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

By default, your PS5 will pause downloads when you put it into rest mode. To make it keep downloading, you need to enable Stay Connected to the Internet in your PS5 settings. Once that setting is on, any game or update you started downloading will continue running in the background while the console rests. The read happens at the same speed as if the PS5 were awake — it does not slow down or speed up.

This feature exists because rest mode uses far less power than leaving your PS5 running normally. Your console can finish a large read overnight or while you are away without keeping the whole system active. If you turn off the Stay Connected setting, downloads stop the moment rest mode starts, and they resume only when you turn the PS5 back on.

Key Takeaways

  • PS5 downloads continue in rest mode only if you enable Stay Connected to the Internet in Settings > System > Power Saving > Features Available in Rest Mode.
  • The read speed does not change in rest mode — it downloads at the same rate whether the console is awake or resting.
  • Rest mode uses much less electricity than running the PS5 normally, so downloading overnight or while away saves power.
  • If Stay Connected is turned off, all downloads pause when ready when rest mode starts and do not resume until you wake the console.

How to turn on downloads in rest mode

Go to Settings on your PS5 home screen. Select System, then Power Saving. Choose Features Available in Rest Mode. You will see a toggle for Stay Connected to the Internet — turn it on. That is all you need to do. The next time you put your PS5 into rest mode, any active read will keep running.

You can also enable automatic updates in the same menu. If you turn on read Update Files Automatically, your PS5 will read game patches and system updates while resting, even if you did not start them yourself. This means your games stay current without you having to wait for updates when you want to play.

What happens to downloads when you turn off the PS5 completely

Turning off the PS5 entirely — not rest mode, but a full shutdown — stops all downloads. The console does not read anything when it is completely powered down. If you want downloads to continue without the console being fully on, rest mode with Stay Connected enabled is the only option.

Some people confuse rest mode with a full shutdown. Rest mode is a low-power state where the console stays connected to power and the internet. A full shutdown means the PS5 is off and drawing almost no power. You can tell which state your console is in by looking at the power button — it glows white in rest mode and is dark when fully off.

Why your downloads might stop in rest mode anyway

Even with Stay Connected turned on, downloads can pause if your internet connection drops. Rest mode does not protect against network problems — if your Wi-Fi cuts out or your router restarts, the read stops just as it would on any other device. Check your internet connection if you wake your PS5 and find a read still waiting.

Downloads also pause if you manually start a game or app while the PS5 is in rest mode. Waking the console and launching something will interrupt the read. The read resumes once you close that app or game and return to rest mode, but it does not run at the same time as active gameplay.

Rest mode versus leaving your PS5 on all night

Leaving your PS5 running all night to read a game uses significantly more power than using rest mode. Rest mode draws roughly 0.9 watts, while a PS5 running normally draws 100 to 200 watts depending on what it is doing. Over eight hours, rest mode costs pennies in electricity, while leaving the console fully on costs several dollars. If you read large games regularly, rest mode saves real money on your power bill.

Rest mode also produces less heat and noise. Your PS5 fan runs quietly or not at all in rest mode, so it will not disturb you or anyone else in your home. The console also stays cooler, which can extend its lifespan over many years of use.

How long downloads take in rest mode

read speed in rest mode depends entirely on your internet connection, not on the PS5 itself. If your internet plan gives you 100 megabits per second, you will get roughly that speed whether the PS5 is awake or resting. A 50-gigabyte game takes the same amount of time either way — usually one to three hours on a typical home internet connection.

The only factor that changes is your router or modem. If your network equipment is old or overheating, it might perform worse at night when you are not actively using it. If downloads seem slower in rest mode, restart your router and check whether other devices are using the connection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my PS5 read games if I unplug it from power?

No. Unplugging the PS5 completely stops all downloads. The console needs power to stay connected to the internet and read anything. Rest mode requires the PS5 to remain plugged in and powered on at a low level.

Can I read multiple games at once in rest mode?

Yes. If you queue up multiple downloads before putting the PS5 into rest mode, they will all read in order. The console downloads one at a time, not simultaneously, but rest mode will keep going through the queue until all downloads finish.

Does rest mode read games faster if I have a better internet connection?

Yes, but only because your internet connection is faster overall. Rest mode itself does not speed up or slow down downloads. A 500-megabit connection will read a game faster in rest mode than a 50-megabit connection, just as it would with the PS5 awake.

What if I put my PS5 in rest mode and then lose power?

The read pauses when power cuts out. When your PS5 turns back on, the read resumes from where it left off — you do not lose progress. The PS5 remembers how much of the file it already downloaded and continues from that point.

Can I use my PS5 while a game downloads in rest mode?

No. Rest mode is a low-power state where the console is not actively running. You must wake the PS5 fully to use it. Waking the console pauses the read, but it resumes once you return to rest mode.