Yes, the PS5 downloads games in rest mode, but only if you turn on that setting first

The PlayStation 5 will download games while in rest mode — the low-power state between fully on and completely off — but the feature is not automatic. You have to enable it in your console settings before it works. Once you do, any game you start downloading will continue in the background even after you put the PS5 into rest mode or turn it off entirely.

This is useful if you want to download a large game overnight or while you are away from home. The PS5 uses much less electricity in rest mode than when it is running normally, so the download happens without your TV on or the fan running at full speed.

Key Takeaways

  • Rest mode downloads are off by default — you must enable them in Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
  • Once enabled, any download you start will keep going after the console enters rest mode or powers down completely.
  • The PS5 must be connected to the internet via ethernet or Wi-Fi for downloads to work in rest mode.
  • Rest mode uses far less power than normal operation, making overnight downloads practical without wasting electricity.
  • You can check download progress by waking the console or looking at your phone through the PlayStation app.

How to turn on rest mode downloads

To enable downloads in rest mode, go to Settings on your PS5 home screen. Select System, then Power Saving, then Features Available in Rest Mode. You will see a toggle for "Stay Connected to the Internet" — turn that on. This is the setting that allows downloads, updates, and other background tasks to continue.

Without this setting enabled, the PS5 cuts its internet connection when it enters rest mode, so nothing downloads. Even if you start a download and then put the console into rest mode, it will pause until you turn the PS5 back on.

The same menu also controls whether your PS5 can receive messages, download system updates, and charge controllers while in rest mode. You can turn any of these on or off independently.

What happens to downloads when you turn off the console completely

If you power down the PS5 entirely — not rest mode, but a full shutdown — downloads will pause. However, they will resume automatically the next time you turn the console on, picking up where they left off. You do not have to restart the download from the beginning.

Rest mode is different. In rest mode, the console stays powered on at a very low level and keeps its internet connection active, so downloads continue uninterrupted. The difference matters if you want a game ready to play first thing in the morning — rest mode will get you there faster than a full shutdown.

Internet connection requirements for rest mode downloads

Your PS5 must be connected to the internet for downloads to work in rest mode. This can be either a wired ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. If your console loses internet connection while in rest mode, the download will pause and resume once the connection comes back.

Ethernet is more reliable than Wi-Fi for large downloads because the connection is less likely to drop. If you are downloading a game that is 50 gigabytes or larger, a wired connection reduces the chance of interruption.

How to check download progress while the console is in rest mode

You cannot see the download progress on your TV while the PS5 is in rest mode, but you have two ways to check. The easiest is to use the PlayStation mobile app on your phone — it shows your current downloads and how much time remains. The app works over the internet, so you can check from anywhere.

You can also wake the PS5 by pressing the power button on the controller or the console itself. The screen will show your download progress, and the console will go back into rest mode automatically after a few minutes of inactivity.

Rest mode versus leaving the console on

Leaving the PS5 running continuously uses significantly more electricity than rest mode. A PS5 in rest mode draws roughly 0.9 watts, while a PS5 actively downloading or playing a game draws 100 to 200 watts depending on what it is doing. Over an eight-hour overnight download, rest mode costs pennies in electricity while leaving the console on costs several dollars.

Downloads also complete at the same speed in rest mode as they do when the console is fully on, assuming your internet connection is the limiting factor. The PS5 is not throttling the download speed to save power — it is just using less power for everything else.

Troubleshooting rest mode downloads that are not working

If your downloads are pausing in rest mode even though you have the setting enabled, first check that "Stay Connected to the Internet" is actually turned on. Go back to Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode and confirm the toggle is switched on.

Next, check your internet connection. If your Wi-Fi drops frequently, switch to a wired ethernet connection if possible. Restart your router by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. If downloads still pause, restart the PS5 completely by holding the power button for 10 seconds until it shuts down, then turn it back on.

If the problem persists, check the PlayStation Network status page to see if there are any service outages affecting downloads in your region. Temporary server issues can cause downloads to stall, and waiting a few hours usually resolves them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my PS5 download games faster in rest mode or when fully on?

Download speed is the same in both cases, assuming your internet connection is the bottleneck. The PS5 does not prioritize or deprioritize downloads based on whether it is in rest mode. The speed depends on your internet provider and how much bandwidth other devices on your network are using.

Can I play a game while another game is downloading in rest mode?

No. If you turn the PS5 on from rest mode, the download continues, but you can play other games you already own. You cannot play the game that is currently downloading until the download finishes.

Does rest mode downloading work with external hard drives?

Yes. Games can download to an external USB hard drive in rest mode the same way they download to the internal storage. The external drive must be connected before you start the download, and it must stay connected while the download is in progress.

What if my internet cuts out during a rest mode download?

The download will pause automatically. When your internet comes back, the download resumes from where it stopped. You do not lose progress or have to start over.

Can I schedule downloads to start at a specific time?

The PS5 does not have a built-in scheduler for downloads. You have to manually start each download. However, you can start a download from the PlayStation app on your phone, which is useful if you want to begin a download while you are away from home.