With the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, you can copy select save data files from the console storage to an external USB drive.
If you are interested in doing so, then you can check out this step-by-step tutorial at Seeking Tech.
What save files can you copy to an external USB drive on PlayStation 5?
Unfortunately, you can’t copy save data from any PS5 game to an external USB drive. The only way to back up the save files from PS5 games is through the Cloud Storage, which requires a PlayStation Plus membership.
To see how you can upload and download save data for PS5 games, as well as PS4 games, from the cloud storage, you can check out this guide.
Fortunately, you are able to copy save data from any PS4 game to an external USB drive.
How to copy PS4 save data from PS5 system to USB drive
In order to copy save data from PS4 games to the USB drive through the PlayStation 5, you need to take the following steps:
1. First off, you need to connect an external storage drive to the USB port of your PlayStation 5 system.
2. You should also be in the Home Screen, which is the main menu where you can pick which game to open and play.
If you are currently playing a game or using an app, you can get to the Home Screen quickly by pressing and holding the PS button on the DualSense controller.
3. From the Home Screen, you need to get to Settings. You can do so by selecting the gear icon located on the top right corner of the screen, in between the magnifying glass and profile picture.
4. Once you are inside the Settings menu, you need to select Saved Data and Game/App Settings from the list of available options.
5. Once you are Saved Data and Game/App Settings menu, you need to select Saved Data (PS4) on the left side.
6. On the right side of the same Saved Data and Game/App Settings menu, you need to then select the Console Storage option.
7. Inside the Console Storage menu, you need to be in the “Copy to USB Drive” tab. If you are not, you can use the R1 and L1 buttons on your DualSense to get to it.
8. In the “Copy to USB Drive” tab, you will find a list of save data files you can copy over to the USB drive. You have the option to manually select which save data to copy as well as the option to copy every file available.
If you have a lot of save data, you can use the “Sort by” option, which is located to the left of the save data listing. This option has an icon that features a down-pointing arrow with three horizontal parallel lines. In the pop-up “Sort by” menu, you will be able to sort the listing by Last Update, Name or Size.
9. After making your selection, select the Copy option located in the lower right corner to back up your PS4 saves to an external USB storage drive.
How to copy PS4 save data from USB drive to PS5 system
If you want to copy the PS4 save data from the USB drive to the console storage of the PlayStation 5 system, you need to do the following:
1. Make sure the USB drive containing the PS4 save data is plugged into the USB port of your PlayStation 5 console.
2. Go to Settings from the Home Screen.
3. Inside the Settings menu, go to Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
4. Once you are in the Saved Data and Game/App Settings menu, select Saved Data (PS4) from the options available on the left side.
5. On the right side of the same Saved Data and Game/App Settings menu, select USB drive.
6. Inside the USB drive menu, make sure you are in the “Copy to Console Storage” tab. If you are not, you can use the L1 and R1 buttons to navigate to it.
7. In the “Copy to Console Storage” tab, you will see a list of save files you have stored on the external USB drive. Select the data you want to move over to console storage of the PlayStation 5 system.
8. Once you are done with making your selection, select the Copy option located on the bottom right corner of the menu.