While the PS4 may no longer be Sony’s latest console, it still has a loyal following. Whether it’s used alongside a PS5 or remains the primary gaming device, the PS4 continues to offer a solid experience. However, as the console ages, it becomes increasingly important to protect your game data from potential corruption or hardware failure.
To help ensure your data is safe, backing up your PS4 is a wise move. Below, we’ll guide you through the steps to back up and restore your PS4 data, so you’re prepared for any unexpected issues.
And if you’ve upgraded to a PS5, check out our guides on how to factory reset your PS5 or back up your PS5 data.
What You Need to Back Up Your PS4
Backing up your PS4 is essential, not only for preventing data loss but also when upgrading your hard drive, selling the console, or transitioning to a new system.
Prepare Your External Storage
You’ll need a USB drive formatted to EXFAT or FAT32 with enough space for your backup. You can easily format the drive using a Windows PC or Mac.
Sync Your Trophies Manually
Trophies aren’t included in your backup, so sync them manually:
- Go to Trophies from the PS4 home screen.
- Press the Options button.
- Select Sync with PlayStation Network.
How to Back Up Your PS4 Data
Once your trophies are synced and your USB drive is ready:
- Insert the USB drive into your PS4.
- Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore.
- Select Back Up.
- Choose the data to back up and confirm.
- Add a description for your backup file and select Back Up.
Your PS4 will estimate the completion time. When done, remove the USB drive and store it safely.
How to Restore PS4 Data
To restore your data:
- Insert the USB drive with the backup file into your PS4.
- Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore.
- Select Restore PS4.
- Choose the backup file and press X to restore.
- The PS4 will restart, and the restore process will begin, resetting your system to match the backup file’s contents.
