PS4 games, saves, and many accessories carry over to PS5, but compatibility depends on the game, how you own it, and which accessory you want to use. PlayStation says the overwhelming majority of its 4,000+ PS4 games are playable on PS5; some titles and PS4-era features are exceptions. The key checks are whether a game is supported, whether your PS5 has a disc drive, and whether a controller or VR setup is approved for the game you want to play.
At a glance
| Name | Best for | Key spec | Platforms | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PS4 | Playing PS4 games and using PS4-era accessories | Most PS4 games work on PS5; a few remain PS4-only | PS4 | November 2026 |
| PS5 | Continuing a PS4 library while adding PS5 games | PS4 disc games require a PS5 with a disc drive; DualSense is required for PS5 games | PS5 | November 2026 |
Which PS4 games can I play on PS5?
Most PS4 games can be played on PS5, but compatibility is not universal and a playable game may still behave differently. PlayStation’s backward-compatibility support page says the “overwhelming majority” of its 4,000+ PS4 games are playable on PS5. That is PlayStation’s current published figure, not a guarantee that every title works or an independently measured compatibility rate.
The support page lists these six PS4-only games: Afro Samurai 2 Revenge of Kuma Volume One, Just Deal With It!, Robinson: The Journey, We Sing, Hitman Go: Definitive Edition, and Shadwen. PlayStation says the list can change, and it excludes demos, media, and non-game applications. Before buying a game—or relying on one you already own—check its PlayStation Store listing. Unsupported games are marked “Playable on: PS4 only.”
“Playable” also does not necessarily mean identical. PlayStation warns that a supported game may lack some functions, show errors, or behave unexpectedly on PS5. Some games can benefit from Game Boost, which may provide a higher or smoother frame rate, but this is not promised for every game. If a particular feature matters to you, look up the game’s support information and try the game on PS5 before buying add-ons for it.
Think of the compatibility check as two separate questions: can the game start and run on PS5, and does it retain the particular function you care about? A title may be supported while an individual feature behaves differently or is unavailable. The official count is a broad compatibility statement, not a promise about every game mode, peripheral, or add-on. PlayStation’s PS4-only list is also subject to change, so check the current listing for a title rather than relying on an old list or a general statement about the library.
Can I use my PS4 disc on PS5?
Yes, if the game is supported and you have a PS5 with a disc drive. You must leave the PS4 disc in the console whenever you play; it acts as the proof of ownership. A PS4 game disc cannot be used with PS5 Digital Edition.
Digital PS4 games do not need a disc. Sign in with the account that owns them, open your game library, and download the titles you want. If you are choosing between a disc-drive PS5 and Digital Edition, factor in your existing PS4 collection: a digital-only console cannot use your PS4 discs, even when the same game is otherwise backward compatible.
Some eligible PS4 games offer an upgrade to a PS5 digital version. The terms vary by title: an upgrade can be free, paid, or available only for a limited time, and it requires an internet connection. If the offer is tied to a disc, you need to insert that PS4 disc to play the upgraded version; the offer cannot make a PS4 disc usable on a Digital Edition. Check the individual game’s upgrade terms rather than assuming an upgrade exists or is free.
For a disc-based upgrade, keep in mind that the disc remains part of the process: you need a disc-drive PS5 and must insert the PS4 disc when playing the upgraded version. Owning the disc does not necessarily mean the PS5 upgrade itself is free, permanent, or available for every edition. Digital owners should check that they are signed in to the account that owns the game and review the particular offer in the Store. An upgrade offer changes the version you can play; it does not make unsupported PS4 games compatible.
How do I move PS4 games, saves, and other data?
You can move data during PS5 setup, transfer it later over a network, or use compatible USB storage. The right method depends on whether you are moving a whole console’s data, individual saves, or game installations.
- Use the same PlayStation account. Sign in on PS5 with the account used on PS4. Your game library is associated with that account, so you can download owned digital games from the PS5 library. PlayStation’s PS5 Quick Start Guide for PS4 users also says that game history, trophies, profile, and friend exchanges carry over when you sign in with the same account.
- Transfer console data over your network. During initial setup, connect both consoles to the same network and follow the PS5 transfer prompts. PlayStation says this can transfer items including saves, user information, and downloaded content. Wi-Fi is supported; a LAN cable is another option for save transfers.
