Can You Play PS4 Games on PS5? PS4 Compatibility Explained

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Last Updated On – 10-09-2026

Yes, you can play PS4 games on PS5. The PlayStation 5 is backwards compatible with the overwhelming majority of the PS4 library, meaning thousands of physical and digital PS4 games can still be played after upgrading to Sony’s newer console.

Digital PS4 games can normally be downloaded from your existing PlayStation library, while physical PS4 discs can be inserted into a PS5 equipped with a disc drive.

There are a few important exceptions. A small number of PS4 games are not compatible, physical discs cannot be used on a PS5 without a disc drive, and some features may behave differently when an older game is running on PS5.

For most players, however, moving from PS4 to PS5 does not mean leaving their PS4 games behind.

How Does PS5 Backwards Compatibility Work?

Backwards compatibility allows the PS5 to run software originally developed for the PlayStation 4.

When a compatible PS4 game is installed, the PS5 recognises it as a PS4 title and runs the appropriate version.

You normally do not need to buy the game again.

If you already own a compatible digital PS4 game through your PlayStation account, it should appear in your game library when you sign in on your PS5.

Physical games work slightly differently because the PS4 disc acts as proof that you own the game.

How Do You Play a PS4 Disc on PS5?

Playing a physical PS4 game on PS5 is straightforward when your console has a disc drive.

Insert the PS4 game disc into the PS5.
Allow the console to recognise the game.
Download any required updates.
Install the game if installation is required.
Open the game from the PS5 home screen.
Keep the disc inserted whenever you want to play.

The PS4 disc continues to act as your licence.

Installing the game onto the PS5 does not convert the physical copy into a permanently owned digital version.

Can You Play PS4 Discs on PS5 Digital Edition?

Not if the PS5 has no disc drive.

A disc-less PS5 cannot read physical PS4 Blu-ray discs. You would need a console configuration with a compatible disc drive to use your physical collection.

Digital versions of supported PS4 games can still be downloaded and played normally.

This is an important consideration for anyone upgrading from a PS4 with a large collection of physical games.

How Do You Play Digital PS4 Games on PS5?

Digital PS4 games are normally even easier to access.

Then:

Open Game Library.
Find the PS4 game.
Select the game.
Choose Download.
Wait for installation to finish.
Launch the game.

There is generally no need to repurchase a compatible digital game simply because you have changed consoles.

Are All PS4 Games Compatible With PS5?

No, but the overwhelming majority are.

PS5 backwards compatibility covers thousands of PS4 titles, while only a relatively small group of games have compatibility restrictions.

A game that cannot run through PS5 backwards compatibility may be identified as being playable only on PS4.

There can also be cases where a game technically runs but certain features do not operate exactly as they did on the original console.

This means there is a difference between:

Fully compatible: The game operates normally.

Compatible with limitations: The game works, but particular features or behaviour may differ.

PS4 only: The game cannot be played through PS5 backwards compatibility.

For most mainstream PS4 releases, compatibility is not a major concern.

Do PS4 Games Run Better on PS5?

Some do.

Playing a PS4 game on newer hardware can provide performance benefits, particularly when the game supports unlocked frame rates, dynamic resolution or enhancements that can take advantage of the PS5.

Possible improvements include:

Faster Loading
More Stable Frame Rates
Higher Frame Rates In Supported Games
Improved Dynamic Resolution
Better Overall Performance
Reduced Performance Drops

However, the PS5 does not automatically turn every PS4 game into a modern PS5 title.

The result depends on how the individual game was designed.

What Is PS5 Game Boost?

Game Boost allows selected backwards-compatible PS4 games to take greater advantage of PS5 hardware.

A game that struggled to maintain its target frame rate on PS4 may therefore run more consistently on PS5.

Some games can also reach higher frame rates when their software already allows them to do so.

Game Boost does not mean every PS4 title suddenly receives new graphics, ray tracing or PS5-specific features.

Those improvements generally require a dedicated PS5 version or developer update.

