Do PS4 Games Work on PS5? Yes — But Watch Out for This One Catch

Quick answer: almost all PS4 games play on PS5, often with better performance. The catch: disc games need a PS5 with a disc drive. The Digital Edition and PS5 Pro need the separate disc drive attachment to read discs.

Upgrading to a PS5 doesn’t mean throwing away your PS4 library. Sony designed the PS5 to be backward compatible with the vast majority of PS4 titles.

What works

• PS4 discs on any PS5 with a disc drive.
• Digital PS4 games you bought on your account — just download them again.
• Your saves — through cloud saves (PS Plus) or a USB transfer, depending on the game.

Free PS5 upgrades

Many games offer a free or cheap upgrade from the PS4 version to the PS5 version — with faster loading and better graphics. Insert the PS4 disc and check the game’s page in the PlayStation Store for an upgrade option.

The catch: disc drives

The PS5 Digital Edition and the PS5 Pro ship without a disc drive. To play discs — PS4 or PS5 — you need Sony’s add-on disc drive. Check your model before buying discs.

Why PS4 discs are still a smart buy

Older classics are often much cheaper on disc, and many run better on PS5 than they ever did on PS4.

Browse PS4 games or see the PS5 games worth your money.