So here’s the deal – HoYoverse is pulling the plug on PlayStation 4 support for Genshin Impact, and honestly? It was bound to happen eventually. This affects millions of PS4 players worldwide, which is a pretty massive shift for the community.
Look, I’ve been covering Genshin since launch, and this migration situation is probably the biggest platform change we’ve seen. The good news? Your progress doesn’t have to disappear into the void. This guide breaks down everything you need to know about the timeline, your options, and – most importantly – how to actually make the jump without losing your carefully built roster.
Quick note for anyone needing to top up during this transition period: Genshin top up for PSN account services through BitTopup offer solid rates and instant delivery. Just saying – might be worth considering before those purchase restrictions kick in.
Official Genshin Impact PS4 Support Sunset Timeline
Key Dates and Milestones
Here’s where things get real. Three phases, three deadlines you absolutely cannot miss.
Phase 1: PlayStation Store Delisting - September 10, 2025, 06:00 UTC+8
New players won’t be able to download the game anymore. But if you’ve already got it? You’re fine for now. Re-downloads still work if you need them.
Phase 2: Purchase Restrictions - February 25, 2026, 06:00 UTC+8
This is where it gets serious. No more buying Genesis Crystals or anything else through the PS4 version. PlayStation Store transactions just… stop. You can still claim stuff you’ve already bought, but that window’s closing fast.
Phase 3: Complete Service Termination - April 8, 2026, 06:00 UTC+8
Game over. Literally. No more logging in, no more server connections, no more anything. This is your final deadline to claim any pending purchases.
Final Update Details
The timing isn’t coincidental – this lines up with Version 6.0 Song of the Welkin Moon. From what I understand, the new graphics and features simply won’t run on PS4 hardware. Starting December 17, 2025, you’ll see in-game prompts reminding you about the migration (trust me, you won’t miss them).
Critical detail here: account linking needs to happen before February 25, 2026. Purchase claiming gets a bit more time until April 8, but don’t push it.
Why PS4 Support is Ending
Technical Limitations
Let’s be honest about this – the PS4 is showing its age. Hard.
I’ve been testing performance across different platforms, and the numbers are pretty stark. PS4 loading times average around 20 seconds compared to 2.4 seconds on PS5. That’s not a small difference – that’s a completely different gaming experience. Frame rates? We’re talking frequent drops below 20 FPS in areas like Sumeru and Natlan. Try doing Spiral Abyss with those frame drops and tell me it’s not frustrating.
The file size issue is real too. Genshin’s approaching the limits of what PS4 storage can reasonably handle, and future content would require compression that’d hurt visual quality. Sometimes you’ve got to know when to move on.
Complete PS5 Migration Guide
Hardware Requirements
If you’re staying in the PlayStation ecosystem, PS5 is your obvious choice. The performance jump is honestly impressive – we’re talking about loading times dropping to roughly 2.4 seconds, stable 60 FPS performance, 4K support, and those DualSense haptic features that actually add something to the experience.
Step-by-Step Transfer Process
Alright, let’s walk through this properly. I’ve done this migration myself, so here’s what actually works:
Pre-Migration Preparation: First things first – make sure your PS5 is set up with the same PSN account. You’ll need at least 150GB of free space (the game’s gotten big). Complete any pending PS4 purchases before that February 25 deadline. And honestly? Take some screenshots of your current progress. Just in case.
Account Linking Procedure: This part’s crucial, so don’t rush it. Launch Genshin on your PS4, then navigate to Paimon Menu > Settings > Account > User Center. Hit Link Account and choose an email that’s never been used for a HoYoverse account before. This is important – it has to be a fresh email.
Complete the email verification and write down those new HoYoverse credentials somewhere safe.
PS5 Installation and Verification: Download Genshin from the PlayStation Store on your PS5. Launch using your newly linked HoYoverse account and verify everything transferred correctly. Test the cross-save functionality and grab any PlayStation-exclusive items you might’ve missed.
Alternative Platform Options
PC Gaming Setup
PC migration gives you the most flexibility, though it requires a bit more technical know-how. Here’s what you’ll need for Version 6.0:
Minimum specs include Windows 10 64-bit, Intel Core i5 (6th gen) or equivalent AMD processor, 8GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 1050 or Intel Iris Xe graphics, and 150GB storage space.
For the best experience? Go with Intel Core i7 (7th gen) or AMD Ryzen 5000 series, 16GB RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, and definitely get an SSD. Trust me on the SSD – it makes a huge difference.
Mobile Gaming Experience
Here’s something that might surprise you – high-end mobile devices can actually outperform PS4 now. The technology’s come that far.
For mobile players needing premium currency, Genshin Impact top up for iOS through BitTopup handles transactions securely with competitive pricing.
iOS requirements have bumped up to iPhone 12 series or iPad (9th generation) and later, with Apple A13 SoC minimum, 4GB RAM, and iOS 13.0+.
