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To play a physical PS4 game on PS5, insert its disc into a compatible PS5 with a disc drive, let the game install, then launch it from Games home. Keep the disc inserted whenever you play: copying or installing game data does not turn a disc purchase into a disc-free digital one. You do not need to run a PS4-to-PS5 data transfer just to install the game. Saved progress and optional PS5-version upgrades are separate matters.
What does “transfer a PS4 physical game” mean?
People use “transfer” to mean a few different things. For a disc-owned PS4 game, the straightforward route is to install it directly on a disc-capable PS5. A console-to-console transfer is optional and is mainly useful for eligible data such as saves; Sony still tells disc-game owners to insert the game disc in the destination console to install the game.
Keep these four parts separate:
- The disc authenticates a disc-owned game. You need it in the PS5 to play, even if the game has been installed or upgraded.
- Installed game data can be installed from the disc, or—in the case of compatible PS4 games—run from existing USB extended storage.
- Saved progress transfers separately by network, USB save transfer, or optional PlayStation Plus cloud storage.
- A PS5-version upgrade is an optional, game-specific offer. It is not automatic for every PS4 disc and does not remove the disc requirement.
Sony’s console-transfer guidance states: “For disc-based games, insert the disc into your destination console to install the game.”
This distinction resolves several common questions. “Can I put my PS4 disc in my PS5?” is a compatibility and installation question. “Can I play without the disc afterward?” is a licensing question; for a disc-owned copy, the disc remains necessary. “How do I bring over my progress?” is a save-transfer question. Those are separate tasks, and performing one does not automatically complete the others.
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Can my PS5 read PS4 game discs?
Yes, if your PS5 has a working disc drive and the particular game is compatible. Sony says the overwhelming majority of PS4 games work on PS5, but compatibility is not universal and some games may have missing features or unexpected behavior. Check the game’s PlayStation listing and Sony’s PS5 backward-compatibility information before relying on a specific title.
The current US support page lists more than 4,000 PS4 games and describes compatibility as covering the overwhelming majority. Separately, Sony said in its 2020 PS5 launch FAQ that more than 99% of 4,000-plus PS4 games were playable. That percentage is a historical 2020 statement, not a new 2026 compatibility measurement.
Check the console model if it is a Digital Edition
The original PS5 Digital Edition in the CFI-1000 model group cannot read discs. Sony’s separately sold CFI-ZDD1-series PlayStation Disc Drive is compatible only with specified CFI-2000/7000 model-group consoles, and its initial pairing requires an internet connection. Verify the exact console model before buying an add-on drive. A generic external USB disc drive is not a substitute.
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This is the main hardware decision: a built-in disc drive means you can proceed with the game disc; a compatible CFI-2000/7000 model may use the specified add-on drive; an original CFI-1000 Digital Edition cannot use discs or that add-on. If your console cannot accept a supported drive, disc installation is not available on that console. Buying a USB optical drive does not solve the limitation.
How do I install and play a PS4 disc game on PS5?
You need a compatible game disc and a PS5 that can read it. A working internet connection may be needed to download a game update or an optional PS5-version upgrade, but it is not required to copy the basic installed game data from the disc.
- Confirm the game and console are compatible. Check Sony’s compatibility information for the title and confirm the PS5 has a supported disc drive.
- Insert the PS4 game disc. The PS5 installs a disc game automatically on first use. Allow any requested game update to download and install.
- Launch the game. Select its game hub from Games home after installation.
- Leave the disc in the drive while playing. The disc remains the license check for the disc-owned game; installation does not make it a digital copy.
For a two-disc game: Sony’s installation instructions say to insert the data disc first, then switch to the play disc when prompted. Leave the play disc inserted for play. See Sony’s disc-game installation steps.
Once installation is complete, use the game hub on Games home to start the title. If the console requests an update, allow for that download separately from the disc installation. A downloaded update does not change the ownership check: the disc remains required at play time. The same principle applies if you later move the installed PS4 game data to compatible USB extended storage.
