The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is one of the most powerful and popular gaming consoles in the world. It offers stunning graphics, immersive sound, and fast loading times for a variety of games. However, it also has a major drawback: its internal storage space is very limited. The PS5 comes with a 825GB solid state drive (SSD), but only 667GB of that is usable for games and data . That means you can only store about 10 to 15 games on your PS5 at a time, depending on their size.
This is where an external hard drive (EHD) comes in handy. An EHD is a portable device that can store large amounts of data and connect to your PS5 via a USB cable. By using an EHD, you can expand your storage capacity and save more games and data on your PS5. You can also easily backup and restore your games and data from your EHD, in case something goes wrong with your PS5. An EHD can also be cheaper than buying new games or upgrading your PS5’s internal SSD.
But is using an EHD with your PS5 a risky power move or a smart investment? In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of using an EHD with your PS5, and answer some of the most common questions and concerns that gamers have about this storage solution. We will also provide some tips and recommendations on how to use an EHD with your PS5 effectively and safely.
Requirements for Using an EHD with a PS5
Before you can use an external hard drive (EHD) with your PS5, you need to make sure that your EHD meets some technical requirements. These requirements are important for ensuring optimal performance and compatibility with your PS5 console. Here are the main requirements for using an EHD with a PS5:
The EHD must be compatible with USB 3.0 or later . This means that your EHD should have a USB port that supports the latest version of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard. USB 3.0 offers faster data transfer speeds than older versions of USB, which can improve the loading times and responsiveness of your games and data.
The EHD must be between 250GB and 8TB in size . This means that your EHD should have enough storage capacity to store all the games and data that you want to use on your PS5. However, you should also consider the cost per GB of your EHD, as some external hard drives may be more expensive than buying new games or upgrading your PS5’s internal SSD.
The EHD must not be connected through a USB hub. This means that you should not use any devices or accessories that can split or extend the signal from your EHD to your PS5. For example, if you use a USB hub, it may reduce the speed and quality of data transfer between your EHD and your PS5.
The EHD must not be used while plugged into the PS5. This means that you should always safely remove your EHD from the USB port on the back of your PS5 before disconnecting it from any other device or power source. If you leave your EHD plugged into the PS5 while it is being formatted or moved, there may be data loss, corruption, or damage to your console or EHD.
These are the main requirements for using an EHD with a PS5. By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your external hard drive works well with your gaming console and does not cause any problems.
How to Format an EHD as USB Extended Storage on PS5
Once you have chosen an external hard drive (EHD) that meets the requirements for using it with your PS5, you need to format it as USB extended storage. This will make the EHD compatible with your PS5 console and allow you to store and play games and data on it. Formatting an EHD as USB extended storage is easy and quick, and you can do it either on your PC or on your PS5 console. Here are the steps for formatting an EHD as USB extended storage on PS5:
- Connect the EHD to one of the two USB-A ports on the back of the PS5 .
- Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage .
- Safely remove the EHD from the PS5 before disconnecting it from any other device.
Note that formatted EHDs can store both PS4 and PSVR games, but not PS5 games. If you want to play PS5 games, you need to copy them from your EHD back to your internal SSD storage. This is much faster than re-downloading them from the internet.
Formatting an EHD as USB extended storage is a simple process that can enhance your gaming experience with more storage space and convenience. However, you should always backup your games regularly to avoid losing progress or data in case something goes wrong with your EHD or your PS5. You can use cloud services like PlayStation Plus Collection or PlayStation Now if you don’t need physical copies of games.
How to Move Games Between Internal Storage and External Storage on PS5
One of the benefits of using an external hard drive (EHD) with your PS5 is that you can save space on your console’s internal SSD storage. However, if you want to play PS5 games, you need to move them from your EHD back to your internal SSD storage. This can be done easily and quickly on your PS5 console, but it may take longer than re-downloading them from the internet.
Here are the steps for moving games between internal storage and external storage on PS5:
- Go to your Game Library, highlight the game you want to move, press options, and then select Move Games and Apps.
- If you’re using both M.2 SSD storage and USB extended storage, go to the Items You Can Move to USB Extended Storage tab.
- Select Move.
Note that moving games from internal storage to external storage can save space on your console’s internal SSD, but moving games from external storage back to internal storage is much quicker than re-downloading them. You can also use cloud services like PlayStation Plus Collection or PlayStation Now if you don’t need physical copies of games.
