How To Transfer PS4 Games From One External Hard Drive To Another

Introduction

Welcome to the world of PlayStation gaming! Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore gamer, chances are you have a substantial collection of games on your PlayStation 4 (PS4) console. As your game library grows, you might find yourself running out of storage space on your PS4’s internal hard drive.

Thankfully, Sony made it possible to expand the storage capacity of your PS4 by using an external hard drive. This gives you the freedom to download and enjoy as many games as you want without worrying about limited space. However, what happens when you fill up one external hard drive and need to transfer your games to another?

In this article, we will explore different methods to transfer PS4 games from one external hard drive to another. Whether you want to upgrade to a larger capacity drive or need to move your games to a new external hard drive for any other reason, we’ve got you covered.

Before we dive into the methods, let’s take a moment to understand why you might want to transfer your PS4 games in the first place.

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Why Would You Want to Transfer PS4 Games?

There are several scenarios where transferring PS4 games from one external hard drive to another may become necessary. Let’s explore some of the common reasons why you might find yourself needing to move your games:

• Storage Capacity: The primary reason for transferring games is to free up storage space on your existing external hard drive. As new game releases and updates continue to take up more and more space, it’s vital to manage your storage effectively.
• Upgrade to a Larger Capacity Drive: If you’re quickly running out of space on your current external hard drive, it might be time to upgrade to a larger capacity drive. Transferring your games allows you to take full advantage of the new drive’s increased storage space.
• Portability: Sometimes, you may need to transfer your games to a different external hard drive for portability reasons. For instance, if you’re planning to bring your games to a friend’s house or want to play them on another PS4 system, you’ll need to transfer them to a portable drive.
• Faulty Drive: In unfortunate cases where your current external hard drive becomes faulty or starts showing signs of failure, it’s crucial to transfer your games to a new drive before it’s too late. This ensures that you don’t lose your game library and can continue playing without interruption.
• Organizational Reasons: Some gamers prefer to keep their game library stored on different external hard drives based on genres, preferences, or other organizational reasons. Transferring games allows you to maintain your preferred organization system and easily access the games you want to play.

Regardless of the reason why you need to transfer your PS4 games, it’s essential to do it correctly to ensure a smooth and successful transfer process. In the following sections, we will explore different methods you can use to transfer your games from one external hard drive to another.

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Requirements

Before you begin the process of transferring your PS4 games from one external hard drive to another, make sure you have the following requirements in place:

• External Hard Drives: You will need at least two external hard drives – one as the source drive (from where you want to transfer the games) and the other as the destination drive (where you want to transfer the games to). Ensure that both drives are compatible with your PS4 system.
• USB Cable: To connect the external hard drives to your PS4, you will need a USB cable that is compatible with both the drives and the PS4 console.
• PS4 System: Obviously, you will need a functioning PS4 system to initiate the transfer process. Make sure your PS4 is up-to-date with the latest system software version.
• Stable Internet Connection: While not mandatory for all transfer methods, having a stable internet connection is essential for downloading any necessary firmware updates or game patches during the transfer process.
• Enough Storage Space: Ensure that your destination external hard drive has enough storage space to accommodate the games you want to transfer. It’s always a good idea to double-check the game sizes beforehand, especially if you’re transferring a large number of games.

It’s crucial to have all these requirements in place to ensure a smooth and hassle-free transfer process. Additionally, it’s recommended to make a backup of your game saves and important data before proceeding with any transfer method, just in case anything goes wrong.

Now that you have the necessary requirements, let’s dive into the different methods you can use to transfer your PS4 games from one external hard drive to another.

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Method 1: Direct Transfer

The first method we’ll explore is the direct transfer method. This method allows you to transfer your PS4 games directly from one external hard drive to another without the need for a PC or any additional software.

Here’s how you can transfer your games using the direct transfer method:

1. Connect both external hard drives to your PS4 using separate USB ports.
2. Power on your PS4 and wait for it to recognize the drives.
3. Go to the “Settings” menu on your PS4 and select “Storage.”
4. Choose the source external hard drive (the one containing the games you want to transfer).
5. Select “Applications” to view all the installed games on the source drive.
6. Highlight the games you want to transfer and press the “Options” button on your controller.
7. Choose “Move to Extended Storage” and select the destination external hard drive as the target location.
8. Confirm the transfer and wait for the process to complete.

During the transfer process, your PS4 will move the selected games from the source drive to the destination drive. The time taken for the transfer will depend on the size of the games and the speed of the drives.

Once the transfer is complete, you can disconnect the source external hard drive and use the destination drive to play your transferred games on your PS4.

Note that the direct transfer method might not be available for all games, especially those with copyright protection or games that require additional installation files. In such cases, you may need to explore alternative methods, which we will discuss in the following sections.

Now that you’re familiar with the direct transfer method, let’s move on to method 2, which involves backing up and restoring your games.

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Method 2: Backup and Restore

If the direct transfer method is not feasible for certain games or if you want to have a backup of your game data, the backup and restore method is an excellent alternative. This method involves creating a backup of your games onto a computer and then restoring them onto the new external hard drive.