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If installation is your only goal, this is all you need to do: check compatibility, insert the disc and let the PS5 install it. You do not need to copy the game over a network from the PS4 first, buy a save-transfer drive, or subscribe to PlayStation Plus. Those options address different needs.
Do I need to transfer the PS4 installation from my old console?
No. For a physical PS4 game, inserting its disc in the PS5 is the direct installation method. A network transfer can copy eligible data, but it does not replace the disc or eliminate the need to install the disc game on the destination console.
If you do want to transfer eligible data from the old PS4, Sony’s process is:
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- Connect both consoles to the same network. Sony says using a LAN cable can speed the transfer when the consoles normally use Wi-Fi.
- During initial PS5 setup, follow the data-transfer prompts. If the PS5 is already set up, go to Settings > System > System Software > Data Transfer > Continue.
- Do not turn off either console or change network settings while the transfer is running.
After initial setup, PS4 save transfer is limited to saves belonging to the signed-in user. For disc games, insert the game disc in the PS5 separately to install and play the game. See Sony’s PS4-to-PS5 transfer instructions.
Use this route when you have other eligible data to move or prefer to transfer saves as part of moving to the new console. The old PS4 is needed for a direct console transfer, and both consoles must be available on the same network. A LAN cable is an optional way to speed the transfer if your normal connection is Wi-Fi; it is not a requirement for installing a disc game. Do not interrupt the consoles or alter the network setup while the transfer is underway.
If you no longer have access to the PS4, the direct console-to-console option is not available, but a save you previously copied to USB or uploaded to PlayStation Plus cloud storage may still be available through that method. In every case, having a save on the PS5 does not provide the game license. You still need the disc for a disc-owned game, or the corresponding digital license if you own a digital copy.
How can I move PS4 saves without a console transfer?
Choose a save-transfer method based on what you have available. None of these methods installs or authenticates a physical game disc.
| Method | What you need | How it works | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Console data transfer | Both consoles, the same PlayStation account, and a shared network | Use the setup prompts or the PS5 Data Transfer menu | After PS5 setup, the transfer is limited to the signed-in user’s PS4 saves; disc games still need their discs |
| USB save copy | An ordinary USB storage device and access to the PS4 | Copy selected saves on PS4, then copy them to the PS5 | A USB save drive is not a game disc or an installed-game drive; copying a save may replace an existing save for that game |
| PlayStation Plus cloud storage | A PlayStation Plus membership and internet access | Upload the PS4 save, then manually download it to PS5 console storage | Optional subscription route; cloud saves do not install the game |
The options differ by purpose and equipment. Network transfer is convenient when both consoles are available and you are moving eligible data. USB is useful when you can copy the desired saves from the PS4 and want to carry them to the PS5 without using cloud storage. Cloud storage avoids carrying a physical save drive, but requires PlayStation Plus and an internet connection, and the PS4 save must be downloaded manually to PS5 console storage. None is required just to install a PS4 disc.
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Copy saves with an ordinary USB drive
On PS4, open Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage > Copy to USB Storage Device. Select the game and save files, then copy them. Sony’s PS5 transfer guidance explains that saves on the USB drive can then be copied to the destination PS5; a copied save may replace an existing save for that game. For Sony’s storage-management instructions, see Manage PS4 storage space.
Pay attention to the copy prompt on the PS5, especially if there is already a save for the same game: Sony warns that copying can replace an existing save. The USB device in this procedure is carrying save files. It is not a substitute for the PS4 disc, and it is not automatically the same thing as a drive formatted for extended game storage.
Download a cloud save to PS5
PlayStation Plus members can upload PS4 saves to cloud storage and download them on PS5. On PS5, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS4) > Download or Delete from Cloud Storage. Sony notes that PS4 cloud saves must be manually downloaded to PS5 console storage. Details are on Sony’s PS Plus cloud-storage page.
