Recommended Free Tools
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
You can download a free PS5 or Xbox Series X|S upgrade only when that specific game offers one. On PS5, find the game’s upgrade offer in PlayStation Store and claim it; the offer may be free, paid, or time-limited. On Xbox, supported Smart Delivery titles provide the best available version for your console, with the upgrade free when available. Check the live listing for your game because eligibility and availability vary by title and region.
Before you start: check whether your game has an upgrade
A PS4 game that runs on PS5 does not automatically have a separate PS5 edition. PlayStation says only certain PS4 games can be upgraded, and each title’s offer determines whether the upgrade is free, paid, or time-limited. An internet connection is required. Check the game’s PlayStation Store listing or game hub for the actual offer and terms.
On Xbox, Smart Delivery applies to supported titles, not every Xbox One game. When an upgraded version is available for a supported game, Xbox says it is free. The title and its enhancements must be available for your console and region; check the game listing or publisher’s information.
| What to check | PS4 game to PS5 | Xbox One game to Series X|S |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Only games with a specific PS5 upgrade offer; see the PlayStation upgrade instructions. | Only supported Smart Delivery titles or games whose publisher explicitly offers a Series X|S version; see Xbox’s Optimized for Series X|S page. |
| How you get the version | Review and select the offer in PlayStation Store or the game hub. | For supported Smart Delivery games, Xbox describes the console as receiving the best available version; follow the game listing and console installation or update prompts. |
| Cost | The offer may be free, paid, or time-limited; check the displayed terms. | The upgraded version is free when available for a supported Smart Delivery title. |
| Physical-game requirement | A disc-based upgrade requires a PS5 with a disc drive, and the PS4 disc must be inserted to play the PS5 version. | Not stated in the cited Xbox Smart Delivery guidance; check the specific game’s listing and requirements. |
Download a digital PS4 game’s PS5 upgrade
- Sign in to your PS5 using the PlayStation account that owns the digital PS4 game.
- Search PlayStation Store for the PS5 game, or find the game through Search and open its game hub.
- Select the upgrade offer and review its price, eligibility details, and any time limit shown.
- Select Download if the offer is free, or choose the displayed purchase option if it is paid. Launch the PS5 version after it installs.
A PS4 game redeemed as a PlayStation Plus benefit is not eligible for an upgrade unless the listing says otherwise. If an offer is missing, first verify that you are signed in to the account that owns the game and that the listing actually includes an upgrade.
#1 Best Overall
- Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions through haptic feedback
- Experience varying levels of force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers
- Chat online through the built-in microphone and connect a headset directly through the 3.5mm jack
- Switch voice capture on and off using the dedicated mute button
- Play on more devices using the USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth to connect easily to Windows PC and Mac computers, Android and iOS mobile phones as well as your PlayStation 5
Download a disc-based PS4 game’s PS5 upgrade
- Confirm that the game has a PS5 upgrade offer and that your PS5 has a disc drive. A PS5 Digital Edition cannot use PS4 game discs.
- Sign in, insert the eligible PS4 disc, and open the game’s hub on PS5.
- Select the upgrade offer and review its terms. Choose Download for a free offer or the purchase option shown if a payment is required.
- Keep the PS4 disc inserted whenever you play the digital PS5 version.
The physical disc’s country or region must match the region of your PlayStation account for the upgrade. If the offer does not appear, check that match as well as the game’s eligibility.
Get the Xbox Series X|S version of a supported game
For a supported Smart Delivery title, Xbox says the console gets the best available version for the device in use, and the upgraded version is free when available. Smart Delivery availability and game enhancements vary by title and region. Check the game’s listing for the Smart Delivery icon or confirm with the publisher that a Series X|S version is available where you are.
Rank #2
- Haptic feedback - Feel physically responsive feedback to your in-game actions with dual actuators which replace traditional rumble motors. In your hands, these dynamic vibrations can simulate the feeling of everything from environments to the recoil of different weapons. .Operating temperature : 41 °F to 95 °F (5 °C to 35 °C)
- Adaptive triggers - Experience varying levels of force and tension as you interact with your in-game gear and environments. From pulling back an increasingly tight bowstring to hitting the brakes on a speeding car, feel physically connected to your on-screen actions.
- Built-in microphone and headset jack - Chat with friends online using the built-in microphone or by connecting a headset to the 3.5mm jack. Easily switch voice capture on and off at a moment’s notice with the dedicated mute button. Internet and account for PlayStation Network required.
- DualSense Controller PS5 and PC compatible. Not compatible with PS4.
