If you’re a new PS4 owner looking for a fast-paced, free-to-play battle royale game to play with friends, you’ve probably heard all about Apex Legends. Respawn’s hit hero shooter has dominated the genre for years thanks to its creative cast of characters, dynamic map updates, and fair free-to-play model. One of the most common questions new console players ask is can you get apex legends on ps4, especially if they’re used to paid exclusives taking up most of the PlayStation Store’s front page. The short answer is yes, but there’s a lot more to know about downloading, running, and optimizing the game for your specific PS4 model to get the best possible experience.
Can You Get Apex Legends on PS4: Official Compatibility Breakdown
First off, let’s get the core question out of the way: Apex Legends is 100% free to download and play on all PS4 models. Respawn Entertainment launched the game simultaneously for PS4, Xbox One, and PC back in 2019, and it has received regular seasonal updates for the platform ever since. There are no plans to drop support for PS4 any time soon, so you don’t have to worry about the game becoming unplayable if you don’t upgrade to a PS5 right away.
You do not need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to play online matches, which is a huge perk for players who don’t want to pay for a monthly subscription just to enjoy free games. The only time you’ll need PS Plus for Apex is if you want to claim exclusive subscriber-only rewards, which we’ll cover later on. The game works perfectly fine on the original launch PS4, PS4 Slim, and PS4 Pro, with performance differences between the models that are barely noticeable for casual players. I’ve put over 200 hours into Apex on my launch-day PS4, and I only ran into performance issues during massive 15+ player fights in World’s Edge before I upgraded to an internal SSD.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Download Apex Legends on PS4
Downloading Apex Legends on PS4 is straightforward, but there are a few common snags new players run into if they’re not familiar with the PlayStation Store layout. First, log into your PlayStation Network account on your PS4, then navigate to the PlayStation Store from the main menu. Use the search bar to look for “Apex Legends”, select the main game listing, and click the “Download” button. The game will start installing automatically, and you’ll get a notification when it’s ready to play.
Before you start the download, there are a few things you should check to avoid interruptions or errors:
If you can’t find the game in your local PlayStation Store, double check that your account’s region matches your physical location. Some regions have different listing names, but Apex is available globally for all PS4 users. Always download the game directly from the official PlayStation Store to avoid corrupted files or third-party scams that ask for personal information to unlock the game.
PS4 Performance Tips for Smoother Apex Legends Gameplay
While Apex runs well on all PS4 models, there are a few small tweaks you can make to get smoother frames, less input lag, and faster load times. If you’re using an original PS4 or PS4 Slim, you can expect the game to run at a steady 30-45 FPS at 1080p resolution for most matches, with slight drops during crowded endgame fights. PS4 Pro users can enable performance mode in console settings to hit 60 FPS for most matches, which makes a huge difference for competitive play.
One of the easiest ways to boost performance is to close all other running apps before launching Apex. Streaming apps like Netflix or Spotify run in the background and take up RAM that the game could be using, leading to slower load times and frame drops. If you’ve had your PS4 for a few years, clearing the system cache once every couple of months can also help fix random stutters and crashes.
Wired ethernet connections cut down on input lag by up to 30% compared to standard Wi-Fi, so if you’re playing competitive ranked matches, it’s worth running an ethernet cable from your router to your PS4. You can also adjust in-game settings like lowering your FOV if you’re running into consistent frame drops, or turning off controller vibration to save battery and reduce small input delays. If you’re still running into performance issues, upgrading your PS4’s internal hard drive to an SSD will cut load times in half and eliminate almost all endgame frame drops, even on the original PS4 model.
Exclusive Perks for PS4 Apex Legends Players
Playing Apex on PS4 comes with a few exclusive perks that you won’t get on other platforms, especially if you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription. Sony regularly partners with Respawn to release PS-exclusive character skins, weapon charms, and banner frames that are only available to PlayStation players. Past exclusives have included a blue and white PlayStation-themed Wraith skin, a custom R-301 skin, and limited edition banner badges for long-time players.
PS Plus subscribers get free seasonal Apex Legends rewards that are not available to other console players, including 1-2 free battle pass levels each season, exclusive character skins, and bonus Apex Coins during special events. You also get access to exclusive PlayStation tournaments for Apex Legends, with prizes like free battle passes, Apex Coins, and even physical PlayStation merch for top players.
Another huge perk for PS4 players is that all your progress, skins, and battle pass levels carry over seamlessly if you upgrade to a PS5 later on. You can switch between PS4 and PS5 versions of the game without losing any progress, and you can play cross-platform matches with friends on PS5, Xbox, Switch, and PC whenever you want. Cross-progression works across all PlayStation accounts, so you don’t have to worry about starting over if you get a new console.
At the end of the day, if you’ve been wondering can you get apex legends on ps4, you can rest easy knowing it’s one of the most accessible and well-optimized games for the console. You don’t need a paid subscription or a fancy upgraded console to enjoy hours of matches with friends, and the small tweaks we covered will make your experience even better. Whether you’re a casual player just looking for a fun free game to pass the time, or a competitive player climbing the ranked ladder, Apex Legends runs great on every PS4 model and has something for every type of player. Jump into the PlayStation Store today to download it and start playing.