Moving games between internal storage and external storage is a simple process that can help you optimize your gaming experience with more space and convenience. However, you should always backup your games regularly to avoid losing progress or data in case something goes wrong with your EHD or your PS5. You can use cloud services like PlayStation Plus Collection or PlayStation Now if you don’t need physical copies of games.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed the pros and cons of using an external hard drive (EHD) with your PS5, and answered some of the most common questions and concerns that gamers have about this storage solution. We have also provided some tips and recommendations on how to use an EHD with your PS5 effectively and safely.
So, is using an EHD with your PS5 a risky power move or a smart investment? The answer depends on your personal preferences, budget, and gaming needs. Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using an EHD with your PS5:
Advantages:
More storage space: You can store more games and data on your EHD, and free up space on your console’s internal SSD.
Easier backup and restore: You can easily backup and restore your games and data from your EHD, in case something goes wrong with your PS5.
Lower cost per GB: You can save money by using an EHD, as it may be cheaper than buying new games or upgrading your PS5’s internal SSD.
Disadvantages:
Potential data loss or corruption: If you don’t format your EHD properly or safely remove it from your PS5, you may lose or corrupt your data.
Limited compatibility: You can’t store PS5 games or save them to your EHD, and you may face some issues with some devices or accessories that are not compatible with your EHD.
Reduced performance: You may experience slower loading times or lower graphics quality when playing games from your EHD, as compared to playing them from your internal SSD.
If you decide to use an EHD with your PS5, here are some of the best practices that you should follow:
Use high-quality drives that meet or exceed Sony’s specifications: You should choose an EHD that is compatible with USB 3.0 or later, and has a capacity between 250GB and 8TB.
Backup your games regularly: You should backup your games and data to another device or cloud service, to avoid losing them in case of any mishap with your EHD or your PS5.
Use cloud services if you don’t need physical copies of games: You can use cloud services like PlayStation Plus Collection or PlayStation Now, to access a library of games without downloading or installing them on your PS5 or your EHD.
Using an EHD with your PS5 can be a great way to enhance your gaming experience, as long as you are aware of the risks and benefits involved. We hope this article has helped you make an informed decision about whether or not to use an EHD with your PS5.
FAQ: External Hard Drive with My PS5
Q: What is an external hard drive (EHD) and why do I need one for my PS5?
A: An EHD is a portable device that can store large amounts of data and connect to your PS5 via a USB cable. You may need one for your PS5 because the console has limited internal storage space (667GB usable out of 825GB). By using an EHD, you can expand your storage capacity and save more games and data on your PS5.
Q: What are the requirements for using an EHD with my PS5?
A: The requirements for using an EHD with your PS5 are:
- The EHD must be compatible with USB 3.0 or later.
- The EHD must be between 250GB and 8TB in size.
- The EHD must not be connected through a USB hub.
- The EHD must not be used while plugged into the PS5.
Q: How do I format an EHD as USB extended storage on my PS5?
A: To format an EHD as USB extended storage on your PS5, follow these steps:
- Connect the EHD to one of the two USB-A ports on the back of the PS5.
- Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.
- Safely remove the EHD from the PS5 before disconnecting it from any other device.
Q: What can I store on an EHD formatted as USB extended storage on my PS5?
A: You can store both PS4 and PSVR games on an EHD formatted as USB extended storage on your PS5. However, you cannot store PS5 games on your EHD. To play PS5 games, you need to copy them from your EHD back to your PS5 console’s internal SSD storage.
Q: How do I move games between internal storage and external storage on my PS5?
A: To move games between internal storage and external storage on your PS5, follow these steps:
- Go to your Game Library, highlight the game you want to move, press options, and then select Move Games and Apps.
- Choose which storage device you want to move the game to (internal or external).
- Confirm your choice and wait for the game data to be copied over.
Q: What are the pros and cons of using an EHD with my PS5?
A: The pros and cons of using an EHD with your PS5 are:
Pros: More storage space, easier backup and restore, lower cost per GB than buying new games or upgrading your PS5’s internal SSD.
Cons: Potential data loss or corruption if not formatted properly or safely removed, limited compatibility with some devices or accessories, reduced performance when playing games from your EHD.
Q: What are some tips and recommendations for using an EHD with my PS5 effectively and safely?
A: Some tips and recommendations for using an EHD with your PS5 effectively and safely are:
- Use high-quality drives that meet or exceed Sony’s specifications.
- Backup your games regularly to avoid losing progress or data.
- Use cloud services like PlayStation Plus Collection or PlayStation Now if you don’t need physical copies of games.
- Safely remove your EHD from your PS5 before disconnecting it from any other device or power source.
- Do not turn off the power or disconnect the USB drive while it’s being formatted or moved.