Help... I think I lost all my PS4 game saves

Recently, I upgraded to a PS5 by trading in my PS4 Pro to save on costs, but I’ve come to realize my progress in games like Elden Ring and God of War might be lost. Both of these games are physical copies, not digital downloads, and I’ve played them on the same account from my PS4 days. I previously subscribed to PlayStation Plus (PS+) but did not actively save any game data manually. Now I’m quite worried as I’ve invested over 200 hours in Elden Ring and more than 100 hours in God of War. I’m hoping there might still be a way to recover these saves. Has anyone faced a similar situation, and is there a potential solution?

It sounds like you might still have a chance if you had PS+. Often, PS+ users have automatic cloud saves enabled, so your data might be saved online without needing manual backups. I suggest checking if cloud saves are stored under your account.

I’ve had PS+ on and off, so I’m unsure if the automatic cloud backup feature was active during my gameplay. Could you guide me on how to locate the saved data if it exists?

Certainly. To check for cloud saves, navigate to ‘Settings’ on your PS5, then proceed to ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings.’ Under ‘Saved Data (PS4),’ look for any data uploaded from your previous PS4. If it was backed up via PS+, it should be accessible here.

I wasn’t aware physical game saves could be transferred across consoles as long as you’re on the same PlayStation Network account. Is that how it works?

Yes, the save files associated with your account are generally accessible across devices, but they require a method of backup—either through PS+ cloud saves or by manually saving them to a USB drive. Just using the same account won’t automatically preserve game data.

That clarifies a lot, especially regarding the need for a backup system. I had thought saves would transfer seamlessly. Appreciate the insight!

If no manual backups or continuous PS+ subscriptions were in place during your gameplay, it’s likely that the game saves cannot be recovered. It’s a tough lesson, but it underscores the importance of regular backups.

That’s disappointing, but I understand. It seems I may need to begin both games from scratch. I’ll be more diligent with backing up in the future.

Understandable. While it may be disheartening to restart, both games offer great replay value. Also, reaching out to PlayStation Support could be worthwhile to verify whether there’s any additional assistance they can provide in your case.

Were you close to completing the games or going for platinum trophies? Losing significant progress, especially on games as challenging as Elden Ring, can be frustrating. Although it may not completely ease your frustration, replaying them could offer a fresh experience, as they both have a lot of content to discover.

Yes, I was quite close to completing most achievements for both titles, which makes starting over a bit difficult. However, I agree that the experience in these games is immersive enough to make another playthrough enjoyable, even if it’s not quite the same.

Absolutely. Elden Ring and God of War both have replay value, with different builds and approaches to explore. Good luck with your progress if you decide to jump back in!

I’ve had a similar experience before, and it’s tough. Since that time, I’ve made it a habit to always enable PS+ cloud saves and double-check my data regularly. It’s unfortunate to learn this way, but using cloud backups does help prevent these situations in the future.

I appreciate the advice. I’ll definitely adopt that habit from now on. This experience has shown me the importance of routine backups for peace of mind, especially with larger games.