To get more storage on PS5, you can install a compatible internal M.2 NVMe SSD for playing PS5 and PS4 games directly, or connect an external USB drive for storing PS4 games and holding PS5 games in cold storage. A third option is freeing up existing space by deleting unused games, captures, and managing save data.
How to get more storage on PS5 with an M.2 SSD
Installing an M.2 NVMe SSD is the best way to expand your PS5 storage capacity. It lets you download, copy, and launch both PS5 and PS4 games, plus media apps, directly from the drive. M.2 SATA SSDs are not supported, so ensure you choose an NVMe model.
Supported form factors for the SSD are 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, and 22110. After physically installing the drive, you will need to format it through the console’s prompts.
To set the new M.2 SSD as the default install location:
- Go to the home screen.
- Navigate to Settings > Storage > Installation Location.
- Select the M.2 SSD as the destination for new games and apps.
To move existing games to the new drive, go to Game Library, highlight the game data, press the Options button on your controller, and select Move Games and Apps.
Add an external USB drive for PS4 games and cold storage
Connecting a USB extended storage drive is a quick way to get more storage on PS5. The drive must be SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or later and have a capacity between 250 GB and 8 TB. You cannot connect the drive through a USB hub, and only one USB extended storage drive can be used at a time.
PS4 games can be played directly from the USB drive. However, PS5 games cannot be played from it, they must be copied back to the console’s internal storage or an M.2 SSD to launch. This makes the external drive ideal for storing PS5 games you aren’t currently playing, which is often called cold storage.
Important formatting warning: When you format a USB drive for extended storage, all data on the drive will be erased. Back up anything important before proceeding.
If you encounter issues, a common PS5 not reading external hard drive fix involves checking that the drive meets the SuperSpeed USB requirement, is connected directly to the console (not a hub), and has been properly formatted through the PS5’s storage settings.
Free up space by deleting unused games and captures
Deleting games, apps, screenshots, and video clips from internal storage reclaims space immediately. To delete a game or app, highlight it on the home screen, press the Options button, and select Delete. To clear captures, go to the Media Gallery from the home screen, select the screenshots or videos you want to remove, and choose Delete.
Regularly reviewing and removing old content is one of the fastest ways to get more storage on PS5 without spending money. Remember that deleted games can always be reinstalled later from your game library or the PlayStation Store.
Manage save data with cloud storage and auto-downloads
PlayStation Plus members can use cloud storage to back up game save data, which helps you save games on PS5 when your solid state drive is full. To enable this, go to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Saved Data (PS5) > Console Storage, and select which saves to upload. You can also turn on automatic uploads for ongoing backups.
To prevent unwanted downloads from consuming space, disable automatic game updates. Navigate to Settings > Saved Data and Game/App Settings > Automatic Updates and adjust the settings to your preference. This gives you manual control over which updates to download, helping you prioritize storage for the games you actually play.
