PS5 saved games sync through PlayStation Plus cloud storage, and Sony's guidance is specific: you must be a PlayStation Plus member, automatic updates must be on, the console must be set to stay connected to the internet in rest mode, and Auto-Sync Saved Data must be enabled under Saved Data and Game/App Settings. Sync then happens when you close a game or put the console in rest mode. PS5 games sync both ways, but PS4 saves only upload automatically and must be downloaded by hand.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 5 saved games will not sync”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
No active PlayStation Plus subscription
What separates it Saved data will not upload and the cloud storage option is missing or grayed
How to confirm Check the subscription is active; Sony says PlayStation Plus membership is required for cloud storage
- 2
Auto-sync or automatic updates are off
What separates it Saves do not appear on another console after you close the game
How to confirm Turn on Enable Auto-Sync under Saved Data and Game/App Settings, and turn on automatic updates; Sony says sync requires automatic updates
- 3
The console is not staying online in rest mode
What separates it Saves only update when you manually upload, and never when you leave the console idle
How to confirm Enable Stay Connected to the Internet in Settings, System, Power Saving, Features Available in Rest Mode
- 4
PS4 saves that need a manual download
What separates it A PS4 game's save from another console is not on this one
How to confirm Sony says PS4 data is uploaded automatically but must be downloaded manually to PS5 storage; use Download or Delete from Cloud Storage
- 5
A sync conflict or storage limit
What separates it The console reports a conflict, or the cloud is full
How to confirm Check Sync Status under Sync Saved Data; Sony gives a limit of 100 GB of PS5 saved data and 100 GB of PS4 saved data with a 1000-file cap for PS4
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The game name and whether it is a PS5 or a PS4 game
- The sync status shown under Saved Data, Sync Saved Data, View Sync Status
- Whether Auto-Sync and Stay Connected to the Internet are on
- Whether the subscription is active and which console holds the newest save
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedConfirm PlayStation Plus is active
ReversibleCloud storage needs a PlayStation Plus subscription. Check the subscription in your account; without it you can still back up to a USB drive but not sync to the cloud.
Turn on automatic updates and stay-connected
ReversibleSony says cloud sync requires automatic updates. Go to Settings, System, Power Saving, Features Available in Rest Mode and turn on Stay Connected to the Internet so the console can sync while in rest mode.
Enable Auto-Sync
ReversibleGo to Settings, Saved Data and Game/App Settings, choose Saved Data (PS5) or Saved Data (PS4), then Sync Saved Data, Auto-Sync Saved Data, and turn on Enable Auto-Sync for PS5 games or Enable Auto-Upload for PS4 games. You can set it per game.
Upload manually to be sure
ReversibleHighlight a game on your Games home, press the Options button and choose Upload/Download Saved Data. The game's most recent saved data is uploaded or downloaded.
Check the sync status
ReversibleUnder Sync Saved Data choose View Sync Status, or highlight a game, press Options and choose Check Sync Status of Saved Data. It shows which games are up to date.
Download PS4 saves by hand
ReversibleFor PS4 games go to Saved Data (PS4), Download or Delete from Cloud Storage, open the Download to console storage tab, pick the saves and choose Download.
Transfer between consoles
ReversibleTo move everything to another PS5, sign in to the same account on both, update both, connect them to the same network and start Data Transfer from Settings, System, System Software. Do not turn either console off during the transfer.
Back up to a USB drive as a second copy
ReversibleCopy PS4 saved data to a USB drive from Saved Data (PS4). PS5 saved data can go to the cloud; Sony's storage article lists which data types each location supports.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Cloud storage limits
- Sony's limit is up to 100 GB of PS5 saved data and 100 GB of PS4 saved data, with no more than 1000 PS4 saved data files.
- Data transfer
- Sony says you can transfer from one PS4 or PS5 console to one PS5 console only; user and account information, saved data, screenshots, video clips, games and console settings can transfer, but data already on the destination console does not.
- Tools and supplies
- A LAN cable for a faster transfer, a USB drive for PS4 saves, and a phone to check PlayStation Plus status.
- Support details
- If you contact Sony give the game name, account ID and the console model number; a part number is not needed.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition slim, PlayStation 5 launch disc model, PlayStation 5 launch Digital Edition.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If you cannot see your saved data on any console and the cloud shows nothing, contact PlayStation support before deleting anything
- !If a sync conflict appears, choose the newer save deliberately and note both timestamps
- !If a game is not supported for cloud saves, follow the game's own instructions or contact its publisher
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Sony writes these for the PS5 and PS4; individual games may also have their own save rules that the publisher documents.
Auto-sync, manual upload and download, sync status and limits.
Moving saved data between consoles.
Where saved data can be stored.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why won't my PS5 saved data sync?+
Check you have an active PlayStation Plus membership, automatic updates and Auto-Sync are on, and the console is set to stay connected to the internet in rest mode.
How much saved data can I store in the cloud?+
Sony says up to 100 GB of PS5 saved data and 100 GB of PS4 saved data, and the number of PS4 saved data files is limited to 1000.
When does the PS5 sync saves?+
Sony says automatic sync happens when you close a game or put the console in rest mode.
Do PS4 saves sync both ways?+
No. Sony says PS4 data is uploaded automatically but needs to be manually downloaded to PS5 storage.
How do I check a game's sync status?+
Choose Sync Saved Data, View Sync Status under Saved Data and Game/App Settings, or highlight the game, press Options and choose Check Sync Status of Saved Data.
Can I pick up on a friend's console?+
Yes. If you sign in to PlayStation on a friend's console you can pick up from the last save in your online storage.
How do I move all my data to a new PS5?+
Use Data Transfer under Settings, System, System Software on the new console, with both consoles signed in to the same account, updated and on the same network.
Is a USB drive a backup for PS5 saves?+
Not for PS5 saved data, which Sony says can be stored in the console and in cloud storage. PS4 saved data can also go on a USB drive.