How to back up and restore PS4 console data

Use the Backup and Restore option to easily back up all PlayStation®4 console data, including saved data and user profile data.

Do not turn off your PS4® console while backing up data. Doing this may cause data loss or corruption, or damage to your PS4 console or USB drive.

How to back up your PS4 console data

To back up data you need an FAT32 or exFAT-formatted USB drive with at least double the storage space of the PS4 backup file. If you don't have enough space to back up everything on your device, you can choose not to back up application data.

  1. Select Trophies from the function screen, press the OPTIONS button, and select Sync Trophies. 
  2. Insert the USB drive into your PS4 console. 
  3. Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore. 
  4. Select Back Up.
    Confirm which data you'd like to back up. It is important to back up saved data to avoid losing any game progress. 
  5. Customize the backup file name and select Back Up. 
  6. Remove the USB drive.

Please note, users who have never signed in can restore saved data to only the original PS4 console that was backed up. To restore saved data to another PS4 console, you must sign in before backing up data. 

How to restore your PS4 console data

When restoring data, your PS4 console erases all data saved on your console. This can't be undone, even if you cancel the restore operation. Make sure you don't erase any important data by mistake. 

  1. Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore. 
  2. Insert the USB drive that contains the backup into your PS4 console. 
  3. Select Restore PS4. 
  4. Select the backup file you'd like to restore.
  5. Select Yes to restore.

PS4 console data you can back up

Backing up your data regularly is a great way to ensure that important data is saved. You can back up the following types of data saved to a USB drive.

  • Games and apps
  • Saved data
  • Screenshots and video clips
  • Settings

All user data saved on your PS4 console (excluding trophies) is included in the backup data. When you restore your backup data, your PS4 console is reset, and all data saved on your console is erased.

If you want to return data without restoring your console, use USB extended storage or cloud storage.

PS4 console USB extended storage
PS4 console online storage

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