How To Save Games On PS5 When Your Solid State Drive Is Full

Introduction

Running out of storage space can be a frustrating experience for any gamer, especially when you’re in the middle of an intense gaming session. With the next-generation console, the PlayStation 5 (PS5), offering incredible graphics and immersive gameplay, it’s no surprise that games are consuming more and more storage space. However, don’t fret just yet! There are several options available to help you save games on your PS5 when your solid-state drive (SSD) is full.

Whether you want to make room for new games or ensure you can access your saved progress in the future, this guide will walk you through different ways to manage your storage effectively. From deleting unused games to utilizing external storage devices and even upgrading your SSD, we’ll explore these options to help you continue enjoying your gaming experience without any storage limitations.

Before we delve into the various methods, it’s important to note that the PS5’s SSD offers lightning-fast loading times and optimized performance. So, it’s recommended to prioritize keeping your favorite and most frequently played games on the internal storage for the best gaming experience. With that said, let’s explore the options available to save games when your PS5’s solid-state drive is full.

Option 1: Delete Unused Games

If your PS5’s solid-state drive is full, one of the simplest and most straightforward solutions is to delete games that you no longer play or need. Many times, we accumulate a collection of games that have served their purpose or have been completed, taking up valuable storage space. By removing these unused games, you can free up substantial storage for new games or updates.

To delete games on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. Go to the home screen of your PS5 by pressing the PlayStation button on your controller.
2. Select the ‘Games’ option from the menu.
3. Scroll through the list of installed games and find the ones you want to delete.
4. Highlight the game you want to remove and press the ‘Options’ button on your controller.
5. From the options menu, select ‘Delete’.
6. Confirm the deletion by selecting ‘OK’ when prompted.

Once you have deleted the unused games, the freed-up space will be available for new installations, updates, or to store other games you enjoy playing. It’s important to note that deleting a game will remove all associated data, including saved progress and customization settings. If you plan to revisit a game in the future, make sure to back up your save data on an external device or utilize cloud storage.

Deleting unused games not only serves as a quick fix to address storage limitations but also allows you to curate your gaming library, ensuring that it is filled only with titles you actively engage with. This approach maximizes your available storage and provides a more organized gaming experience.

Option 2: Move Games to an External Storage Device

If you find yourself running out of space on your PS5’s solid-state drive, another viable solution is to move games to an external storage device. This option allows you to keep your games without taking up valuable internal storage.

To move games to an external storage device on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. Connect a compatible external storage device, such as a USB hard drive or SSD, to one of the USB ports on your PS5.
2. From the home screen, navigate to the ‘Settings’ menu.
3. Select ‘Storage’ from the options.
4. Choose ‘Console Storage’ to access the list of installed games.
5. Select the game you want to move to the external storage device.
6. Press the ‘Options’ button on your controller.
7. From the options menu, choose ‘Move to USB Extended Storage’.
8. Confirm the move by selecting ‘OK’ when prompted.

Once you have successfully transferred the game to the external storage device, you will have more space available on your PS5’s internal SSD. It’s important to note that games stored on external devices might have slightly slower loading times compared to those on the internal storage. However, this trade-off allows you to keep a large library of games accessible whenever you want, without constantly worrying about limited space.

To use a game stored on an external device, simply connect the device to your PS5 and navigate to the ‘Games’ menu on the home screen. Games stored on the external drive will appear with a small external drive icon, indicating that they are not installed on the internal storage.

Utilizing an external storage device not only provides more storage space but also offers flexibility in managing your game library. You can easily swap games between the internal and external storage devices based on your current gaming preferences or the size of the game.

Option 3: Upgrade Your Solid State Drive

If you frequently find yourself struggling with limited storage space on your PS5, upgrading your solid-state drive (SSD) might be the best solution for you. This option allows you to increase the overall storage capacity of your console, providing ample room for more games and content.

Upgrading the SSD on your PS5 requires a compatible M.2 SSD that meets the specific requirements set by Sony. It’s important to note that as of now, expandable storage support for the PS5 is only available via a firmware update, and not all M.2 SSDs are compatible. Therefore, it’s crucial to check the Sony website or consult the PS5 user manual for a list of approved SSDs and the installation process.

Here are the general steps to upgrade your PS5’s solid-state drive:

1. Ensure that you have a compatible M.2 SSD that meets the requirements.
2. Power off and unplug your PS5.
3. Remove the plastic cover on the side of the console to access the M.2 SSD slot.
4. Carefully insert the new SSD into the slot, following the instructions provided by Sony.
5. Replace the plastic cover and securely fasten it.
6. Power on your PS5 and follow the on-screen prompts to initialize the new SSD.

Once you have successfully upgraded your solid-state drive, you will have significantly more storage space available on your PS5. This means you can install and keep a larger number of games without worrying about constantly needing to delete or move them. With a bigger SSD, you can fully embrace the extensive library of games available for the PS5, ensuring you never miss out on new releases or updates.

Upgrading your solid-state drive not only expands the storage capacity of your PS5, but it also enhances your gaming experience. With more space, you can enjoy seamless gameplay without interruptions, faster loading times, and the convenience of having a diverse selection of games readily available.

