Auto-Sync is a PS5 feature that automatically syncs your game progress in the cloud. This allows you to start your gaming session on one device and then continue where you left off on another.
If you like, Auto-Sync is synonym to cloud storage. Once this option enabled, your PS5 will automatically sync saved data with cloud storage when you exit a game or the console enters rest mode.
Another advantage is that if you get a new PlayStation console, you can quickly download your saved data from PSN on the new device.
Steps to Enable Auto-Sync on PS5
- Go to Settings and select System.
- Then select Power Saving and go to Features Available in Rest Mode.
- Select Stay Connected to the Internet.
- Navigate to Settings and select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Then go to Saved Data (PS5) and select Sync Saved Data > Auto-Sync Saved Data.
Only two storage options
One of the novelties regarding the PS5 console is that you can’t save game data on external storage devices. In other words, you’ve only got two options: keep your saved game files on your console or back them up in the cloud.
If you go to PS5’s Saved Data and Game/App Settings, and select your saved games, you’ll see that you can manually copy them from console storage to cloud storage. Or you can delete the files. But these are the only two options you’ve really got. You can’t copy your game files or saved games to an external storage device.
But there’s a catch. If you want to store and sync your saved games in the cloud, you’ll need to subscribe to PlayStation Plus.
What happens if I don’t get a PlayStation Plus subscription?
If your PS5 console gets bricked by an update, get’s stollen or stops working due to hardware failure, you risk losing all your game files and saved games. If get a PlayStation Plus subscription, you won’t run that risk.
What if the Internet drops?
Let’s say you go with Sony’s wish and you get a PlayStation Plus subscription. So far, so good. But what if your Internet connection is unavailable? You won’t be able to access your games and continue your previously saved game data.
And now you know.
References:
- PlayStation Plus cloud storage for PlayStation 5 consoles on PlayStation Support.