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Can I run PS4 games from a USB drive?
Yes. If your PS4 games are already installed on compatible USB extended storage, Sony says you can connect that drive to PS5 and run PS4 games directly from it. This is different from an ordinary USB drive used to carry save files.
Sony specifies a SuperSpeed USB connection of 5 Gbps or later and storage capacity of 250 GB to 8 TB for PS5 USB extended storage, while noting that not every device is guaranteed to work. A PS4 extended-storage drive already in use does not need to be reformatted for this purpose. Formatting a different drive as extended storage erases its contents, so back up anything important first. The disc is still required to authenticate a disc-owned game. See Sony’s PS5 extended-storage guidance.
There are two separate USB use cases, and mixing them up can lead to mistakes. An ordinary USB device can carry selected PS4 saves between consoles. A compatible extended-storage drive carries installed PS4 game data and can be connected to the PS5 so those PS4 games run from the drive. The game data does not include a disc license, so a physical copy still needs its disc in the PS5’s drive.
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If you are considering using a different drive for extended storage, check the stated capacity and SuperSpeed USB specification before relying on it. Sony does not guarantee every device will work. Formatting the drive as extended storage erases what is already on it; do not format a drive with files you need to keep. By contrast, Sony says an existing PS4 extended-storage drive can be connected without reformatting.
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Can a PS4 disc upgrade to a PS5 version?
Some PS4 games have an optional PS5-version upgrade, but availability and terms vary by title. An offer may be free, paid, or time-limited, and requires an internet connection. Check the current offer for the specific game rather than assuming an upgrade is included.
- Sign in to the PS5 and insert the PS4 game disc.
- Open the PS4 game’s hub and review the upgrade offer.
- Download or purchase the PS5 version as the offer allows.
- Keep inserting the PS4 disc whenever you play the downloaded PS5 version.
For a disc upgrade, the PS4 disc must match the country or region of the PlayStation account. The PS5 Game Library’s version menu can help distinguish the PS4 and PS5 editions. Sony’s PS4-to-PS5 game-upgrade page has the official process.
The upgrade is a title-specific choice, not a required step in transferring a physical game. If you only want to play the PS4 version on PS5, install and launch that version instead. If you choose the PS5 edition, review the offer displayed for the game: the terms may involve a payment or a time limit, and the upgrade requires internet access. Do not assume that a particular title has a free upgrade based on another game’s offer.
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An upgrade also does not convert the physical purchase into an unrestricted digital copy. Even after downloading the PS5 version, you must insert the qualifying PS4 disc each time you play. This remains true if the upgraded game’s files are installed on the console or otherwise moved: the disc is still the authentication for the disc-owned copy.
Will my PS4 save appear in the PS5 version?
Not necessarily. Transferring a PS4 save to the PS5 console is different from importing that save into a separate PS5 edition of the game. Support for moving progress between editions varies by game and developer, so check the title’s instructions before deleting the PS4 installation or assuming the PS5 version will recognize your progress.
Think of save transfer and save migration as two steps. First, the save must be transferred to the PS5 console by network, USB, or cloud storage. Then the game’s PS5 edition must support importing that PS4 save. Sony says that second step depends on the title. A save being present on the console therefore does not prove that a separate PS5 version will load it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which transfer method should I use?
