The PlayStation 5 is a outstanding system, but it surely doesn’t include a lot cupboard space. Breaking from the 1TB the Xbox Series X affords, the PS5 solely affords 825GB. Worse, after accounting for the cupboard space the PS5 takes up by default, customers are left with simply over 650GB of area. Thankfully, you need to use exterior storage to broaden your area, and on this information, we’re going to indicate you the way to use an exterior arduous drive on PS5.
How to make use of an exterior HDD or SSD on PS5
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Before you need to use an exterior arduous drive on PS5, you want to be certain that it’s appropriate. It doesn’t matter in case your exterior drive is a tough disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), you need to use it on PS5 so long as it makes use of USB 3.0 or later. USB 2.0 exterior arduous drives gained’t work. Because they gained’t work, you’ll want to attach your exterior arduous drive to one of many two USB-A ports on the again of the PS5. The USB-A port on the entrance is simply rated for USB 2.0, so it gained’t work. Also, plug the drive immediately right into a console (don’t use a USB hub or extension cable).
The solely different requirement is that your exterior arduous drive is between 250GB and 8TB. If you’re nonetheless looking for one, take a look at our information to the very best exterior arduous drives.
If you’re utilizing the identical exterior arduous drive in your PS5 that you simply used in your PS4, the method is straightforward. Plug in your exterior arduous drive, comply with the prompts, and also you’re set. Games that you simply already put in in your exterior arduous drive in your PS4 will present up in your PS5. If that is your first time, plug within the drive and choose Format as Extended Storage when the immediate comes up. This will take away all information from the exterior arduous drive, so be certain that to dump any information in case you’re repurposing one other drive.
Once the drive is plugged in and formatted, head to the Settings menu. There, comply with Storage > Extended Storage, and ensure the Always Install PS4 Games to Extended Storage choice is checked. In this menu, you may as well choose Safely Remove from PS5 to eject your exterior arduous drive (the PS5, just like the PS4, will throw a mechanical tantrum in case you take away the drive with out utilizing this feature).
That’s it. Your PS5 will mechanically set up all new PS4 video games to your exterior arduous drive. If you’ve been getting by with inside storage, learn on to discover ways to switch your PS4 video games to an exterior arduous drive.
How to switch your PS4 video games to an exterior arduous drive on PS5
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If you have already got video games PS4 video games put in in your PS5, you may simply switch them to exterior storage. Follow Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps to see all the video games and functions you’ve got put in in your PS5’s inside storage. Switch to the Items You Can Move tab and choose the video games and/or functions you need to transfer to exterior storage. If you need to transfer the whole lot, simply press Select All.
Once you’ve got the whole lot you need to transfer, choose Move and wait. Although we’ve examined transferring apps to exterior storage and didn’t run into points, some are reporting that giant transfers might inexplicably fail. If that’s the case, attempt breaking apart your switch into smaller chunks (say one 50GB sport and some apps) and see if that solves your points.
What you may retailer on a PS5 exterior arduous drive
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The means the PS5 splits up exterior storage is a bit bizarre. Following the directions above, your exterior arduous drive will likely be set to retailer and play PS4 video games. That’s all it will possibly do, nonetheless. Unlike to PS4, you may’t save screenshots or save information to the identical exterior arduous drive that you simply save video games to. By default, your PS5 will save all screenshots, video captures, and save information to the interior storage. Thankfully, there’s a means round this limitation.
If you need to retailer your captures on an exterior arduous drive, merely plug within the arduous drive and don’t format it. Then, head to your Library and discover Media Gallery. Once you’ve discovered the captures you need, you may offload them by choosing them and selecting Copy to USB Drive. Similarly, you may again up your information to exterior storage by following Settings > System > System Software > Back Up and Restore. Even although you may copy captures to exterior storage, you may’t do it whereas PS4 video games are put in on exterior storage. You have to decide on one or the opposite.
As for video games, you may solely set up backward-compatible PS4 video games to exterior storage. PS5 video games require the console’s inside storage. Some PS4 video games will profit from quicker loading occasions on the PS5’s inside storage. However, in case you set up the sport to exterior storage, load occasions will likely be restricted by the exterior drive’s velocity.
As talked about, it’s important to use your exterior arduous drive on one of many two USB-A ports on the again of the console, however you may’t use each of them. The PS5 can solely settle for one exterior video games storage system without delay, so you may’t hook up two exterior arduous drives for much more storage. We have, nonetheless, used an exterior SSD on the USB-C port on the entrance of the console for captures whereas utilizing one other exterior arduous drive for video games within the again.
Frequently requested questions
Why don’t exterior arduous drives work on PS5?
External arduous drives do work on PS5. If you’re having points, it may very well be attributable to: You’re utilizing USB 2.0 cables (or decrease), you’re connecting to the entrance of the PS5 as an alternative of the again, your arduous drive shouldn’t be correctly formatted, or your arduous drive doesn’t have sufficient area (alternatively, in case you in some way have over 8TB, an excessive amount of area).
Why gained’t my PS5 acknowledge my exterior arduous drive?
Your PS5 may not acknowledge your exterior arduous drive if it doesn’t match the requirements talked about above. If the whole lot appears to be like good, be sure you have a high quality USB cable of USB 3.0 customary or greater to attach the exterior arduous drive to the PS5. Connect the exterior arduous drive on to the PS5’s rear USB 3.0 ports and never by way of a hub or different system.
Can I take advantage of an inside arduous drive in my PS5?
You can use an inside arduous drive on the PS5 so long as it meets sure necessities. Check out our itemizing of the very best SSDs for PS5 to be sure you get a qualifying arduous drive.
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