If you’re a long-time Apex Legends fan who just picked up a PlayStation 5, or you’re new to the battle royale and wondering if it’s worth downloading on your new console, you’re not alone. Thousands of players ask can you play Apex Legends on PS5 every month, and for good reason: it’s one of the most fast-paced, competitive free-to-play games on the market, and players want the smoothest possible experience when they drop into Kings Canyon or World’s Edge. You don’t want to waste time downloading a version that runs poorly or misses out on next-gen features, after all.
Can You Play Apex Legends on PS5? Native vs Backward Compatible Versions
The short answer is yes, you absolutely can play Apex Legends on PS5, and you have two different options to choose from depending on your preferences. The first is the native PS5 version of the game, released by Respawn Entertainment in 2022, built specifically for the PlayStation 5 hardware. The second is the PS4 version of the game, which runs via the PS5’s backward compatibility feature.
Most players will want to stick to the native PS5 version, as it offers far better performance and exclusive features you won’t get with the backward compatible build. The only time you might opt for the PS4 version is if you regularly play with friends who are still on PS4 and want to ensure identical matchmaking pools, but that’s a very niche use case. The native version supports crossplay with PS4, Xbox, Switch, and PC players anyway, so you won’t miss out on playing with friends no matter which version you pick.
Best of all, if you already owned Apex Legends on PS4, you can upgrade to the native PS5 version for free. You don’t have to repurchase the game or any of your DLC, and all your progress carries over automatically thanks to cross-progression, which launched globally in 2023.
Step-by-Step Setup for Apex Legends on PS5
Setting up Apex Legends on your PS5 only takes a few minutes, as long as you follow these simple steps to make sure you get the right version:
You will need an active PlayStation Plus subscription to access online multiplayer matches, since Apex is a live-service online game. The only exception is the firing range and offline training modes, which you can access without a subscription. If you already had the PS4 version of Apex installed on your PS5, make sure to delete it once you install the native version to free up valuable storage space.
If you run into issues syncing your progress, double check that your EA account is linked to the same PlayStation Network account you used to play Apex on previous consoles. All your skins, rank progress, legend unlocks, and in-game currency will carry over automatically once the link is active.
Exclusive PS5 Performance Features to Optimize Your Gameplay
The native PS5 version of Apex Legends comes with a host of exclusive features that make it one of the best console experiences for the game, and many of them give you a small but noticeable competitive edge over players on older hardware.
4K resolution at a locked 60 frames per second is the biggest upgrade for most players. On PS4 Pro, Apex ran at a dynamic 1440p resolution with variable frame rates that could drop as low as 40fps during busy endgame circles. On PS5, the frame rate stays locked at 60fps even when 10+ players are fighting in the same small area, and the sharp 4K resolution makes it easier to spot enemies from far away.
Adaptive trigger support is another underrated feature that makes gameplay feel more immersive. Each weapon has a unique trigger tension: the R-99 has a light, fast pull that matches its high fire rate, while the Kraber sniper rifle has a heavy, stiff trigger that makes you feel the power of every shot. I’ve found that this helps me get a feel for new weapons much faster, since I can tell when I’m firing full auto vs single fire just from the trigger feedback.
Haptic feedback adds extra sensory cues you won’t get on older consoles. You’ll feel a different rumble when you take damage from the front vs the back, when a nearby enemy uses a zipline, or when a supply bin is hiding a golden item. It’s a small touch, but it’s saved me more than once when I didn’t hear an enemy creeping up behind me.
Ultra-fast load times mean you spend way less time waiting around and more time playing. The average load time for a full match is under 10 seconds on PS5, compared to 30+ seconds on PS4. Even loading into the firing range takes just a couple of seconds, which makes testing new weapon loadouts way less frustrating.
3D audio support is the biggest competitive advantage the PS5 version offers, in my opinion. If you use a compatible wired or wireless headset, you can pinpoint exactly where enemy footsteps, gunshots, and ability uses are coming from, even if they’re above or below you. I’ve won so many 1v1 fights in multi-story buildings just because I could tell exactly where the enemy was standing before they even came into view.
You can tweak all of these features in the PS5’s system settings and the in-game Apex settings, so play around with them to find what feels best for your playstyle. If you prefer higher frame rates over 4K resolution, you can even switch to a performance mode that runs at 1080p with a 120fps cap, if you have a compatible TV.
Common PS5 Apex Legends Issues and How to Fix Them
Even with all its great features, the PS5 version of Apex isn’t perfect, and you might run into a few small issues from time to time. Most of them have simple fixes that only take a minute to try.
The most common issue players report is random crashes mid-match. This usually happens when you’re running an outdated version of the game, so first check the PlayStation Store for any pending updates. If your game is fully updated and you’re still crashing, try clearing your PS5’s cache: turn off the console completely, unplug it from the power outlet for 30 seconds, plug it back in, and restart. That fixes 90% of crash issues for most players.
Input lag is another common complaint, especially for players who are used to PC gameplay. The first fix for this is to make sure you have Game Mode enabled on your TV, as most standard TV modes add a lot of extra input lag. If you’re using a wireless controller, try switching to a wired USB connection, or make sure there are no other wireless devices nearby that could interfere with the controller signal. Pausing any background downloads while you play will also help reduce input lag.
If you’re having trouble joining crossplay parties with friends on other platforms, first double check that crossplay is enabled in your in-game Apex settings. If it is, log out of your EA account and log back in to refresh the connection. In rare cases, you might need to unlink and relink your EA account to your PlayStation Network account to fix party issues.
One thing to keep in mind is that you can’t run the native PS5 version of Apex from an external HDD. You can store it on an external drive to save space on your internal SSD, but you’ll have to move it back to internal storage before you can play it. That’s a common mistake new PS5 players make, so don’t waste time trying to launch it from an external HDD.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play Apex Legends on PS5 is a resounding yes, and it’s easily one of the best console platforms to play the game on right now. The native version’s fast load times, smooth frame rate, and exclusive next-gen features make it a huge upgrade from playing on PS4, and the free upgrade means you don’t have to spend any extra money if you’re a returning player. Take a few minutes to adjust your settings and test out the haptic feedback and 3D audio, and you’ll be dropping wins in no time. I’ve been playing Apex on PS5 for years now, and I still haven’t found a console experience that feels as smooth or responsive for fast-paced battle royale gameplay.