Option 4: Utilize Cloud Storage

Another convenient option to save games on your PS5 when your solid-state drive is full is to utilize cloud storage. This feature allows you to store your game saves and data online, freeing up space on your console while ensuring that your progress is safely backed up.

The PS5 offers cloud storage for PlayStation Plus subscribers, allowing you to upload your game saves to the cloud and access them whenever needed. This feature not only provides a convenient backup solution but also enables you to seamlessly continue your gaming experience on another PS5 console if necessary.

To utilize cloud storage on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. Ensure that you have an active PlayStation Plus subscription.
2. From the PS5 home screen, go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
3. Select ‘Saved Data and Game/App Settings’.
4. Choose ‘Saved Data (PS5)’.
5. Select ‘Upload to Cloud Storage’.
6. Choose the game saves you want to upload or select ‘Select All’ to upload all of your game saves.
7. Confirm the upload by selecting ‘Upload’ when prompted.

Your game saves are now securely stored in the cloud, allowing you to free up space on your PS5 without losing your progress. If you want to access your saved data on another PS5 console, simply sign in with your PlayStation Network account and follow the same steps to retrieve your game saves from the cloud. This feature ensures that even if you need to play on a different console temporarily or upgrade in the future, your progress and achievements remain intact.

Utilizing cloud storage not only provides a safety net for your game saves but also allows you to manage your storage effectively. By regularly uploading your saves to the cloud, you can confidently delete games from your PS5’s solid-state drive, knowing that your progress is securely stored and can be easily accessed whenever you want to continue playing.

Option 5: Use USB Storage

If you’re looking for a flexible and accessible solution to save games on your PS5 when your solid-state drive is full, using USB storage is an excellent option. This method allows you to expand your storage capacity and keep your games readily available without the need to delete or transfer them.

To use USB storage on your PS5, follow these steps:

1. Connect a USB storage device, such as an external hard drive or flash drive, to one of the USB ports on your PS5.
2. From the home screen, go to the ‘Settings’ menu.
3. Select ‘Storage’ from the options.
4. Choose ‘USB Extended Storage’ to access the connected USB device.
5. Follow the on-screen prompts to format the USB storage for use with your PS5. Note that formatting will delete any existing data on the USB device, so make sure to backup any important files before proceeding.
6. Once the USB storage is formatted, you can choose to install new games directly to the USB device or transfer existing games from the internal solid-state drive.
7. To install new games on the USB storage, simply select the USB storage as the installation location during the game installation process.
8. To transfer existing games to the USB storage, go to the ‘Storage’ menu and select ‘Console Storage’. Choose the game you want to move, press the ‘Options’ button on your controller, and select ‘Move to USB Extended Storage’.

By utilizing USB storage, you can significantly increase your storage capacity and keep a vast collection of games available for instant access. The PS5 allows you to have multiple USB storage devices connected, so you can easily switch between different collections of games based on your preferences.

It’s important to note that while USB storage is a convenient and efficient option, there might be slightly longer loading times compared to games installed on the internal solid-state drive. However, this trade-off ensures that you have a vast game library at your disposal without worrying about limited space.

USB storage provides a great balance between storage capacity and convenience. You can save a multitude of games without sacrificing the lightning-fast performance of your PS5. With the ability to connect multiple USB storage devices, you can tailor your gaming experience to suit your preferences and have a diverse collection of games always within reach.

Conclusion

Running out of storage space is a common concern for PS5 owners, especially with the increasing size of modern games. However, there are several options available to save games on your PS5 when your solid-state drive is full, ensuring you can continue enjoying your gaming experience without limitations.

Deleting unused games is a quick and straightforward solution to free up space on your PS5’s solid-state drive. By removing games that you no longer play or need, you create room for new installations or updates. This method also allows you to curate your gaming library, keeping it organized and focused on your favorite titles.

Moving games to an external storage device is another effective option. By utilizing a compatible USB hard drive or SSD, you can store games externally while still being able to access them whenever you want. This method provides flexibility and the ability to keep a larger collection of games without worrying about storage limitations.

Upgrading your solid-state drive offers a long-term solution for those who consistently face storage constraints. By installing a compatible M.2 SSD, you can significantly increase your PS5’s storage capacity, accommodating more games and content without compromising performance.

Cloud storage is a convenient option to securely store your game saves and data. By utilizing PlayStation Plus, you can upload your game saves to the cloud, freeing up space on your console and ensuring that your progress is safely backed up. This feature also allows for easy access to your game saves on multiple consoles, whether as a backup or when playing on a different PS5.

Finally, using USB storage provides a flexible and accessible solution. By connecting external hard drives or flash drives to your PS5, you can expand your storage capacity without sacrificing performance. This method allows you to have a vast collection of games readily available and switch between different USB storage devices based on your gaming preferences.

With these options at your disposal, you can effectively manage your storage on the PS5 and continue enjoying your gaming experience without being hindered by storage constraints. Whether you choose to delete unused games, utilize external storage, upgrade your solid-state drive, utilize cloud storage, or use USB storage, you can ensure that your gaming library remains expansive and accessible.