PS5 External Hard Drive Guide—Make The Best Choice

A PS5 external storage device is essentially an external hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) that connects to your PlayStation 5 console via a USB port. This allows you to expand the storage capacity of your PS5, which is particularly helpful given the large file sizes of modern games. These devices need to meet certain specifications to be compatible with the PS5, such as having a USB 3.0 connection or later and a capacity between 250GB and 8TB.

People use PS5 external storage devices primarily to store and play PS4 games, and to store PS5 games for later transfer to the console’s internal SSD when they want to play them. This helps free up valuable space on the internal SSD, which is necessary for optimal PS5 game performance. External storage provides a convenient way to manage a large game library without constantly needing to delete and re-download games.

Types of PS5 external storage devices:

There are two main types of external storage devices used for PS5:

Hard Disk Drives (HDDs):

These are the traditional spinning disk drives and are generally more affordable and available in larger capacities. They are a good option for storing PS4 games and as a backup for PS5 games. However, they are slower than SSDs, so you’ll experience longer loading times.

Solid State Drives (SSDs):

These drives use flash memory and are significantly faster than HDDs. This means faster loading times for your games and a smoother overall experience. While generally more expensive than HDDs, they are becoming increasingly affordable. There are two main types of SSDs used for PS5 external storage:

• Portable SSDs: These are smaller, lighter, and more portable, making them great for taking your games on the go.
• Desktop SSDs: These are larger and require an external power source, but they often offer better performance and value for money.

Compatibility requirements

While the PS5 offers expandable storage, it’s not as simple as plugging in any external drive. Here’s a breakdown of the compatibility requirements:

Must-haves:

• Interface: The drive must use a SuperSpeed USB connection with a speed of 5Gbps or faster. This usually means USB 3.0 or later.
• Capacity: The drive needs to have a minimum capacity of 250GB and a maximum of 8TB. Anything outside this range won’t be recognized.
• Formatting: The PS5 will format the drive to its own proprietary file system, so any data on the drive will be erased. Make sure to back up important files before connecting it.
• Direct Connection: You cannot connect the external drive through a USB hub. It needs to be plugged directly into one of the PS5’s USB ports.

Important Considerations:

• Not all devices are guaranteed to work: Even if a drive meets the above requirements, there’s no absolute guarantee it will function correctly with the PS5. It’s recommended to check online forums or reviews for compatibility information before purchasing.
• Only one at a time: You can only use one external storage device at a time with your PS5. While you can connect multiple USB drives, only one can be active for game storage.
• PS5 game limitations: You can store PS5 games on an external drive, but you cannot play them directly from it. You’ll need to transfer the game data back to the internal SSD to play it. This is because PS5 games are designed to leverage the speed of the internal SSD.
• PS4 games are fully playable: You can store and play PS4 games directly from a compatible external drive. You can even set the external drive as the default installation location for PS4 games.

In essence:

Think of external storage on the PS5 as an extension of your game library, not a replacement for the internal SSD. It’s a great way to archive PS5 games and enjoy a vast library of PS4 games without sacrificing precious space on your console’s primary drive.