- PS Remote Play requires Remote Play App connected to Wi-Fi, PS4 or PS5 console with the latest system software and compatible game. A PS4 or PS5 console with a wired connection via a LAN cable is recommended. Version 4.0 of the Remote Play App on iOS and iPadOS or version 4.1 on macOS is required for games to be playable with the controller over Bluetooth.
Xbox’s guidance does not establish one universal sequence of menu selections for every game. Use the game listing and follow the installation or update prompts shown on your console rather than assuming every Xbox One title will upgrade or that every game uses the same manual process. Xbox’s Smart Delivery glossary explains that supported titles detect the Xbox device in use and deliver the best available version.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choose the right version and fix common problems
The PS5 launches or downloads the PS4 version
If both PS4 and PS5 versions are available, open the game’s item in Game Library, use its options menu, and select which version to download or play. Check the version label before launching.
Rank #3
- Bring gaming worlds to life - Feel your in-game actions and environment simulated through haptic feedback*. Experience varying force and tension at your fingertips with adaptive triggers*
- Find your voice, share your passion - Chat online through the built-in microphone. Connect a headset directly via the 3.5mm jack. Record and broadcast your epic gaming moments with the create button
- A gaming icon in your hands - Enjoy a comfortable, evolved design with an iconic layout and enhanced sticks. Hear higher-fidelity** sound effects through the built-in speaker in supported games
- Multi-device connectivity - Connect using a USB Type-C cable or Bluetooth technology and easily play on more devices including Windows PC and Mac computers.
- Elevate PC gaming with advanced features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers in a range of blockbuster PC titles.
The PS5 upgrade offer is missing
- Check that the specific game has a PS5 upgrade offer; not every PS4 title does.
- For a digital game, sign in to the account that owns it. A PlayStation Plus redemption is not eligible unless the listing says otherwise.
- Confirm the console is online and check the live store offer for any price or eligibility terms.
- For a disc game, confirm that the PS5 has a disc drive and that the disc’s country or region matches your account region.
A PS4 disc will not work on your PS5
This is a hardware limitation, not a download error: a PS4 disc requires a PS5 with a disc drive. PlayStation’s backward-compatibility guidance also explains that PS4 discs do not work on PS5 Digital Edition consoles.
You can play the PS4 game but cannot find a PS5 edition
PS5 supports the overwhelming majority of PS4 games, though some games or features may have limitations. Backward compatibility means playing the PS4 game on PS5; it does not guarantee that a distinct PS5 version exists or that an upgrade is free. See PlayStation’s list and compatibility guidance.
Rank #4
- 👉️【Usage Notes】When using the gamepad for the first time, it needs to be connected to the PS5 console via a USB-C cable（It must be the data cable included in the package or the original data cable）, and then press the Home button to activate it. If your controller has any functional issues, please use this url to update the firmware: we.tl/t-yAwofXJL9YOyyq3K !!! The gamepad is only compatible with PS5 series consoles and Windows PCs, and it is not compatible with PS4.
- 👋【Quick Connection & One - click Wake - up】 You can connect to the PS5 console by pressing the HOME button on the controller. When connecting to the console for the first time, you need to use a data cable. It also supports use on computers with Windows operating systems.
- 🎮️【Controller with Sound】 The controller is capable of producing sound, providing an immersive gaming experience. Please note that the controller is only equipped with a speaker and has no microphone. If you want to use the microphone fuacnction, please use an external headset. It is equipped with a 3.5mm TRRS headphone jack（not compatible with Apple headphones.）
- 🌈【Customizable Colors】Press the Lighting button to switch colors and light effect modes with one click. It features a color memory function, ensuring that the next time you use it, it will still be the color you prefer.
- 🕹️【High - Precision Joysticks】Equipped with upgraded joysticks, these effectively reduce the joystick dead zone and extend the controller's service life.
The Xbox version or enhancements differ from what you expected
Smart Delivery is limited to supported games, and the available enhancements vary by title. Check the game’s listing or publisher information for the Series X|S version and the features available in your region.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsQuick Recap
Best Value
- Enjoy precise, comfortable control over 10,000+ supported Steam games.
- Easily pair the controller directly to your Windows PC via Bluetooth or play as you charge with the included USB Type-C cable
- Stay paired with up to four different Bluetooth devices, making it easy to enjoy the controller across Windows PC, Mac, PS5 consoles and smartphones. Discover more connection tips and tricks at playstation.com/pair-dualsense
- Access the latest available controller firmware directly from your PC with the free-todownload PlayStation Accessories app
- Play games streamed from your PS5 or PS4 console to your PC via the PS Remote Play App
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
