Although Sony’s PlayStation 5 has a sophisticated, ultra-fast built-in SSD, you’re stuck with agonizingly sluggish loading times on the PS4 until you make up your mind to get your own PS5. Until that time comes, you can revitalize an outdated gaming console by switching the drive inside your current PS4 to a new one, most preferably an SSD.
Read: Is It Worth To Upgrade Your PS4 HDD To SSD?
The PS4 and PS4 Pro’s included 5400 RPM hard disk is painfully slow. Even at this late stage in the PS4’s life cycle, an SSD has been a welcome upgrade for me because I’m not typically a “launch day” purchase. Although it won’t make loading times immediate, it can shorten them by at least 10 to 20 seconds (Opens in a new window). Although each game is unique and some players may not realize the benefits, when you’re waiting, every second matters.
You don’t need to worry too much about getting the quickest SSD; nevertheless, you must make sure you choose a 2.5-inch model and not the M.2 SSDs that have recently gained popularity in PCs. The Western Digital Blue SSD is used here because it provides excellent performance at a reasonable cost.
Read: Best Internal Solid State Drives (SSD) For PS4 [2022]
A screwdriver is all that is required to swap the drive itself. It can be a little complex at first, but you will need to back up all of your data first, reinstall the PS4 operating system on the new disk, and then restore your data. You will require one (maybe two) USB disks for that. But if all goes according to plan, it should just take a few minutes. Let’s proceed step by step.
Step 1: Back Up Your Data
Before grabbing the screwdriver, make a backup of all your data because you’ll be starting over with a clean disk. Unless you’re a PlayStation Plus subscriber, in which case you can back up to the cloud, you need a USB device to backup your game saves and other data. Your awards are not going to be included, either way. If you care, go to the PS4 menu’s Trophies area, press your controller’s Options button, and choose Sync Trophies with PSN.
Go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore from the home screen after inserting your USB drive. Select the Back Up option; you must backup Saved Data because it contains your game saves. If you want to prevent having to download them all again, you can choose to backup programs like Netflix.
You can instead go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in System Storage and choose Upload to Online Storage if you have a PS Plus subscription.
Go to Power > Power Options > Turn Off PS4 to totally turn off your PS4 after this step is complete. Rest Mode is not what you want to be in. Before continuing, wait until the light stops blinking to make sure it is totally off, then disconnect the power cable.
Step 2: Replace PS4 Internal HDD
Sony made changing the PS4 internal hard drive quite simple. If you have a PlayStation 4 from the first generation, slide the glossy top panel to the left until it completely separates. Pull the hard drive cage toward you after unscrewing the screw on the left that is closest to you. Remove the four screws holding the drive in place, then swap out your SSD for it.
Turn your PS4 Slim around if you have one. Apply some pressure and push the text-covered black piece of plastic to the right of the ports to remove it. Utilizing the black ribbon, slide the drive cage out the side of the PS4 after removing the huge screw underneath. Remove the four screws holding the drive in place, then swap out your SSD for it.
As for PS4 Pro, if you own one you have to turn it over and look to the right of the ports for the hard drive lid. It works somewhat like a door when you find the notch on the side and swing it open with your finger. (My results may not be typical; I had to exert a fair amount of force to get it to open.) Slide out the hard drive cage after removing the screw that is hidden underneath it. Remove the four screws holding the drive in place, then swap out your SSD for it.
Close everything up and plug the PS4 back in after inserting your SSD. However, you must go to your computer first before turning it on.
Step 3: Initialize PS4
Insert a different USB drive (not the one being used for your PS4 backup) into your computer. In Windows Explorer, right-click the disk and select Format. Select FAT32 as your file system. On the HDD, create a folder called PS4 and a folder called UPDATE inside of it.
You should then go to this page on Sony’s website and scroll down to PS4™ Complete System Software File; the Software Update file at the top of the page is not what you want; you want the complete software package to install a fresh copy of the PS4 system software on the new drive.
Save the file in the UPDATE folder you previously made after clicking the “Agree to terms and download complete software” link. The file must be named PS4UPDATE.PUP; don’t rename it or it won’t work.
Return to your PS4, and then remove the flash drive. To enter Safe Mode, plug in your controller using a USB cable, then hold down the power button until you hear the second beep (approximately seven seconds). Press X after selecting Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software).
Place your USB drive with the update file in it, then click OK when prompted. Select Next to begin installing the PS4 software on your new, quick drive after it detects the update. Your PS4 will reboot after the procedure is complete and drop you at the first setup screen.
Step 4: Restore Your Backed-up Data
You must log into your PlayStation account once more, just as if you were setting up a brand-new PS4. To restore the data you previously backed up, however, go to Settings > System > Back Up and Restore > Restore PS4 after attaching the USB device.
Go to Settings > Application Saved Data Management > Saved Data in Online Storage > Download to System Storage if you backed up using PS Plus.
After that, you’ll need to re-download and/or re-install your games, but after you’ve done that, you should be able to log back in and play as if you had never left, with the shortest loading times imaginable.
