Can You Play PS4 Games on PS5?
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Yes, you can play PS4 games on PS5. Sony states that more than 99% of the 4,000+ PS4 games are playable on PS5, covering digital purchases and physical discs when the console has a compatible disc drive.
For most players, moving from PS4 to PS5 does not mean starting their game library again. Existing digital purchases can appear in the PS5 Game Library, supported PS4 discs can be installed on disc-capable models, and selected games can run more smoothly through PS5 Game Boost.
How Do You Play PS4 Disc Games on PS5?
On a PS5 with a disc drive, insert the PS4 disc, select the game from the Games home screen and install any required update. The disc needs to remain inserted whenever the game is played because it verifies ownership.
The PS5 model matters. The original CFI-1000 Digital Edition cannot play discs. Newer PS5 Digital Edition slim models in the CFI-2000 and CFI-2100 groups can use Sony’s separately sold Disc Drive. PS5 Pro consoles in the CFI-7000 group can also support the detachable drive. An internet connection is required when initially pairing the drive with the console.
How Do You Play Digital PS4 Games on PS5?
Playing a digitally purchased PS4 game is straightforward:
- Sign in to the PS5 using the PlayStation account that owns the game
- Open Game Library from the Games home screen
- Find the PS4 game
- Select Download
- Wait for installation and launch the game
Digital games and game data can also be transferred from a PS4 to PS5 using network data transfer.
If compatible PS4 games are already installed on a supported USB extended storage drive, players can connect the drive to the PS5 and access those games without reinstalling them onto the internal SSD.
Which PS4 Games Do Not Work on PS5?
The list of incompatible games is extremely small.
PlayStation’s current support page identifies 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
- Shadwen
PlayStation says this list is subject to change. Incompatible games on the PlayStation Store are marked “Playable on: PS4 only”, making it worth checking the store listing before buying an older title specifically for PS5.
Do PS4 Games Run Better on PS5?
Some PS4 games can perform better on PS5. PS5 Game Boost gives selected PS4 games access to additional console power, which can produce higher or more stable frame rates.
PlayStation also says selected games may benefit from faster loading, while PS4 Pro enhancements such as improved graphics, resolution and performance can remain available when playing on PS5.
However, backwards compatibility should not be confused with a native PS5 version. A PS4 game running through backwards compatibility may still use its original PS4 feature set.
A dedicated PS5 edition can offer more substantial improvements depending on the game, including enhanced graphics, higher frame rates or other PS5-specific features.
Can You Upgrade a PS4 Game to the PS5 Version?
Some PS4 games offer an upgrade to a digital PS5 version.
Depending on the publisher and game, the upgrade may be:
- Free
- Available for an additional charge
- Discounted
- Available only for a limited period
PlayStation confirms that upgrade conditions vary between games.
For a physical PS4 game, upgrading requires a PS5 with a compatible disc drive. Even after the PS5 edition has been downloaded, the original PS4 disc normally needs to remain inserted when launching the upgraded game.
Digital PS4 games can be upgraded through the game’s hub when an eligible offer is available.
PS4 games obtained through PlayStation Plus are not automatically eligible for PS5 upgrades unless PlayStation or the publisher specifically states otherwise.
Can You Transfer PS4 Save Data to PS5?
Yes. Players moving to a PS5 can transfer compatible PS4 save data rather than beginning every game again.
PlayStation supports several methods, including:
- Console-to-console network transfer
- USB storage
- PlayStation Plus cloud storage
PlayStation Plus members can download compatible PS4 saved data from cloud storage to their PS5, while PS4 save files can also be copied using USB storage.
However, transferring a PS4 save into a separate native PS5 edition can depend on the individual game. Players upgrading versions should therefore check the developer’s save-transfer requirements first.
Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5?
Yes, but there is an important limitation.
The DualShock 4 controller works with supported PS4 games played on PS5. Certain officially licensed third-party PS4 controllers are also compatible with supported PS4 software.
Native PS5 games require a DualSense wireless controller.
This means older DualShock 4 controllers can still be useful after upgrading to a PS5, particularly for multiplayer PS4 games or an existing backwards-compatible library.
Can You Play PS4 Games From an External Hard Drive on PS5?
Yes. Compatible PS4 games can be stored and played directly from supported USB extended storage on a PS5. This can help preserve internal SSD space for newer PS5 games.
PS5 games work differently. They can be stored on USB extended storage, but they need to be transferred back to the console’s internal SSD or compatible M.2 SSD storage before being played.
For anyone with a large PS4 collection, keeping older games on external storage can therefore be one of the easiest ways to manage PS5 storage.
Has Anything Changed for PS4 Games on PS5 in 2026?
PS5 backwards compatibility remains available, but PlayStation Plus has shifted further towards PS5 games in 2026.
Starting in January 2026, Sony said PS4 games would no longer be a key benefit of PlayStation Plus Monthly Games and the Game Catalog. PS4 titles may instead be offered occasionally as Sony focuses more heavily on PS5 content.
This does not remove PS4 Monthly Games that members previously redeemed. Sony says those games remain accessible while the relevant PlayStation Plus membership remains active. PS4 games included in the Game Catalog can also continue to be played until they leave the catalogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Every PS4 Game Be Played on PS5?
No. More than 99% of PS4 games are supported, but PlayStation still lists a small number of PS4-only titles that cannot be played on PS5.
Can You Put a PS4 Disc in a PS5?
Yes, provided the PS5 has a compatible disc drive. Insert the PS4 disc, install the game and keep the disc inserted whenever playing it.
Can You Play PS4 Games on PS5 Digital Edition?
Yes. Digital PS4 games can be downloaded and played on PS5 Digital Edition. Compatible newer Digital Edition models can also use Sony’s optional detachable disc drive.
Do You Have to Buy PS4 Games Again for PS5?
Usually not. Compatible digital games already attached to the player’s PlayStation account can be downloaded from Game Library. Compatible physical games can also be used on a PS5 equipped with a suitable disc drive.
Can You Transfer PS4 Saves to PS5?
Yes. Compatible PS4 saved data can be transferred through network transfer, USB storage or PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
Can PS4 and PS5 Players Play Together?
Yes, in supported games. PlayStation states that players using a multiplayer PS4 game on PS5 through backwards compatibility can play with users of the same PS4 game on PS4. Individual games may still have their own online requirements.
Is It Worth Keeping PS4 Games After Buying a PS5?
Yes. For most players, buying a PS5 does not make an existing PS4 collection obsolete. More than 99% of the PS4 library remains compatible, digital purchases can be downloaded through Game Library, physical games work with disc-capable PS5 systems, and selected titles can gain performance benefits through Game Boost.
