What PlayStation 4 or PlayStation 5 does by copying the update files mean? Why is your PS4 or PS5 copying the update files? Why does copying to PS4 and PS5 take so long? A while ago, the PlayStation 4 moved on to a new method when it comes to downloading and installing patches for your favorite games. After downloading an update, the PS4 will go through a tedious “copy” process, which can take a long time. This also happens on the PS5, although it’s not that slow on the newer console. It’s a pretty frustrating part of updating your games, but what does it actually mean to copy? What does it do and why does it take so long to finish it? We will try to answer these questions below.
What is copying update files on PS4 and PS5?
When your PS4 or PS5 downloads a game update, it downloads the game changes only. It might seem obvious, but it means that the initial download is faster, as you don’t need to download the updated version of the game itself. Did we say “download” enough times?
Anyway, once done, the copy begins. So, your PS4 has downloaded the update file, for example, Call of Duty: Warzone. So he has to install it and he does it by practically copying the entire game file and adding the patch in the process. The advantage of this method is that it helps prevent file corruption.
Why is copying PS4 and PS5 update files so slow?
The speed of the copying process varies from game to game. Some games on PS4 and PS5 don’t even have a size of 1GB, so the copying process will be very fast. However, many of the most popular games can be dozens or even hundreds of gigabytes. The larger the size of the original game, the longer it will take your PS4 or PS5 to complete the copying process. Games like Grand Theft Auto V, Gran Turismo Sport, and Call of Duty: Warzone, for example, take a long time to copy due to frequent updates and large files to begin with.
How can you speed up the process of copying PS4 update files?
The only thing you can do to try and speed up copying to your PS4 is to install a faster internal hard drive. The best solution is an SSD, as they are generally faster than regular hard drives. However, no matter how fast the drive in your PS4 is, you’ll still have to put up with copying. Replacing the indoor unit will make a small difference, but it will not bring about drastic improvements.
On PS5, there is nothing you can do to speed up the process, although copying is generally a bit faster than on PS4.