- Use USB storage for compatible content. A compatible drive already formatted and used as PS4 extended storage can be plugged into PS5. PlayStation also describes accessing PS4 games and data from compatible USB storage. Compatibility is not guaranteed for every drive, so check the console’s storage guidance before buying a new one.
- Move saves through cloud storage if eligible. PlayStation Plus cloud storage is another route for PS4 saves, but using it for this purpose requires an active membership. Check that the save has uploaded on PS4 and that you are using the same account on PS5.
A transfer does not eliminate the other compatibility checks: a game still needs to be playable on PS5, and a disc-based game still needs its disc inserted on a console with a drive. If a save does not appear, verify the account, confirm the transfer or cloud upload finished, and check that the game version supports the save you are trying to load.
Choose a transfer route based on what you need to bring over. The network transfer is useful when you want a broader move during setup, because PlayStation lists saves, user information, and downloaded content among the items it can transfer. For an individual save, PlayStation also identifies LAN, Wi-Fi, compatible USB storage, and PS Plus cloud storage as options. These routes have different prerequisites: cloud transfer needs an active Plus membership, while USB depends on a compatible drive. A drive used as PS4 extended storage can also help you access supported PS4 games without downloading them again.
Keep the two storage jobs distinct. A USB drive used for PS4 extended storage holds game installations and can be reused if compatible; moving a save is a separate task, for which compatible USB storage is one option. Neither process grants ownership of a digital game or removes the disc requirement for a disc copy. If you have multiple user accounts or family members on the PS4, make sure you are using the corresponding account on PS5 when checking its library and saved data. The PS5 quick-start guide also says family and parental-control settings carry over.
There is no need to move every PS4 installation at once if you do not want to. Sign in with the owning account to select digital games from the library, use a compatible extended-storage drive for supported PS4 games and data, or transfer content over the network. Whichever method you choose, confirm that the transfer completed and that the right user account is active before troubleshooting an apparently missing save.
Which PS4 controllers work on PS5?
Controller compatibility follows the game, not simply the console: DUALSHOCK 4 works with supported PS4 games on PS5, while PS5 games require DualSense. DualSense also works with supported PS4 games. PlayStation’s compatibility guidance is the safest reference for the official distinctions.
| Controller | Use on PS5 | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|
| DUALSHOCK 4 | Supported PS4 games; recommended by PlayStation for the best PS VR experience | Does not control PS5 games |
| DualSense | PS5 games and supported PS4 games | Use it for PS5 games, which require a PS5 controller |
| Licensed third-party gamepad | Supported PS4 games, where compatible | Not every third-party controller works; confirm the exact model and game |
| Licensed racing wheel, arcade stick, or flight stick | Some PS5 games and supported PS4 games | Support depends on the title and accessory |
Check the controller maker’s compatibility information and the game’s requirements before buying or connecting a specialty controller. A controller that works for a PS4 game on PS5 is not automatically supported by a PS5 version of that game. DUALSHOCK 4 can be useful for a PS4 title that requires its forward-facing light bar, but that does not make it a general-purpose PS5 controller.
The version of a game matters as much as the console. If you launch the PS4 version of a game on PS5, a supported DUALSHOCK 4 may work; if you switch to a PS5 version, the game requires DualSense. That distinction can affect a household with several controllers or a specialty setup. A licensed racing wheel, arcade stick, or flight stick may support a PS5 title, but the accessory’s licensing alone does not guarantee that every game supports it. Check the model and the game together before spending money or expecting a particular control scheme to work.
There is no general rule that every PS4 controller accessory transfers with the same behavior. Officially licensed third-party gamepads are listed for supported PS4 games, while specialty controllers may work with PS5 games or supported PS4 games subject to title support. If you need a specific function—such as the light bar on a particular PS4 game—verify that use case rather than assuming the controller will work across all PS5 software.
Can I reuse a PS4 headset or external drive?
Many headsets and compatible USB drives can be reused, although the exact connection and supported features matter. PlayStation lists its Platinum and Gold Wireless Headsets, along with third-party headsets connected through USB or an audio jack, as compatible on PS5.
