Why Won’t My PS5 Games Download to Extended Storage?

The frustrating reality is this: PS5 games themselves cannot be directly downloaded and played from extended storage, specifically USB external hard drives or SSDs. This is a deliberate design choice by Sony to ensure optimal performance and load times for native PS5 games. You can, however, use extended storage to store PS5 games you’re not actively playing or to play PS4 games. The restriction lies in the fact that the PS5’s internal SSD is significantly faster than any external storage option currently available, and running PS5 games from slower storage would severely impact the gaming experience.

Understanding the Storage Landscape

The PS5 uses a cutting-edge, custom-built internal NVMe SSD to deliver its next-generation gaming experience. This SSD boasts incredibly fast read and write speeds, enabling features like near-instant loading, seamless world streaming, and overall enhanced performance. External storage options, while convenient for increasing storage capacity, simply cannot match the performance of the internal SSD.

The limitations of USB-connected external drives mean they can’t provide the necessary bandwidth for the PS5 to run its games efficiently. Therefore, Sony only allows these drives to be used for storing PS5 games that are not currently being played. You’ll need to transfer the game back to the internal SSD before you can launch it.

The Role of Extended Storage

Despite the limitations, extended storage still plays a vital role in managing your PS5’s storage capacity. Here’s what you can do with external storage:

• Store PS5 games: Free up space on your internal SSD by transferring games you’re not currently playing to your extended storage drive. This is much faster than re-downloading them later.
• Play PS4 games: You can download and play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive. This is a great way to expand your library without taking up valuable space on the internal SSD.
• Back up game data: While not ideal for direct gameplay, you can use external storage to back up your game saves and other data.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

Even within the limitations described above, you might still encounter problems downloading or transferring games to extended storage. Here are some common issues and how to troubleshoot them:

Compatibility Issues

• Drive not recognized: Ensure your external drive meets the minimum requirements: USB 3.0 or faster, and at least 250GB in size. Some older or low-quality drives might not be compatible. Try a different USB port or cable.
• Drive not formatted correctly: The PS5 requires the external drive to be formatted as exFAT. If it’s formatted differently (e.g., NTFS), you’ll need to reformat it through the PS5’s settings (Settings > Storage > Extended Storage > Format as Extended Storage). Warning: Formatting will erase all data on the drive!

Storage Capacity

• Insufficient space: Make sure there is enough free space on the external drive to accommodate the game you’re trying to transfer or download.
• Incorrect storage destination: Double-check that you’ve selected the extended storage drive as the download or transfer destination.

Software Glitches

• System software errors: Restart your PS5. This can often resolve minor software glitches that might be preventing the download or transfer.
• Outdated system software: Make sure your PS5’s system software is up to date. Go to Settings > System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings > Update System Software.
• Corrupted game files: If a specific game consistently fails to download or transfer, the game files might be corrupted. Try deleting the existing files and re-downloading the game.

Other Potential Problems

• USB port issues: Try using a different USB port on your PS5. Some ports might have connectivity issues.
• Power supply: Ensure the external drive has its own power supply if it requires one. Some drives draw power from the USB port, which might not be sufficient.
• Interference: Keep the extended storage drive away from other electronic devices that might cause interference.

The Future of PS5 Storage

While external USB storage is currently limited, there is an option to expand the PS5’s internal storage by installing a compatible internal NVMe SSD in the designated expansion slot. This allows you to increase the internal storage capacity without sacrificing performance. However, you need to make sure that the NVMe SSD meets Sony’s specifications. As technology advances, it’s possible that future updates or newer external storage solutions might allow for PS5 games to be played directly from external drives, but for now, the internal SSD remains the only way to experience the full potential of PS5 gaming.

FAQs: Extended Storage on PS5

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about using extended storage with your PS5:

1. Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?

No. You can store PS5 games on an external hard drive, but you must transfer them back to the internal SSD to play them.

2. Can I play PS4 games from an external hard drive on my PS5?

Yes, you can download and play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive connected to your PS5.

3. What type of external hard drive do I need for my PS5?

You need an external hard drive that is USB 3.0 or faster and has a capacity of at least 250GB.

4. How do I format my external hard drive for use with my PS5?

Go to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage > Format as Extended Storage. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the drive.

5. Will an external SSD be faster than an external HDD for PS4 games on my PS5?

Yes, an external SSD will generally provide faster loading times and improved performance compared to an external HDD for PS4 games.

6. How do I move a PS5 game from the internal storage to extended storage?

Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps, select the game, and then choose “Move to Extended Storage.”

7. How do I move a PS5 game from extended storage to the internal storage?

Go to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage > Games and Apps, select the game, and then choose “Move to Console Storage.”

8. Why is my external hard drive not being recognized by my PS5?

Ensure the drive is USB 3.0 or faster, properly connected, and formatted as exFAT. Try a different USB port or cable. Restart your PS5.

9. Can I use the same external hard drive for both PS5 and PS4 games?

Yes, you can use the same external hard drive to store PS5 games (that you transfer to the internal drive to play) and directly play PS4 games.

10. Is there a limit to the size of the external hard drive I can use with my PS5?

There is no hard-coded limit, but large drives (over 8TB) might experience compatibility issues. Smaller drives (2TB-4TB) are generally more reliable.

11. Can I install games directly onto the extended storage?

You can install PS4 games directly to extended storage. You can only store PS5 games on extended storage and transfer them to the internal drive to play.

12. Will using extended storage affect the performance of my PS4 games?

While an SSD will improve loading times, the performance of PS4 games is primarily limited by the PS4’s hardware. You may see some improvements, but don’t expect a dramatic difference.

13. Can I use an external hard drive to back up my PS5 game saves?

Yes, you can use an external hard drive to back up your PS5 game saves and other data.

14. What should I do if my game transfer is stuck or extremely slow?

Check your USB connection, ensure the external drive is not faulty, and restart both your PS5 and the external drive. Try a different USB port.

15. Does adding an internal NVMe SSD bypass the limitations of external storage?

Yes, adding a compatible internal NVMe SSD expands the internal storage capacity and allows you to download and play PS5 games directly from it with the same performance as the original internal drive.