How to pre-install a preordered PlayStation 4 game

PS4 Pro Hero with games
PS4 Pro Hero with games (Image credit: Android Central)

Downloading games can take hours, especially if you have a slow internet connection. This isn't ideal when the future is increasingly becoming digital and we want to jump into our games as quickly as possible. Luckily, we can pre-install games that we have preordered on PlayStation 4 so we can start playing as soon as the game unlocks after its release. Here's how to do just that.

The Guide

  1. First, scroll to your Library from the home screen.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Navigate to the Purchased section.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Select the preordered game that you want to pre-install.

At this point, you'll see a page with a countdown timer. If the game supports pre-installation, it should automatically do so within about 48 hours before the game is set to launch.

How to enable automatic downloads

  1. From the home screen, go to Settings.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Scroll down to System.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Select Automatic Downloads.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)
  1. Make sure that Application Update Files is checked.

Source: Android Central (Image credit: Source: Android Central)

Even after your game is pre-installed, you won't be able to play it early. You still need to wait until the game unlocks on its release date. If you would like to do this process manually instead of having the game automatically download when available, follow the first set of steps again about two days before the game's launch if it's a title that supports pre-installation.

If you're looking for a game to pre-order, here are some ideas.

Jennifer Locke
Games Editor - PlayStation, Android, VR

Jennifer Locke has been playing video games nearly her entire life. You can find her posting pictures of her dog and obsessing over PlayStation and Xbox, Star Wars, and other geeky things.