Back Up Saved Data to the Cloud
The easiest way to back up your PS4’s saved game data is via the cloud. However, in order to do so, you will need a subscription to PlayStation Plus. This gives you 100 GB of storage that can be used to back up your saved game data. If you are not currently subscribed to PlayStation Plus, you can easily do so via the PlayStation Store. At the time of this writing, PS Plus costs $59.99 per year or $9.99 per month. In addition to enabling cloud backups of your saved game data, a PS Plus subscription includes two free game downloads and the ability to play online.
How to Automatically Back Up Saved Game Data to the Cloud
One of the best things about backing up your saved game data to the cloud is that the entire process can be automated. This means that with a little preparation, you can focus all of your time and attention on playing with the peace of mind that your saved game data is being backed up. To get started, you’ll want to make sure that your PS4 console stays connected to the Internet whenever you put it in Rest mode. To do this, head to “Settings -> Power Save Settings -> Set Functions Available in Rest Mode -> Stay Connected to the Internet.” Next, you’ll want to automate the backup process. Navigate to “Settings -> Application Saved Data management -> Auto-Upload.” Make sure the box next to “Enable Automatic Uploads” is checked. This will automatically back up all of your saves to the cloud. Alternatively, you can manually select which saved game data is backed up and which isn’t by checking the boxes next to each title. Your PS4 will now upload your saved game data to your PS Plus account whenever you put the console in Rest mode. However, be aware that you can only automate backups from your primary PS4 console. If you have more than one console, or are playing on someone else’s, you’ll need to back up your saved game data manually.
How to Manually Back Up Saved Game Data to the Cloud
If you’re playing on a friend’s PS4 console, you will have to manually back up the game data since the device is connected to your friend’s PS Plus subscription, not yours. Fortunately, you can back up this data manually so that when you resume playing on your primary console, you won’t lose any progress. To back up your saved game manually, simply highlight the game’s icon on the PS4 Home screen. Once highlighted, press the “Options” button. This will open a menu where you can select “Upload/Download Saved Data.” Doing so will give you two options: “Upload All” or “Select and Upload.” The “Select and Upload” option can be used if you just want to upload a single saved game file to your PS Plus cloud storage.
Back Up Saved Game Data to USB
You can also back up your saved game data without a PlayStation Plus subscription. All you need is a USB drive formatted to FAT32 or exFAT. To back up your saved game data to your USB, connect the drive to a spare USB port on your PS4 console. Next, head to “Settings -> Application Saved Data Management -> Saved Data in System Storage -> Copy to USB Storage Device.” On the next screen, select a game to see all the saved data associated with that title. Once you have selected the individual save data files, select “Copy.” This will make a copy of your saved game data to be stored on your USB. Alternatively, if you want to back up saved game data from multiple titles, press the “Options” button on your controller and choose “Select Multiple Applications.” This will allow you to copy the saved game data of multiple games in one swoop.
Restoring Saved Game Data
Restoring your saved game data is straightforward and painless. All you need to do is go to “Settings -> Application Saved Data Management.” On this screen you’ll be able to choose whether you want to restore your saved game data from your PlayStation Plus cloud storage or a USB. Select the source that is applicable to you and select “Download to System Storage.” On the next screen you will see a list of games. Selecting a title will show you all of the saved game data you have backed up for that specific game. This enables you to manually choose which save files you want to download to your PS4. If you want to restore multiple saved game files, press the Options button on your controller and choose “Select Multiple Applications.” Finally, select “Download/Copy” to restore your saved game data to your PS4 console. Now that you’ve taken the steps to back up your PS4 saved game data, you can get back to playing. If the game data gets corrupted, you can attempt to fix it before restoring from the cloud. If the DualShock 4 isn’t cutting it, you may want to consider a PS4 controller that takes its design cues from the Xbox One controller. Have you ever experienced data loss on your PS4? Do you regularly back up your saved game data? What is your preferred method of doing so? Let us know in the comments!
