The original PlayStation 4 console is a very powerful machine with a long list of amazing games to play. But as that console reaches mid-life, Sony is launching a revamped version of the PS4, the PS4 Pro. The new console will be much more powerful and have a new Pro mode in a few games that will bring 4K and HDR output. If you have just got a new PS4 Pro console you may be wondering how you’re going to move all your stuff from your old PS4 to your new one. If so, check out our guides below:
The best part about the PS4 Pro is that all the games and accessories available for the PS4 will be compatible with the upcoming PS4 Pro. But you will still have to transfer the data from your PS4 to the new PS4 Pro. Below mentioned are a few methods using which you can easily transfer all your data between the two consoles.
Sony has confirmed that the PlayStation 4 Pro console with all previously existing PS4 content, including games or any other data you have saved on the old machine. All that is required to move your content over from your standard PS4 to your new PS4 Pro will be an Ethernet cable and system software update 4.00 or higher.
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Method 1: PS4 to PS4 Pro with an Ethernet Cable
The safest and the fastest way to move all your game and data from a PlayStation 4 to PS4 Pro is by using an Ethernet cable. In the new 4.00 firmware update, Sony has added the feature that lets you connect two consoles via an Ethernet connection and transfer all your stuff between them. This method works with any two consoles, be it PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 4 Pro.
You just need to make sure that both the consoles are running the newest firmware update and a LAN cable to start the transfer process. Besides this, you also need to sign in to your PlayStation Network account on the PlayStation 4 Pro.
After connecting both consoles, you need to head to Settings in the new PS4 Pro to start the data transfer. The transfer screen will appear automatically appear if you are using the PS4 Pro for the first time.
If there is any data on your new PS4 Pro, then it will be overwritten, and the transfer process can’t be undone either. To keep your data safe, you must back it up on external media. The only downside of this method is that you need both the consoles to perform the transfer. If you have plans to sell off your current PS4 and use the funds to upgrade to the new PS4 Pro, then this method won’t work for you.
Method 2 : Re-Downloading Your Content from Sony’s Cloud Storage
In case you are not good with the downside mentioned in the previous method, you can go for this method. What you need is a PlayStation Plus account, which PS user already has as it is required to play online games. Besides offering free games and various other perks, the Plus account also has a few features that come handy. It offers a cloud storage space of 10 GB and it can be used to back up your save files, screenshots and other data.
The system can automatically backup all the data on to the cloud and you can enable it from the settings itself. You need to head to the Settings, go to Application Data Management, then to Saved data in system and finally to Upload to online storage.
Following these steps in your PS4 will back up all the data to your account.
Now that all the data is on the cloud, you can easily download it on your new console. In your PS4 Pro Settings, go to Application Data Management and select Saved data in online storage and select Download to system storage.
It is worth mentioning that your games aren’t uploaded to the cloud, but you can easily re-download the digitally purchased games to the new PlayStation 4 Pro console, or reinstall in case of disc games.
Method 3: Transfer Your HDD/ SDD
Well, this method isn’t entirely new or different from others but is an extension to the method 2 mentioned above. This one is for the people who have got a larger drive on their old PS4 for storing all the heavy game files. But, your PS4 Pro doesn’t allow you to simply move the data from your old console to the new one. As soon as you attach the drive to a new console you will be asked to reformat it to use it.
So what can one do? The PlayStation’s cloud storage comes handy at this point. You need to follow the steps mentioned in the method 2 to save your data in the cloud and download it back into the new console. You will also have to download all your games and other downloadable content again from the store. The hassle and work remain to be aplenty, but at least you’ll get all your content in your new PlayStation 4 Pro.
Lastly, here’s what a Sony spokesperson had to say on the PS4 Pro console as quoted by PlayStation Lifestyle:“You will be able to copy your games, saved data, captured videos and screenshots, system settings, and other content from a standard PS4 to PS4 Pro using a standard Ethernet cable. This process will also work from standard PS4 to standard PS4, PS4 Pro to standard PS4, and PS4 Pro to PS4 Pro provided that both units have system software update 4.00 or higher installed, and the same PSN account is signed into both systems. . .
. . . Alternatively, you can log-into PSN with your PS4 Pro, access your games and content library, and re-download your previously purchased games and content. Of course, your saved data in online storage will transfer as well.
