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 errorsBack up anything you cannot afford to lose, then install the update through the PS5’s normal System Software menu. A routine update is different from resetting or reinstalling the console: do not choose either reset option as part of an ordinary update. A backup is optional for a routine update, but it gives you a recovery copy if you need one.
Choose the right backup for what you want to protect
A full-console USB backup and PlayStation Plus cloud storage do different jobs. Choose based on whether you want a copy of more than saved games.
| Method | What it covers | Requirement | Important restore detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-console USB backup | Can include games and apps, saved data, screenshots and video clips, and settings. Games and apps on extended USB storage or an M.2 SSD are excluded; trophies are excluded. | A compatible USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Sony notes that not all USB drives work. | Restoring erases the data currently on the PS5. |
| PlayStation Plus cloud storage | Saved data, not a full-console backup of games, settings, and captures. | PlayStation Plus membership. | Saves can be uploaded to or downloaded from cloud storage; this is not the full-console restore process. |
Sony also says PS5 saved data is not copied to an ordinary USB drive. A USB extended storage drive is formatted for a different purpose and cannot be used for the full-console backup. See Sony’s guide to managing PS5 storage for the distinction between storage and cloud saves.
Back up your PS5 to a USB drive
- Connect a compatible USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT. Do not use a drive set up as USB extended storage for this backup.
- On the PS5, open Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore > Back Up Your PS5.
- Select the data types you want to include, choose Next, select the USB drive, then choose Back Up.
- Leave the console on until it reports “Backup complete.” Sony warns: “Don’t turn off your PS5® console while backing up or restoring data.”
Before starting, update game trophies if you want them current: trophies are not included in the backup. The backup also excludes games and apps stored on extended USB storage or an M.2 SSD. Backup data is tied to your PlayStation account; if you have never signed in to PlayStation Network, Sony says you can restore only to the same console. Sony’s PS5 backup and restore instructions list the current steps and conditions.
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- Easily store and access 2TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop
- 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.
Use cloud storage for saved data
If you have PlayStation Plus and only need to protect saves, cloud storage is an alternative to making a full-console backup. It does not back up the full set of data types available in a USB backup. Sony’s storage guide explains cloud saved data and the separate roles of USB storage.
Install the normal PS5 system update
- Connect the console to the internet.
- Open Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.
- Select Update System Software and follow the on-screen instructions.
You can enable automatic update downloads and installation from the same update settings area; which controls are available can depend on the console’s settings and state. For Sony’s current controls, see the PS5 system software update page.
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- Ultra-fast Data Transfers: Works with USB 3.0 technology, this USB hard drive is much faster than - but still compatible with - USB 2.0 backup drive, allowing for super fast transfer speed at up to 5 Gbps
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- Multi- Compatibility: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS (10.6.5 and above), Linux, Android, Chromebook, PC, Laptop, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, TV and so on
- Plug and Play: The drive has been formatted. It's ready to use without software installation needed. You can save and backup any files, movies, music, photos, games and more
- Upgraded Version USB Cable: The drive with 2in1 Micro-USB 3.0 Cable, The multifunction USB cable can match different connect port and stabilize the transmission speed
If the download stalls or fails
Open Downloads/Uploads, inspect View Error Info, and choose Try Again. If repeated downloads fail, Sony provides an update-by-USB route. Use only the official update file supplied by Sony; its support page warns not to install an update using other data.
Update from USB only if the normal method fails
For a manual update, use a USB drive formatted as FAT32 or exFAT and Sony’s official update file. Do not use the reinstallation file: updating and reinstalling are different workflows, and reinstallation deletes console data.
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- Easily store and access 1TB to content on the go with the Seagate Portable Drive, a USB external hard drive.Specific uses: Personal
- Designed to work with Windows or Mac computers, this external hard drive makes backup a snap just drag and drop. Reformatting may be required for Mac
- 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.
- On the USB drive, create a folder named
PS5, then create a folder namedUPDATEinside it. - Download the official PS5 update file from Sony and save it in the
UPDATEfolder with the exact filenamePS5UPDATE.PUP. - Turn off the PS5. Press and hold the power button and release it after the second beep to start Safe Mode.
- Connect the USB drive, select Update System Software > Update from USB Storage Device > OK, then follow the prompts.
Sony’s Safe Mode update instructions give the USB file and folder requirements. Never use unofficial update files.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Know which Safe Mode choices can erase data
Safe Mode includes repair, update, reset, and reinstallation options. The names matter: Repair Console Storage is a non-destructive repair option, while Reset PS5 and Reset PS5 (Reinstall System Software) delete user data. Sony says reinstalling should be a last troubleshooting step. Consult Sony’s Safe Mode options guide before choosing an option when troubleshooting.
Restore only when you actually need to recover a backup
A restore is not a routine step after updating. It erases the data currently on the console, so first preserve anything added since the backup. Sony requires the PS5’s system software to be the same version as or newer than the version used when the backup was created. Restoring also disables Console Sharing and Offline Play; re-enable those settings afterward if you use them. Keep the console powered on throughout the restore.
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