| Your goal | Best-fit route | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Play the PS4 disc on PS5 | Insert the disc into a compatible PS5 and install it | No console transfer, subscription, or storage accessory is needed for basic installation; keep the disc for play |
| Bring progress from your PS4 | Use console transfer, a USB save copy, or PlayStation Plus cloud storage | These move saves, not the disc license; cloud storage requires membership and a manual PS5 download |
| Reuse installed PS4 games on USB | Connect the compatible PS4 extended-storage drive to PS5 | Check the USB and capacity requirements; the disc is still needed for disc-owned games |
| Play a PS5 edition | Review the specific game’s upgrade offer | Offers may be free, paid, or time-limited; a disc upgrade needs a matching account region and still requires the disc |
| Use a Digital Edition console | Check the exact model for supported drive compatibility | Original CFI-1000 Digital Edition cannot use discs or the specified add-on drive |
For accessories and costs, the basic disc-install route has no extra hardware requirement if your PS5 already has a working drive. A model-compatible CFI-ZDD1-series PlayStation Disc Drive is sold separately for supported CFI-2000/7000 consoles, but it is not compatible with the original CFI-1000 Digital Edition. A USB extended-storage drive, USB save device, or Ethernet LAN cable is only relevant if you choose that specific storage or transfer route. PlayStation Plus cloud storage requires a membership. Exact prices and availability can vary, so check the current product or service listing; none of these optional purchases is needed simply to install a disc on a disc-capable PS5.
- You only want to play the disc game: Insert it into a compatible PS5 and install it. Skip the console data transfer.
- You want your existing progress: Transfer the save by network, USB, or PlayStation Plus cloud storage, then install the game from its disc.
- Your PS4 games are on USB extended storage: Connect the compatible drive to the PS5; retain the disc for any disc-owned title.
- You want the PS5 edition: Look for that game’s current upgrade offer, check its cost or terms, and confirm whether the game supports importing its PS4 save.
- Your PS5 is an original CFI-1000 Digital Edition: It cannot use discs or the specified add-on drive. For disc play, use a disc-capable console instead.
The key distinction is simple: move saves or installed files only when you need to; use the disc to install and authenticate a physical copy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a PS4 disc game to PS5 and then sell or give away the disc?
No. The installed files are not a standalone license for a disc-owned copy. Whoever plays that copy on PS5 needs the disc available to authenticate it.
Do I need a PS4-to-PS5 network transfer to install a physical game?
No. Insert the compatible PS4 disc into a disc-capable PS5 and let the console install it. A network transfer is optional and is mainly useful for eligible data such as saved progress.
Can I play a PS4 disc on the original PS5 Digital Edition?
No. The original CFI-1000 Digital Edition cannot read discs and cannot use the CFI-ZDD1-series add-on drive. The specified add-on drive supports only compatible CFI-2000/7000 model-group consoles; verify your exact model before buying.
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Will the game keep working if I remove the disc after installing it?
No. For a disc-owned copy, the disc must remain inserted whenever you play, including after an optional PS5-version upgrade.
Can I transfer a PS4 save without moving the game?
Yes. Saves can be copied to an ordinary USB storage device, transferred through the console data-transfer process, or uploaded to PlayStation Plus cloud storage and downloaded to the PS5. Save transfer does not install the game or replace its disc.
Why is my PS4 save missing from the PS5 edition even though I transferred it?
A transferred save can be present on the PS5 console but still not be importable into the game’s separate PS5 edition. Save migration between editions depends on the game and its developer; check that title’s instructions.
Can I format my old PS4 USB drive as extended storage on PS5 without losing files?
Formatting a drive as extended storage erases its contents. An existing drive already used as PS4 extended storage does not need reformatting just to connect it to PS5.
Does every PS4 game work on PS5, or have a free PS5 upgrade?
No. Sony says the overwhelming majority of PS4 games are compatible, but there are exceptions and some titles may have missing features or unexpected behavior. PS5-version upgrades are separate, game-specific offers that may be free, paid, or time-limited.
Can I use a generic external USB disc drive with a PS5 Digital Edition?
No. A generic USB disc drive is not a substitute for a supported PlayStation Disc Drive. The CFI-ZDD1-series add-on is limited to compatible CFI-2000/7000 consoles, not the original CFI-1000 Digital Edition.
The Bottom Line
For a physical PS4 game, the simplest transfer is usually no transfer at all: put the compatible disc in a PS5 that can read it, install the game, and keep the disc inserted whenever you play. Move saved progress separately if needed, and check the exact console model and game-specific upgrade terms before buying hardware or expecting a PS5-version save import.