For Gold and Platinum headsets, the PlayStation ecosystem FAQ specifies using the included wireless USB adapter or the 3.5 mm headset jack on DualSense. The headset companion app does not work on PS5, so do not assume that every PS4 headset feature or setting will carry over. For other headsets, check whether the particular model connects by USB or through the controller’s audio jack and whether its maker lists PS5 support.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallA compatible USB drive that was already used as PS4 extended storage may continue to be used on PS5. That can save you from downloading or reinstalling supported PS4 games again, but it does not make an unsupported game playable. The source guidance does not certify every USB drive or specify a universal model, so verify drive compatibility rather than treating any USB storage device as interchangeable.
Reusing equipment can help avoid an unnecessary purchase, but compatibility is about the supported connection and use—not just whether a plug fits. PlayStation lists certain wireless headsets and headsets connected by USB or an audio jack, while the companion app is not available on PS5. For external storage, the official guidance covers compatible drives, including a drive already used for PS4 extended storage; it does not say that every drive or every format will work. Check the exact accessory and console instructions if you are considering buying something new.
What do I need to play PS VR games on PS5?
To play supported PS VR games on PS5, you need the original PS VR headset, a PlayStation Camera for PS4, and a PlayStation Camera adaptor. The PS5 HD Camera is not a substitute. PlayStation says the adaptor is available at no charge; its PS5 compatibility guidance specifies the required setup.
The supported PS4 camera models are CUH-ZEY1 and CUH-ZEY2. Selected PS VR games also require Move controllers or support the PS VR Aim controller. PlayStation recommends DUALSHOCK 4 for the best PS VR experience on PS5. Check the individual game’s accessory requirements before assuming your existing setup is complete; the required headset and accessories are separate from the PS5 console.
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Before setting up, inventory the parts rather than checking only for the headset. The required arrangement is the PS VR headset, one of the compatible PS4 PlayStation Camera models, and the adaptor for connecting that camera to PS5. The adaptor is available at no charge from PlayStation, so it should not be treated as a paid add-on. The HD Camera made for PS5 is not compatible with PS VR, even though it is a camera for the same console.
Input requirements vary by game: some PS VR titles require Move controllers, and others support the Aim controller. PlayStation recommends DUALSHOCK 4 for the best PS VR experience. Confirm the controls listed for the specific title before you assume your headset and camera are enough; the PS VR equipment and any required specialty controllers are separate from the PS5 console.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which PS4 features and services do not carry over?
Some PS4-era features are unavailable on PS5, and a few familiar controls work differently. PlayStation identifies PS4 Tournaments, In-Game Live from PlayStation, and the PS4 Second Screen app and game companion apps as unsupported on PS5.
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The PS4 SHARE menu does not appear during PS4 gameplay on PS5. Instead, the Create button provides capture functions, including screenshots and recent video clips. PlayStation notes that some PS4 game video started at 3840 × 2160 may be recorded at 1920 × 1080, so capture output may not match the source resolution. HDR is automatically switched on according to PlayStation’s guidance, but it can be turned off in PS5 video settings.
These are system-level changes, not proof that every online or social feature disappears. For example, some multiplayer and party functions remain available; whether in-game chat or a particular game feature works still depends on the title. If you rely on one specific PS4 app or sharing workflow, confirm that it has a PS5-supported replacement before changing consoles.
For people who regularly share clips, the change is more than a button rename: the PS4 SHARE menu is absent during PS4 gameplay on PS5, and capture starts from the PS5 Create button instead. Screenshots and recent clips are among the available capture functions, but a clip’s recorded resolution can differ from its source. PlayStation specifically notes that some PS4 game video started at 3840 × 2160 may be captured at 1920 × 1080. If recording resolution or a particular live feature is central to how you use a game, test the PS5 workflow before assuming it is unchanged.
HDR is another setting to check if you prefer to control it manually: PlayStation says it switches on automatically, and you can turn it off in PS5 video settings. Meanwhile, the unsupported PS4 Tournaments, In-Game Live from PlayStation, Second Screen, and game companion apps are distinct from multiplayer itself. Cross-generation play and Party voice chat may still be available, while an individual game’s in-game chat and features depend on the game.
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Use this order to avoid the most common compatibility surprises:
- Check the game’s PS5 status. Search the PlayStation Store listing for “Playable on: PS4 only.” The PS4-only list on PlayStation Support can change, so confirm the current status of a named game close to purchase or play.