Android needs Snapdragon 855 / Dimensity 1000 / Kirin 980 or better, 6GB RAM minimum, Android 12.0+, and ARMv8-A 64-bit architecture.
Platform Performance Comparison
The numbers don’t lie. PS5 native hits around 2.4 seconds for loading, high-end PC with SSD manages 3-5 seconds, high-end mobile devices clock in at 5-8 seconds, while PS4 Pro struggles at 20 seconds.
Frame rates tell a similar story – PS5 targets 60 FPS consistently, high-end PC can push 60+ FPS, mobile varies depending on thermal throttling, and PS4 Pro aims for 30 FPS but frequently drops to 20.
Account and Progress Transfer
Account Linking Process
Here’s where people often get confused. PSN accounts with existing progress can’t link to existing HoYoverse accounts that also have progress. Each PSN account automatically creates its own HoYoverse account when you first log in.
The linking is permanent – no take-backs. And your server regions need to match between PSN and HoYoverse accounts.
PS4 to PC/Mobile Transfer Process: Use your existing PSN account, create a new HoYoverse account with an unused email, link the PSN account through the PS4 game menu, then use those new HoYoverse credentials for PC/Mobile access.
Save Data Migration
Good news – all your game progress lives on HoYoverse’s servers, not your console.
What transfers: All your characters and their levels, complete weapon and artifact collections, quest progress and achievements, exploration progress, friend lists, and your entire housing system setup.
What doesn’t: Platform-specific Genesis Crystal balances, active Welkin Moon periods, and any platform-exclusive visual elements.
Purchase History Transfer
This gets a bit complicated. PlayStation-purchased Genesis Crystals stay PlayStation-exclusive, while PC/Mobile-purchased crystals remain PC/Mobile-exclusive. However, once you convert Genesis Crystals to Primogems, those transfer freely across platforms.
Active Welkin Moon subscriptions remain locked to their original platform. Make sure to complete all pending transactions before that February 25, 2026 deadline.
Common Migration Issues and Solutions
Transfer Errors
I’ve seen plenty of migration attempts go sideways. Most common mistakes? Trying to link two accounts that both have existing progress, missing the initial PlayStation linking prompt, server region mismatches, and email address conflicts.
Prevention is better than troubleshooting. Verify your email’s available beforehand, do the linking during off-peak hours when servers aren’t stressed, document each step as you go, and test your account access immediately after linking.
Performance Problems
Post-migration performance hiccups usually come down to platform-specific settings that need tweaking.
Common issues include frame rate drops, extended loading times, graphics quality problems, and control responsiveness. Solutions typically involve updating graphics drivers, adjusting in-game settings, configuring platform-specific features, and keeping an eye on system temperatures.
Preparing for the Transition
Pre-Migration Checklist
Don’t wing this. Document everything: your UID, username, server region, current progress level. Keep purchase receipts, note down friend codes, record your graphics and control preferences. Take progress screenshots and ensure you have access to the email you’ll use for linking.
Set up your target platform in advance – don’t wait until the last minute.
Timeline Planning
Here’s my recommended schedule: December 2025 for account linking prep, January 2026 for completing the link and testing everything, February 2026 for finalizing migration, March 2026 for any final purchases and optimization, April 2026 for final verification.
Remember: account linking deadline is February 25, 2026. Purchase claiming deadline is April 8, 2026. Don’t confuse these dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly will Genshin Impact stop working on PS4?
April 8, 2026, at 06:00 UTC+8. That’s the hard stop – no more login access, period. This follows the PlayStation Store delisting on September 10, 2025, and purchase restrictions starting February 25, 2026.
How do I transfer my Genshin Impact progress from PS4 to other platforms?
Link your PSN account to a HoYoverse account through the PS4 game menu: Paimon Menu > Settings > Account > User Center > Link Account. Use an email that’s never been associated with a HoYoverse account. Complete this before February 25, 2026 – no exceptions.
Will I lose my Genesis Crystals when migrating platforms?
Genesis Crystals purchased on PlayStation stay PlayStation-exclusive and won’t transfer to PC or mobile. But Primogems converted from Genesis Crystals transfer freely across all platforms once your account is linked.
What happens if I don’t migrate before the deadline?
Your progress becomes permanently inaccessible. If your PSN account isn’t linked to a HoYoverse account before April 8, 2026, everything’s gone – characters, items, progression, the works. No recovery options after that deadline.
Can I play Genshin Impact on multiple platforms after migration?
Absolutely. Linked accounts let you play on PS5, PC, iOS, and Android with automatic progress sync. Just remember that Genesis Crystals stay platform-specific between PlayStation and PC/Mobile ecosystems.
Is the PS5 version significantly better than PS4?
Night and day difference. Loading times drop from 20 seconds to 2.4 seconds, frame rates jump from 30 FPS (with drops) to a stable 60 FPS target, you get 4K resolution support, enhanced visual effects, and DualSense haptic feedback. It’s genuinely a better game on PS5.