Can PS4 Games Run at 60 FPS on PS5?

Some PS4 games can run at 60 frames per second on PS5, but it depends on the game.

There are several possibilities:

The PS4 game already supported 60 FPS.
The game has an unlocked frame rate that benefits from PS5 hardware.
The developer released a performance patch.
A separate PS5 version provides a 60 FPS mode.

Other PS4 games remain capped at 30 FPS because that limit is built into their software.

More powerful hardware cannot always bypass a developer-imposed frame-rate cap.

Can You Upgrade a PS4 Game to the PS5 Version?

Some games provide a PS5 upgrade.

An upgrade is different from backwards compatibility.

With backwards compatibility, you are still running the PS4 version of the game on PS5.

With an upgrade, you install the dedicated PS5 version.

The PS5 edition may offer features such as:

Higher Resolution
Higher Frame Rates
Faster Loading
Improved Textures
DualSense Features
Enhanced Lighting
PS5-Specific Graphics Modes

Upgrade policies vary considerably between publishers.

Some upgrades are free, some require payment, and other games require players to buy a separate PS5 edition.

Should You Use the PS4 or PS5 Version of a Game?

If both versions are available, the PS5 edition will normally provide the better experience.

However, there are situations where someone may deliberately install the PS4 version.

For example, the PS4 edition may be needed for compatibility with particular saved data, controllers or other features.

Always check which version is installed because it is possible to have both a PS4 and PS5 version of the same game available on the console.

Can You Transfer PS4 Saves to PS5?

Yes. PS4 save files can generally be transferred to PS5.

Common methods include:

Network Transfer

If the PS4 and PS5 are connected to the same network, data can be transferred directly between the consoles.

USB Storage

PS4 save data can be copied to compatible USB storage and then transferred to the PS5.

PlayStation Plus Cloud Storage

Players with an appropriate PlayStation Plus membership can upload PS4 saves to cloud storage and download them on PS5.

However, there is an important distinction.

Moving a PS4 save to the PS4 version running on PS5 is not necessarily the same as moving that save into a dedicated PS5 version of the game.

Cross-generation save transfers depend on the individual game and developer.

Can You Play PS4 Games From an External Hard Drive on PS5?

Yes, compatible PS4 games can be stored and played from USB extended storage on PS5.

This can be particularly useful because PS4 games do not necessarily need to occupy the console’s internal SSD.

Players with large PS4 libraries can therefore keep many older titles on an external drive while saving the PS5’s internal storage for native PS5 games.

It is one of the easiest ways to manage storage when moving a large library from PS4 to PS5.

Can You Transfer Your Entire PS4 Library to PS5?

You can transfer a large amount of your PS4 content, but not everything needs to be copied directly from the old console.

Digital purchases are connected to your PlayStation account.

After signing in on PS5, compatible purchased PS4 games should be available through your library and can be downloaded again.

For games already stored on compatible USB extended storage, connecting that storage to the PS5 can also provide a convenient migration route.

This becomes increasingly useful as the PS4 moves further into its later lifecycle. Players concerned about the older console can read more about whether PS4 servers are shutting down and what Sony’s gradual transition towards PS5 means for PS4 owners.

Can You Use a PS4 Controller to Play PS4 Games on PS5?

Yes. A DualShock 4 controller can be used with supported PS4 games running on PS5.

You can also use the PS5 DualSense controller for many backwards-compatible PS4 titles.

There is an important restriction, though: a DualShock 4 cannot generally be used to play native PS5 games.

So:

Controller	PS4 Game on PS5	Native PS5 Game
DualSense	Yes	Yes
DualShock 4	Yes, for supported PS4 titles	No

Keeping an old PS4 controller can therefore still be useful after upgrading.

Can PS4 and PS5 Players Play Together?

Sometimes.

If a PS5 player is running the PS4 version of a multiplayer game, they may be able to play alongside people still using PS4.

Native PS5 versions can also support cross-generation multiplayer when the developer has built that functionality into the game.

