Can PS4 Games Be Played on PS5 Full Guide?

The PlayStation 5 is one of the most powerful gaming consoles in the world. When Sony released the PS5, many players had one big question in mind: “Can PS4 games be played on PS5?” This question is important because millions of people already own PS4 games. Nobody wants to lose access to the games they love after buying a new console.

The good news is that yes, in most cases, PS4 games can be played on the PS5. This feature is called backward compatibility. It means a new console can run games from an older console. Sony made sure that PS5 users can still enjoy their PS4 game library.

This article explains everything in simple words: how it works, which games work, how to install them, benefits, issues, solutions, and more.

Table of Contents

What Does Backward Compatibility Mean?

Backward compatibility means your PS5 can run PS4 games. You do not need to buy those games again. You can use your PS4 game discs or digital copies on the PS5. Sony designed the PS5 so that it recognizes PS4 games and plays them smoothly.

This feature helps gamers save money and continue enjoying old games. Many people have large collections of PS4 games. With backward compatibility, they can still use those games, even after upgrading to PS5.

Can All PS4 Games Be Played on PS5?

Sony has confirmed that most PS4 games work on PS5. More than 4,000 PS4 games are supported. Only a very small number of PS4 games do not work on PS5.

Sony listed a few PS4 games that are not supported. These are less than 10 games, which means the percentage is very small. For example:

DWVR
Just Deal With It!
Afro Samurai 2
Hitman Go: Definitive Edition
Shadwen

Except for such rare titles, almost every popular PS4 game works perfectly.

How to Play PS4 Game Discs on PS5

If you own a standard PS5 with a disc drive, you can play PS4 discs easily.

Here are the steps:

Insert the PS4 game disc into the PS5 disc slot.
The console will read the disc and install the game.
Once installed, you can start playing.
The disc must stay in the PS5 because the game checks for the disc.

Important:
This works only on the PS5 with disc drive.
The PS5 Digital Edition does NOT support discs.

How to Play PS4 Digital Games on PS5

If you bought PS4 games from the PlayStation Store, you can also download them on your PS5.

Steps:

Sign in to the same PlayStation account you used on your PS4.
Go to the Game Library on your PS5.
Find your PS4 digital games.
Download the games you want.
After download, you can play them normally.

This is simple and free. You do not need to buy the game again.

Can PS5 Upgrade PS4 Games? (Game Boost)

Yes, the PS5 has a feature called Game Boost. This feature improves the performance of many PS4 games.

With Game Boost, PS4 games may run:

Faster
Smoother
With higher frame rates
With fewer loading times

Some PS4 games even load twice as fast on PS5.

Examples of PS4 games that benefit from Game Boost:

Ghost of Tsushima
God of War (2018)
Days Gone
The Last of Us Remastered
Final Fantasy XV

This means your old games can feel new and upgraded.

Can You Use PS4 Save Data on PS5?

In many cases, yes. You can transfer your PS4 save data to your PS5. This allows you to continue your progress from where you left off.

There are several ways to do this:

A. Cloud Saves (PS Plus Required)

If you have PlayStation Plus, your saves may already be in the cloud.

Steps:

Log in to your PS5.
Go to Settings → Saved Data → Cloud Storage.
Download your PS4 saves.

B. Transfer via Wi-Fi or LAN Cable

You can connect your PS4 and PS5 to the same network and transfer data directly.

C. Use USB Drive

Copy the save file from PS4 to a USB stick and move it to PS5.

Note:
Some games require a separate “PS5 version” and may not support cross-save.

PS4 Games That Have Free PS5 Upgrades

Some PS4 games offer a free upgrade to the PS5 version. This means you can play a more advanced version without paying extra.

Examples:

Fortnite
Cyberpunk 2077
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
FIFA (some versions)
Call of Duty: Warzone
Borderlands 3
The Witcher 3 (next-gen upgrade)

Not all games offer free upgrades. Some require payment.

