How to Back Up on PlayStation 4

How to back up on PS4

Last update: November 28, 2024 PlayStation

Backing up your PlayStation 4 is not just a precautionary measure; it's a key tool to ensure your data is safe from unforeseen events. Whether it's due to a system update, needing to restore your PS4, a console change, or to protect your saved games from potential errors, having a backup is essential. Additionally, a backup allows you to migrate your games, trophies, settings, and user profiles quickly, without the need for an internet connection and without complications. In this article, we explain step by step how to carry out this process and ensure that all the data on your console is always protected.

To back up your PlayStation 4, you will need an external USB memory or external hard drive with enough capacity and available space to store all the data you have on the console.

You should keep in mind that the backup can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours (in my case it took about 4 hours), depending on the number of games and data you have stored on the hard drive, and during this process, you will not be able to turn off or use the console.

Estimated time: 30 minutes.

Step 1:

First, access the settings of your PlayStation 4. To do this, from the home screen, press the up direction button to go to the top menu. From the top menu, move to the right, almost to the end, until you find the "Settings" section. Press the X button on the controller to access it.

Step 2:

Once inside the PS4 settings menu, scroll down to find the "System" section. Press the X button on your DualShock 4 controller to access it.

Step 3:

Scroll down again using the down direction button on the DualShock controller until you select the "Backup and Restore" section. Press the X button to access.

Step 4:

You will find several options, select "Create PS4 Backup" and press the "X" button on the controller again to access the backup section of your PlayStation 4.

Step 5:

Now the USB storage devices you have connected should appear, whether it's a USB flash drive or an external hard drive connected via USB. Select the device you want to use to perform the backup and press the "X" button to continue.

Step 6:

It is possible that a warning message may appear indicating that the trophies are not synchronized with your PlayStation Network account.
It is advisable to press "Yes" to synchronize them before making a backup.

Step 7:

On the next screen, the data that can be saved in the backup will appear; by default, all will be selected. You can deselect those you are not interested in saving, such as screenshots or themes. Select "Next" and press the "X" button again to continue.

Step 8:

The total size that the backup will occupy will be shown, and you can change the description of this backup. If you are sure, select "Create backup" and press the "X" button to start. Keep in mind that the backup may take several hours and that during this period you will not be able to use or disconnect the console.