Whether PS4 and PS5 players can join each other therefore depends on the individual title rather than backwards compatibility alone.

Online subscriptions can also matter for paid multiplayer games, although free-to-play titles sometimes work differently. For example, players can check whether Warzone requires PS Plus on PS4 and PS5.

Do You Need PlayStation Plus to Play PS4 Games on PS5?

Not simply to play an offline PS4 game that you already own.

PlayStation Plus may be required when:

Playing Online Multiplayer In A Paid Game
Accessing Games Provided Through A PS Plus Membership
Using Cloud Save Features
Accessing Other Subscription Features

A standard offline backwards-compatible PS4 game does not suddenly require PS Plus merely because it is running on PS5.

Can You Play PS4 Games on PlayStation Portal?

There is an important distinction here.

A PS4 game running on your PS5 can potentially be played through PlayStation Portal using Remote Play.

However, that means:

PS4 game → running on PS5 → streamed to PS Portal

The Portal is not directly installing and running the PS4 game itself.

Cloud Streaming works differently and its supported catalogue has different restrictions. Anyone considering Sony’s handheld device can read how PS Portal works without a PS5.

Are PS4 Trophies Available When Playing on PS5?

Yes. If you play the PS4 version of a game on PS5 using your existing PlayStation account, its PS4 trophy information remains associated with that account.

However, PS4 and PS5 versions of the same title can sometimes use separate trophy lists.

Whether trophies automatically carry between versions depends on how the game has been implemented.

Is It Worth Keeping Your PS4 After Buying a PS5?

For many players, the PS5’s backwards compatibility removes much of the need to keep a PS4 permanently connected.

A PS5 can potentially replace the PS4 for:

Playing Most Existing PS4 Games
Accessing Digital PS4 Purchases
Continuing PS4 Save Files
Playing Supported PS4 Multiplayer Games
Using PS4 Games Stored On USB Storage

Keeping a PS4 may still make sense if you own an incompatible title, need particular older accessories, want a second console or simply prefer retaining the original hardware.

Is PS5 Backwards Compatibility Worth Using?

Yes, particularly for players with an existing PS4 collection.

Instead of beginning again with an entirely new library, PS5 owners can continue playing thousands of older games while gradually adding native PS5 releases.

The ability to use digital purchases, physical discs on compatible hardware, PS4 saves, external USB storage and supported controllers makes the transition considerably easier.

Performance improvements are an additional advantage for games that can make use of the PS5’s more powerful hardware.

FAQs

Can You Put a PS4 Disc in a PS5?

Yes, supported PS4 game discs can be used with a PS5 that has a disc drive. The disc normally needs to remain inserted while playing.

Can You Play PS4 Games on PS5 Digital Edition?

Yes, digital PS4 games can be played on a PS5 without a disc drive. Physical PS4 discs cannot be read unless the PS5 configuration supports and has a compatible disc drive attached.

Do You Have to Buy PS4 Games Again on PS5?

Usually no. Compatible digital PS4 purchases remain linked to the PlayStation account that bought them, while supported physical games can be used from their original discs.

Do PS4 Games Look Better on PS5?

Some can perform better through more stable frame rates, improved loading or Game Boost. However, improvements vary between games.

Can PS4 Games Run at 4K on PS5?

Some PS4 games can output at higher resolutions or use dynamic resolutions that benefit from PS5 hardware. The exact resolution depends on the individual game’s software.

Can You Use a PS4 Controller on PS5?

Yes. DualShock 4 controllers can be used with supported PS4 games running on PS5, but they are not generally supported for native PS5 games.

Will PS4 Save Data Work on PS5?

PS4 save files can generally be transferred to PS5 through network transfer, USB storage or PlayStation Plus cloud storage. Moving progress from a PS4 edition into a separate PS5 edition depends on the game.

Can PS4 and PS5 Players Play Together Online?

Yes, in games that support cross-generation multiplayer. Compatibility varies by title.