PlayStation 5 is backward compatible with most PS4 titles, enabling you to either play them from disc* or download them directly onto its internal Ultra-High Speed SSD storage.
Some PS4 games come equipped with PlayStation5 upgrades that enhance load times and frame rates, enabling faster playback times. To determine compatibility, login into the game account on your PS5 and look at its Game Library home screen for any offers to upgrade it.
Discs
Most PS4 games run smoothly on the PS5, and some may even get upgraded for next-gen consoles like Sony’s own PlayStation5. Both physical discs and digital downloads will operate normally, just as they did before on PS4.
If you used an external hard drive with supported software to store games for your original PlayStation 4, simply unplug and plug it into the new PS5 and enjoy! This process is much quicker than having to redownload all your titles again.
The PlayStation 5 offers backward compatibility for its predecessor, the PS4. This means most PS4 games will run on it and some may receive performance boost due to its new system. Furthermore, your save games from PS4 games can easily be transferred over to it allowing you to pick up from where you left off – an ideal feature for anyone wanting to try the next generation without purchasing entirely new titles.
Digital
PS4 was designed to deliver an engaging gaming experience, featuring high-performance graphics, immersive audio, and social experiences that appeal to a broader audience than its predecessor. Furthermore, versatile parental controls give parents peace of mind as well as access to games suitable for the whole family.
Sony has ensured that PS5 is backward compatible with their PlayStation 4 lineup, fulfilling Sony’s promise that “99% of PS4 games will work on PS5”. Furthermore, many physical and digital PS4 games can be upgraded for free or at reduced costs using their update function to work with PS5.
PS5 also supports synchronizing save data between local PlayStation 4 consoles and PS5 consoles over Wi-Fi or LAN cable, and cloud storage of up to 100GB free with PlayStation Plus membership, making it easy for players to take their games with them on the go without manually moving save files between platforms.
Streaming
Most PS4 games should work on the PlayStation 5, including disc-based titles that require physical media (in some cases they can even be streamed digitally), though older or niche titles may experience problems, like Assassin’s Creed Syndicate having some graphical issues on PlayStation 5.
Players might experience input lag and audio sync issues while gaming. These can often be resolved by reducing streaming resolution/bitrate/wired connection settings as well as making sure no other apps are using bandwidth to play the game.
OBS Studio and capture cards provide advanced features and more control of the encoding process, while native streaming offers more portability. Most PS4 games are playable on PS5, with some receiving graphic upgrades when played through this console.
Remote Play
Most of the more than 4,000 PlayStation 4 games can be enjoyed on a PS5. Simply pop your disc into your console, install, and start playing; updates or patches may need to be downloaded separately. Digital titles can also be transferred using Wi-Fi data transfer or external hard drives compatible with it.
Once transferred, you can access your PS4 game in its Game Library on PS5. Or use Share Play to play together with someone who owns another PS4.
Make sure that both consoles are running the same version of PlayStation 4, are connected to the same WiFi network, and both consoles are signed into the same PlayStation Network account. A stable and high-speed WiFi connection is essential to creating an enjoyable Remote Play experience; wired networks may offer even greater performance benefits. Both consoles should feature compatible DualShock controllers.
