If you are a proud owner of a PS5, you might have encountered a common problem: running out of storage space. With games becoming larger and more demanding, the PS5’s internal SSD can quickly fill up, leaving you with little room for new downloads, updates, and saves. How can you solve this issue and enjoy your PS5 gaming experience without worrying about storage limits? In this article, we will explain how to increase your PS5’s storage space and the pros and cons of doing so.
There are three main methods of increasing your PS5’s storage space: expanding the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive, connecting an external USB drive, or deleting or archiving unused or unwanted games and files. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, preferences, budget, and technical skills. We will compare and contrast these methods and provide some tips and recommendations for PS5 users who want to optimize their storage space.
Increasing your PS5’s storage space can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it can enhance your gaming experience by allowing you to store more games, access them faster, and avoid deleting or reinstalling them. On the other hand, it can also pose some challenges, such as high costs, compatibility issues, performance drops, or data loss. Therefore, it is important to weigh the options carefully and choose the best method for your situation. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to increase your PS5’s storage space and the pros and cons of doing so.
Method 1: Expand the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive
One of the most effective ways to increase your PS5’s storage space is to expand the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive. An M.2 drive is a type of solid-state drive (SSD) that can be inserted into a slot inside the PS5 console. This way, you can add more storage space to the PS5’s internal SSD, which has a capacity of 825 GB, but only 667 GB are available for users.
To install an M.2 drive in your PS5, you will need to follow these steps:
- Turn off your PS5 and unplug the power cord.
- Remove the side panel of the PS5 by sliding it off.
- Unscrew the expansion slot cover and remove it.
- Insert the M.2 drive into the slot and secure it with a screw.
- Replace the expansion slot cover and the side panel.
- Plug in the power cord and turn on your PS5.
- Format the M.2 drive and use it as extended storage.
However, not all M.2 drives are compatible with the PS5. You will need to check the following requirements and specifications before buying an M.2 drive:
- The size of the M.2 drive should be 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110.
- The speed of the M.2 drive should be at least 5,500 MB/s or faster.
- The M.2 drive should have a PCIe Gen4 x4 interface.
- The M.2 drive should have a heat sink or a cooling structure to prevent overheating.
- The total size of the M.2 drive, including the heat sink, should not exceed 110 mm (L) x 25 mm (W) x 11.25 mm (H).
The main advantage of expanding the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive is that you can enjoy fast loading times and smooth performance for your PS5 games and features. The M.2 drive will be integrated with the PS5 system and will support the PS5’s ultra-high-speed I/O and 3D audio. You can also store and play PS4 games and media files on the M.2 drive.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it can be quite expensive and difficult to find a suitable M.2 drive for your PS5. The M.2 drives that meet the PS5’s requirements are not widely available in the market and can cost up to $200 or more for 1 TB of storage. You also need to be careful when installing the M.2 drive, as you might damage your PS5 or void your warranty if you do it incorrectly. Moreover, some M.2 drives might not work well with the PS5 or cause errors or crashes, so you need to check the compatibility and update the firmware of the M.2 drive before using it.
Method 2: Connect an external USB drive
Another way to increase your PS5’s storage space is to connect an external USB drive to the PS5 console. An external USB drive is a type of portable storage device that can be plugged into a USB port on the PS5. This way, you can add more storage space to the PS5 without opening the console or installing anything inside it.
To connect an external USB drive to your PS5, you will need to follow these steps:
- Turn on your PS5 and plug the external USB drive into a USB port on the back of the console.
- Go to the settings menu and select storage.
- Select the external USB drive and format it as extended storage.
- Transfer or install games and files to the external USB drive from the internal SSD or the game disc.
However, not all external USB drives are compatible with the PS5. You will need to check the following requirements and specifications before buying an external USB drive:
- The capacity of the external USB drive should be between 250 GB and 8 TB.
- The speed of the external USB drive should be at least 250 MB/s or faster.
- The external USB drive should have a USB 3.0 or later interface.
- The external USB drive should have its own power supply or draw power from the PS5 via USB.
The main advantage of connecting an external USB drive to the PS5 is that it is cheap and easy to install and use. You can find many external USB drives in the market that are affordable and compatible with the PS5. You can also easily plug and unplug the external USB drive and move it to another PS5 console. You can also store and play PS4 games and media files on the external USB drive.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it can affect the loading times and performance of your games and files. The external USB drive will be slower than the internal SSD and will not support the PS5’s ultra-high-speed I/O and 3D audio. You will also not be able to store or play PS5 games and features on the external USB drive. Moreover, you will have to deal with the cluttered cables and the limited USB ports on the PS5.
Method 3: Delete or archive unused or unwanted games and files
A third way to increase your PS5’s storage space is to delete or archive unused or unwanted games and files. This means that you can remove games and files that you don’t play or need anymore from your PS5, and free up some space for new downloads, updates, and saves.
To delete or archive games and files on your PS5, you will need to follow these steps:
- Go to the home screen and select Settings.
