Steps to Backup and Restore PS4 Using USB Drive After System Software 2.50

The arrival of PS4 System Software 2.50 allowed PS4 users to use a USB storage device for backing up and restoring the data on their PS4 HDDs. As a PS4 user, you just have to keep in mind certain pre-requisites in order to use this option.

The very first thing to keep in mind is, you can only restore data onto the PS4 console which helped you create the backup. Secondly format the USB drive, which you will be using for backup, to a FAT32 or exFAT type. Also be sure of using a drive which contains a lot of free space, if not then you can go for don't backup Application Data option. When you are ready with a drive that fits these needs, you are good to go.

Follow these steps to back up your PS4's HDD:

• In order to save your trophies go to Trophies > Sync Trophies With PSN
• Now connect the USB drive that you wish to save your data on, to your PS4 
• Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore
• You will be asked to confirm the data which you want to backup, if you choose not to back up applications, you will lose it and have to download or reinstall when you need it again.
• Input a name for this backup
• Select Backup and press X
• A progress bar will appear depicting the progress of the backup process

Follow these steps to restore an HDD back up to a PS4:

• Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore
• Now connect the USB drive that contains the backup to restore your data on PS4
• Select Restore PS4 option
• Choose the file which you want to backup
• PS4 will now show a screen which that tells you that the system will restart and initialize whether or not the back up process is completed.
• Select Yes to continue.