- Match the ownership format to the console. Digital games need the owning account. A PS4 disc needs a PS5 with a disc drive and must stay inserted during play.
- Confirm the exact game version and upgrade terms. A PS5 upgrade is title-specific and may be paid, free, or time-limited. Check whether the upgrade requires the original disc.
- Identify the input or accessory the game requires. Check controller, headset, storage, and—if relevant—PS VR camera and motion-controller requirements for that exact title.
- Decide how to transfer the save. Choose network transfer, compatible USB, or PS Plus cloud storage if your membership is active. Confirm the same account is in use.
- Verify any feature you depend on. Check whether the game’s companion app, tournament access, capture workflow, or online feature is supported on PS5.
This sequence separates three different questions that are easy to confuse: whether the game runs, whether your copy can be used on your PS5 model, and whether your existing save or accessories are supported.
If your first check is the game, do not stop at a generic backward-compatibility statement. Confirm the Store status, then check whether the specific version is a PS4 or PS5 version and whether your copy is a disc or digital license. Next, check the devices that are particular to your setup: a controller that works for a PS4 title may not work for the PS5 version, and a PS VR setup needs the older camera chain. Finally, decide how you will move saved data and verify any service or app you depend on. This order catches common mismatches before a purchase or console setup.
These checks are especially useful when buying a game second-hand or planning around an upgrade. A disc copy requires a disc-drive PS5 even when a digital version exists; an upgrade can have separate price and time conditions; and using cloud saves depends on an active PlayStation Plus membership. The Store listing and the game’s own requirements are the best place to confirm title-specific details.
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Can PS4 and PS5 players play together?
PlayStation says PS4 and PS5 players can play together when they are playing the same PS4 game through backward compatibility. Party voice chat between PS4 and PS5 is supported, but in-game chat depends on the individual game. A PS5 version and a PS4 version may have different cross-play rules, so check the game’s own multiplayer information when playing across generations.
Do not assume that every game has one shared player pool just because both consoles can run a version of it. The documented cross-generation situation is that PS4 and PS5 players can play together when playing the same PS4 game through backward compatibility. Party voice chat is a separate system feature that supports communication between PS4 and PS5 players; in-game chat remains title-dependent. For a particular multiplayer game, verify which version each player is using and check its own cross-play details.
What about a PS4 game from PlayStation Plus?
A PS4 game available in a PlayStation Plus library can be downloaded and played on PS5 while the membership is active. That access is different from owning a digital game outright: signing in with the account associated with the subscription does not turn a library title into a permanent purchase. Check that the specific game remains available to you and that your membership is active when you want to play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I play a PS Plus PS4 game on my PS5 after my membership ends?
PlayStation says a PS4 game in a PlayStation Plus library can be downloaded and played on PS5 while the membership is active. Access to a title through the subscription should not be confused with owning a digital copy outright.
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PlayStation’s quick-start guide says your trophies and game history carry over when you sign in on PS5 with the same account. This is account information; it does not mean every game save or game-specific feature transfers automatically.
Can I use the PS5 HD Camera for PS VR?
No. The PS VR setup on PS5 requires a PlayStation Camera for PS4 and the camera adaptor; PlayStation explicitly says the PS5 HD Camera is not compatible with PS VR.
Does every compatible PS4 game get a PS5 upgrade?
No. Upgrades are offered only for eligible games, and each publisher’s offer can differ in price or duration. Check the individual game’s store listing and upgrade terms before relying on one.
How do I transfer PS4 game save files to PS5?
PlayStation lists Wi-Fi or LAN transfer, compatible USB storage, and PS Plus cloud storage as ways to move PS4 saves. Cloud storage requires an active PlayStation Plus membership. Use the same account on both consoles and confirm the save transfer or upload completed.
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The Bottom Line
Most PS4 games and many accessories can make the move to PS5, but check the exact game, ownership format, and accessory before you rely on compatibility. PS4 discs need a disc-drive PS5; DUALSHOCK 4 is for supported PS4 games, not PS5 games; and PS VR requires the PS4 Camera plus a no-cost adaptor. Use the same account and choose a supported save-transfer method, then verify any app, service, or game feature you depend on.