- Select Saved Data and Game/App Settings.
- Select Saved Data (PS5).
- Select Console Storage.
- Choose the games and files that you want to delete or archive.
However, deleting or archiving games and files is not always easy. You might encounter some issues, such as losing data, missing features, or compatibility problems. Therefore, you need to be careful when deleting or archiving games and files, and make sure you have a backup of your important data.
The main advantage of deleting or archiving games and files on your PS5 is that it can help you optimize your storage space. You can get rid of games and files that you don’t use anymore, such as old versions, DLCs, screenshots, videos, recordings, etc. You can also move some games to an external USB drive if they are compatible with it. This way, you can avoid running out of storage space on your internal SSD.
The main disadvantage of this method is that it can affect the performance of your PS5. Deleting or archiving games and files might take some time depending on their size. It might also cause some errors or glitches if the game or file is corrupted or incompatible with the PS5 system. Moreover, deleting or archiving some games might prevent you from accessing their features or updates if they are stored in an external USB drive.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored how to increase your PS5’s storage space and the pros and cons of doing so. We have discussed three main methods: expanding the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive, connecting an external USB drive, or deleting or archiving unused or unwanted games and files. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages, depending on your needs, preferences, budget, and technical skills.
The best method for you will depend on how much storage space you need, how fast you want your games to load, how much money you are willing to spend, and how comfortable you are with installing or removing hardware or software. You should also consider the compatibility and performance of your games and files, as well as the potential risks of data loss or damage.
Increasing your PS5’s storage space can be a double-edged sword. It can enhance your gaming experience by allowing you to store more games, access them faster, and avoid deleting or reinstalling them. However, it can also pose some challenges, such as high costs, compatibility issues, performance drops, or data loss. Therefore, it is important to weigh the options carefully and choose the best method for your situation.
FAQs
What is the best way to increase my PS5’s storage space?
There is no definitive answer to this question, as different methods have different advantages and disadvantages. The best way for you depends on your needs, preferences, budget, and technical skills. You should consider the following factors when choosing a method:
- How much storage space do you need?
- How fast do you want your games to load?
- How much money are you willing to spend?
- How comfortable are you with installing or removing hardware or software?
- How important are the compatibility and performance of your games and files?
- How willing are you to risk data loss or damage?
What are the requirements and specifications for the M.2 drive and the external USB drive?
The M.2 drive and the external USB drive must meet certain requirements and specifications to work with the PS5. Here are the main ones:
The M.2 drive should be 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110 in size, at least 5,500 MB/s in speed, PCIe Gen4 x4 in interface, and have a heat sink or a cooling structure. The total size of the M.2 drive, including the heat sink, should not exceed 110 mm (L) x 25 mm (W) x 11.25 mm (H).
The external USB drive should be between 250 GB and 8 TB in capacity, at least 250 MB/s in speed, USB 3.0 or later in interface, and have its own power supply or draw power from the PS5 via USB.
How do I install an M.2 drive or an external USB drive in my PS5?
To install an M.2 drive in your PS5, you need to turn off your PS5, unplug the power cord, remove the side panel, unscrew the expansion slot cover, insert the M.2 drive, secure it with a screw, replace the expansion slot cover and the side panel, plug in the power cord, turn on your PS5, and format the M.2 drive.
To connect an external USB drive to your PS5, you need to turn on your PS5, plug the external USB drive into a USB port on the back of the console, go to the settings menu, select storage, select the external USB drive, and format it as extended storage.
How do I delete or archive games and files on my PS5?
To delete or archive games and files on your PS5, you need to go to the home screen, select settings, select saved data and game/app settings, select saved data (PS5), select console storage, and choose the games and files that you want to delete or archive.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method?
Each method has its own pros and cons, as summarized below:
Expanding the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive: This method offers fast loading times, seamless integration, and support for PS5 games and features, but it is expensive, limited, risky, and potentially incompatible.
Connecting an external USB drive: This method is cheap, easy, portable, and compatible with PS4 games and media files, but it is slow, cluttered, reduced, and unsupported for PS5 games and features.
Deleting or archiving unused or unwanted games and files: This method is simple, convenient, cost-effective, and optimized, but it is limited, time-consuming, data-losing, and re-downloading or reinstalling.
How can I check the available storage space on my PS5?
You can optimize your storage space on your PS5 by using a combination of methods, such as:
- Expanding the internal SSD with a compatible M.2 drive for your PS5 games and features
- Connecting an external USB drive for your PS4 games and media files
- Deleting or archiving unused or unwanted games and files on your internal SSD or external USB drive
How can I check the available storage space on my PS5?
You can check the available storage space on your PS5 by going to the settings menu, selecting storage, and viewing the console storage and the extended storage.
How can I backup or restore my data on my PS5?
You can backup or restore your data on your PS5 by using the cloud storage, the USB drive, or the data transfer options. You can find more details on how to do this on the official PlayStation website.