Follow these steps to transfer your PS4 games using the backup and restore method:

1. Connect your source external hard drive to your PS4 and ensure it is recognized.
2. Go to the “Settings” menu on your PS4 and select “System.”
3. Choose “Back Up and Restore” and then “Back Up PS4.”
4. Select the source external hard drive as the destination for the backup.
5. Allow the backup process to complete. This may take some time depending on the size of your game library.
6. Once the backup is finished, disconnect the source external hard drive from your PS4 and connect the destination external hard drive to your computer.
7. On your computer, launch the PS4 Backup Utility software and select “Restore PS4.”
8. Choose the backup file you created and select the destination external hard drive as the location to restore the games.
9. Initiate the restore process and wait for it to complete.
10. Once the restore is finished, safely disconnect the destination external hard drive from your computer and connect it to your PS4.

After completing these steps, you can access and play your transferred games from the destination external hard drive on your PS4.

The backup and restore method not only allows you to transfer your games but also serves as a convenient backup solution. It ensures that you have a copy of your game data in case of any unforeseen issues or data loss.

In the next section, we will explore the third method, which involves using a PC or Mac to transfer your PS4 games from one external hard drive to another.

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Method 3: Using a PC/Mac

If you prefer transferring your PS4 games using a computer, the third method involves using a PC or Mac. This method requires you to connect both external hard drives to your computer and utilize file management techniques to transfer the games.

Here’s how you can transfer your PS4 games using a PC or Mac:

1. Connect both external hard drives to your computer using the appropriate USB cables.
2. Ensure that your computer recognizes both drives and assigns them a drive letter or mount point.
3. Open the file manager on your computer and navigate to the source external hard drive.
4. Locate the folder titled “PS4” or “Steam Apps” (depending on the game distribution platform) and open it.
5. Within the folder, you should find subfolders representing the installed games. Select the games you want to transfer.
6. Copy the selected game folders and navigate to the destination external hard drive.
7. Paste the copied game folders onto the destination drive. Wait for the files to finish transferring.
8. Once the transfer is complete, safely eject both external hard drives from your computer.
9. Connect the destination external hard drive to your PS4 system.
10. Power on your PS4 and wait for it to recognize the drive. The transferred games should now be accessible on your PS4.

Using a PC or Mac to transfer your PS4 games gives you more control and flexibility over the transfer process. However, it’s essential to ensure that both external hard drives are compatible with your computer and formatted appropriately to be recognized by both your computer and PS4 system.

With this method, you can easily transfer your games while utilizing the file management capabilities of your computer.

Now that you’re familiar with the three methods for transferring PS4 games from one external hard drive to another, let’s move on to some tips to help ensure a successful transfer.

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Tips for a Successful Transfer

Transferring your PS4 games from one external hard drive to another can be a straightforward process if you keep the following tips in mind:

1. Check Compatibility: Before you begin, ensure that both your external hard drives are compatible with your PS4 system. Refer to the manufacturer’s specifications to verify compatibility.
2. Format the Destination Drive: If the destination external hard drive is brand new or has not been formatted for use with your PS4, you may need to format it. Follow the correct formatting instructions provided by Sony or the external hard drive manufacturer.
3. Double-Check Game Sizes: Take note of the sizes of the games you want to transfer to ensure that the destination drive has sufficient storage capacity. This helps prevent any incomplete transfers due to lack of space.
4. Backup Game Saves: Before initiating any transfer, it’s wise to back up your game saves and important data to a separate location, such as the cloud or a USB storage device. This ensures that your progress is preserved and can be restored if needed.
5. Ensure Stable Power and Connection: Make sure that your PS4 console, as well as the external hard drives, have a stable power source and are connected securely. Any interruptions in power or connection can disrupt the transfer process.
6. Patience is Key: Transferring games can take time, especially if you are moving large files. Be patient and allow the transfer process to complete without interruption.
7. Test the Transferred Games: Once the transfer is complete, it’s a good idea to test the transferred games on your PS4 to ensure that they are working properly. Run the games and check for any errors or issues.
8. Maintain Regular Backups: As your game library continues to grow, consider periodically backing up your games and important data to ensure their safety. This can save you from potential loss or mishaps in the future.

By following these tips, you can optimize the transfer process and minimize any potential issues that may arise during the transfer of your PS4 games.

Now that you are well-equipped with the knowledge and methods to transfer your PS4 games from one external hard drive to another, you can confidently make the necessary adjustments to manage your game library and storage space.

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Conclusion

Managing your PS4 game library and storage space is crucial for a seamless gaming experience. Whether you’re looking to free up storage, upgrade to a larger capacity drive, or simply organize your games, transferring PS4 games from one external hard drive to another is a practical solution.

In this article, we explored three different methods for transferring your PS4 games. The direct transfer method allows you to move games directly between external hard drives connected to your PS4. The backup and restore method provides the added benefit of creating a backup of your game data. And finally, the method using a PC or Mac empowers you with more control over the transfer process.

Remember to check compatibility, format the destination drive if necessary, double-check game sizes, back up game saves, and ensure stable power and connections for a successful transfer. Patience and regular backups are key factors in managing your game library effectively.

With these methods and tips in mind, you can confidently transfer your PS4 games to new external hard drives, keeping your gaming experience uninterrupted and your storage organized.

So go ahead, expand your game library, move your games with ease, and enjoy hours of immersive gaming on your PlayStation 4!