signed in.
- Turn on the PS4 and connect it to the same local network as the PS5.
- On the PS5, open Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer > Continue.
- Follow the prompts to locate the PS4 and choose the compatible games and saved data to transfer.
- Keep both consoles on until the transfer completes. The PS5 can restart, and remaining items can continue afterward.
- Use Control Centre’s Downloads/Uploads panel to monitor activity after the restart.
Data already stored on the PS5 does not transfer back over itself. If several people use the PS4, the post-setup method does not provide the same user-information category shown during initial setup; sign in as the user whose saved data you intend to move.
What moves in each setup scenario
Sony separates the transfer scope by when you run it. “Compatible” means the game or save must be supported on PS5; PS4 software that is not playable on PS5 cannot be made compatible by the transfer process.
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| Data category | During initial PS5 setup | After setup from Data Transfer |
|---|---|---|
| PS4 user and account information | Listed as transferable | Not listed in Sony’s post-setup table |
| PS4 console settings | Listed as transferable | Not listed |
| Compatible PS4 saved data | Listed as transferable | Listed; only the currently signed-in user’s PS4 saves can be transferred |
| PS4 games playable on PS5 | Listed as transferable | Listed as transferable |
| Data already on the PS5 | Does not transfer over itself | Does not transfer over itself |
Synchronizing trophies is a separate preparation step. Sony’s guide explains that an existing account carries its game history, trophies, profile and friend exchanges to PS5; this account synchronization should not be confused with the local-network connection used to copy files.
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When a direct transfer is not the best option
You can choose a different method for individual categories. These alternatives have different internet requirements:
| Method | Internet or network requirement | Best use | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct transfer over Wi‑Fi | Both consoles on the same local network; internet service is not required | Moving multiple categories through the PS5 transfer workflow | Wireless conditions affect speed and stability |
| Direct transfer over LAN | Same local network; internet service is not required | A wired setup or a potentially faster path than Wi‑Fi | LAN cable is sold separately; two consoles wired to the same router do not need a direct console-to-console cable |
| USB copy of PS4 saves | No cloud download is needed for the copy itself | Moving selected PS4 game saves without using the transfer workflow | Sony allows PS4 saves to be copied to USB and then to PS5; PS5 saves cannot be copied from PS5 to USB |
| Redownload digital games | Internet access required | Restoring games from the destination console’s library | Download size and connection speed determine how long installation takes |
| Install disc games | No download is required for the basic disc installation | Reinstalling a physical PS4 title | You need the original disc, and updates or patches can still require internet |
| PlayStation Plus cloud saves | Internet and an active online service connection required | Retrieving saves already stored in cloud storage | Available to PlayStation Plus members with saves previously uploaded |
| Existing PS4 USB extended storage | Connecting the drive itself does not require an internet download | Accessing compatible game data already installed on the drive | Use the drive with the PS5 according to Sony’s storage instructions; save-data handling remains separate |
What still needs internet after the transfer
The local copy and online services are separate operations. A PS5 with no internet can receive data over the shared local network, but the following tasks may still require internet access:
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- Digital game downloads: Games in the PS5 library must be downloaded again if you did not transfer their installation and do not have a disc.
- Game and system updates: Patches, firmware updates and post-installation updates are online downloads.
- Cloud saves: Uploading or downloading saves through PlayStation Plus uses Sony’s online storage.
- Online play and network features: Multiplayer, cloud-connected features and other online services cannot work offline.
- Account services: Accessing PlayStation Network account features requires an online connection even though the local transfer itself does not.
If your immediate goal is simply to preserve PS4 saves and play an already installed disc game, you can complete the local transfer first and handle online downloads later when an internet connection is available.
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Both consoles cannot find each other
Verify that both systems are connected to the same router and network name. A guest Wi‑Fi network, separate access point or isolated VLAN can prevent local-device discovery even when both devices appear to have Wi‑Fi. Move both consoles to the primary network, then retry the Data Transfer menu.
The transfer is unusually slow
Reduce wireless congestion by bringing the consoles closer to the router, or connect one or both consoles by Ethernet. Sony only makes a qualitative claim that LAN can be faster when the consoles normally use Wi‑Fi; it does not provide a guaranteed speed increase or transfer-time figure.
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The PS5 restarts during the process
A restart can be normal. Do not interpret it as a failure or turn the console off. Wait for the system to return to the interface, then check Downloads/Uploads in Control Centre for continuing activity.
You changed a network setting or ran a connection test
Stop making further changes and check whether the transfer resumes. Sony specifically advises against changing network settings or running internet connection tests during transfer because data can be damaged or lost. If the process fails, restart both consoles only after the system has stopped responding, then begin again with stable network settings.
You have no router or shared local network
Use a USB drive for PS4 saved data, install physical games from their discs, or wait until a local network is available for the full console-transfer workflow. A USB save copy does not replace the user-information, settings and game-transfer categories available during initial PS5 setup.
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- On the PS4, sign in to the account you will use on PS5 and synchronize trophies.
- Update both consoles while an internet connection is available, if possible.
- Connect both systems to the same local router, even if that router currently has no internet service.
- Run the transfer during initial PS5 setup when you want user information and settings included.
- Keep the systems powered on and avoid network changes until the process and any post-restart activity finish.
- Later, when internet access returns, download digital games, patches and cloud saves that were not handled locally.
This sequence separates the one-time local migration from downloads and online services, so a temporary internet outage does not prevent you from moving the data that is already on the PS4.
Bottom line for PS4-to-PS5 transfers
Sony’s direct transfer is a local-network operation: Wi‑Fi works, LAN is optional, and an internet connection is not required. Prepare both consoles, use the same account, synchronize trophies, and run the transfer without powering off or changing network settings. Treat digital downloads, PlayStation Plus cloud saves, updates and online play as separate internet-dependent tasks.
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