PSVR (PlayStation VR) on PS5

PS4 VR games can be played on PS5, but you need the right equipment.

You will need:

PS VR headset
PS4 camera
PS camera adapter (Sony provides this free)
PS Move controllers (for some games)

Once you set up everything, most PS VR games will run smoothly.

Benefits of Playing PS4 Games on PS5

There are many benefits:

A. Saves Money

You don’t need to buy new versions of old games.

B. Faster Loading

The PS5 SSD is extremely fast, reducing loading times dramatically.

C. Better Graphics and Performance

Thanks to Game Boost, some PS4 games look and run better.

D. Large Game Library

You get access to thousands of games on Day 1.

E. You Don’t Lose Old Games

Your PS4 game collection is still useful.

Issues You May Face and Simple Solutions

Even though most PS4 games work smoothly, a few issues can happen.

A. Game Does Not Start

Try updating the game or the PS5 system software.

B. Game Graphics Look Wrong

Restart the console or reinstall the game.

C. Save Data Not Working

Check if the game supports cross-save.

D. Disc Not Reading

Make sure the disc is clean and insert it correctly.

Can You Use PS4 Controllers on PS5?

Yes, but with limits.

You can use PS4 controllers to play PS4 games on PS5.
You cannot use PS4 controllers to play PS5 games.

This is because PS5 games require the DualSense features.

Difference Between PS4 and PS5 Versions of Games

PS5 versions usually have:

Better graphics
Faster loading
Higher frame rates
Improved effects
Better lighting
3D audio
Haptic feedback support (DualSense)

PS4 versions still work, but PS5 versions offer more advanced results.

Should You Keep Your PS4 After Buying PS5?

This depends on your needs.

Reasons to Keep PS4:

You want a second console for another room
You want to play games with family at the same time
You want to use PS4 as backup

Reasons to Sell PS4:

You no longer need it
All your games work on PS5
You want to recover some money

Most people keep the PS4 because it still works well with PS5.

Online Multiplayer for PS4 Games on PS5

If you are playing PS4 games on PS5, you can still join PS4 players online. The game servers do not separate PS4 and PS5 players.

This is good because you can still play with friends who have not upgraded.

Digital vs Disc: Which Is Better for PS4 Games on PS5?

Digital Games

Easy to download
No disc needed
Faster access

Disc Games

You can resell the disc
Often cheaper
Useful if you already own discs

Both work fine. It depends on your preference.

How Much Storage Do PS4 Games Take on PS5?

The PS5 has around 667 GB of usable storage.
PS4 games will take the same space as they did on PS4.

Examples:

GTA 5 → ~100 GB
Call of Duty Warzone → 90–120 GB
The Last of Us 2 → 80 GB
Ghost of Tsushima → 60 GB

You can also install PS4 games on an external hard drive to save PS5 storage.

External Hard Drives for PS4 Games on PS5

PS5 allows you to:

Play PS4 games directly from an external HDD
Transfer games between internal and external storage
Save storage on your console

This is very helpful if you have many games.

Will PS5 Support PS3 or PS2 Games?

At this moment:

PS5 does not support PS3 discs
PS5 does not support PS2 or PS1 discs
Only PS4 games are supported directly
Some old games may be available through PS Plus subscription

Final Answer: Can PS4 Games Be Played on PS5?

Yes.
Most PS4 games can be played on the PS5, and they run better, faster, and smoother. You can use:

PS4 discs
PS4 digital games
PS4 save data
PS4 controllers (for PS4 games)

Sony designed the PS5 to make the upgrade easy for everyone.

Conclusion

The PlayStation 5 is a powerful console that respects the past. Sony understands that gamers invest time, money, and emotion in their game collections. That’s why they made sure the PS5 can play almost all PS4 games.

Whether you own disc games or digital games, the PS5 supports them. You also get faster loading, smoother gameplay, and improved visuals. With backward compatibility, PS5 becomes a strong upgrade without losing the value of your PS4 library.