Can You Use Any USB on PS5? A Comprehensive Guide
The short answer is no, you cannot use any USB drive on your PlayStation 5. While the PS5 offers great flexibility in terms of external storage and peripheral connectivity, it’s quite particular about the USB standards it supports. Simply plugging in an older USB drive might not work and could leave you puzzled. This article will break down exactly what types of USB devices are compatible with the PS5, what you can do with them, and address some common questions.
Understanding PS5 USB Compatibility
The PS5 has a few different USB ports, including a USB Type-C port on the front and USB Type-A ports on the back. Crucially, it’s not just about the physical port but the data transfer speed that it supports. The PlayStation 5 supports the following SuperSpeed USB connections:
- SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps (USB 3.0/USB 3.1 Gen1/USB 3.2 Gen1): This is the minimum requirement for extended storage and many other applications.
- SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.1 Gen2/USB 3.2 Gen2/USB 3.2 Gen1x2): Offering faster transfer speeds, these connections are ideal for external hard drives and SSDs.
- SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen2x2): The fastest available on the PS5, ideal for quick data transfers from the appropriate devices.
USB 2.0 devices are not compatible for extended storage. This means that if your older USB drive is not USB 3.0 or higher, it won’t work for game storage purposes.
File System Requirements
Beyond the USB standard, the file system of your USB drive must also be compatible with the PS5. The console only supports the exFAT and FAT32 formats. If your drive is formatted in NTFS, or any other file system, it won’t be recognized, and you’ll encounter an error stating “USB drive’s file system is unsupported.” You will need to reformat the drive to either exFAT or FAT32 before using it with your PS5.
Using USB Drives for Storage
Storing and Playing PS4 Games
A big advantage of using an external USB drive on the PS5 is that you can use it to store and play your PS4 games. This is a convenient way to save space on the internal SSD for your PS5 games. Once the external drive is connected, you can access the games directly from the external storage.
Storing PS5 Games
While you can store your PS5 games on an external USB drive, you cannot play them directly from the external storage. This is because PS5 games are designed to run on the extremely fast internal SSD (Solid State Drive) of the PS5, and no external USB drive is fast enough to match that performance, even if it is also an SSD. If you want to play a PS5 game stored on the external drive, you’ll have to move it back to the internal SSD first.
Best Practices for Extended Storage
For optimal results, connect your external storage drive to the USB Type-C port on the front of your PS5, as this often offers the highest speeds. The USB Type-A ports on the back are also fully functional for external storage. When choosing an external hard drive, prioritize drives that support at least USB 3.0 or better.
USB Drives Beyond Storage
Media Playback
You can also use USB drives to view photos and watch videos stored on them. Once your drive is connected, navigate to the Media Gallery, find the USB section, and access your files from there.
Controller Charging
The PS5 controller charges via USB-C. The original cable that comes with the PS5 is ideal, but other compatible USB-C cables will also work to charge your DualSense controller. Ensure the cable is rated for data transfer, as some only charge devices, which will be of no use in updating your controller.
USB Hubs for Expanding Ports
The PS5 has limited USB ports. If you want to connect multiple peripherals, you can use an external USB hub. A hub can provide extra ports for you to charge multiple controllers, connect other accessories, or utilize more than one external hard drive.
Why Can’t I Play PS5 Games on an External USB?
This is due to the speed of the internal PS5 SSD. The PS5 is designed to load and play games using a high speed internal drive. As no currently available USB connection (including external SSD drives connected by USB) is able to provide data transfer rates that match that of the internal SSD, you must transfer PS5 games to the internal drive before playing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I use a USB 2.0 drive on my PS5?
No, you cannot use a USB 2.0 drive for extended storage. The PS5 requires at least USB 3.0 (or later) for this purpose. USB 2.0 drives might work for other things like displaying media but will not be suitable for transferring games.
2. What file system does the PS5 support for external drives?
The PS5 only supports exFAT and FAT32 file systems. If your drive is formatted as NTFS, you will need to reformat it before using it with your PS5.
3. Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?
No, you cannot play PS5 games directly from an external USB hard drive. You can store them on the external drive, but you’ll need to move them to the internal SSD before playing them.
4. What’s the best USB port to use for external storage?
It’s recommended to connect extended storage to the USB Type-C port on the front of the PS5, as this often offers the best speeds. However, the USB Type-A ports on the back can also be used for this purpose.
5. Why is my external USB drive not being recognized?
Check that your drive is formatted using exFAT or FAT32. Also, make sure the USB drive is at least USB 3.0 or higher. A defective USB cable or issue with the hard drive could also be the cause.
6. Can I watch videos from a USB flash drive on my PS5?
Yes, you can watch videos stored on a USB flash drive connected to your PS5. Access them from the Media Gallery menu.
7. Do I need a special USB cable for my PS5 controller?
The official PS5 charging cable is recommended but not essential. Any USB-C cable that supports data transfer should work to charge and update the DualSense controller.
8. Can I use a USB hub on my PS5?
Yes, a USB hub can be used to expand the number of USB ports on your PS5. This allows you to connect more peripherals and accessories.
9. Is USB-C faster than USB-A on the PS5?
Generally, USB-C is faster than USB-A on the PS5, primarily because the Type-C port can support higher data transfer speeds.
10. How many PS5 games can a 2TB external drive hold?
The number of games will depend on their individual sizes. A 2TB drive can usually hold around 25 or more large PS5 games or many more smaller titles.
11. Can I use an external SSD as a storage drive for my PS5?
Yes, you can use an external SSD (Solid State Drive) as a storage drive, as long as it uses USB 3.0 or later and is formatted using exFAT or FAT32. However, it won’t allow you to play PS5 games directly.
12. Can I use a USB splitter on my PS5?
Yes, a USB splitter or hub is the way to expand the number of available USB ports on the PS5, should you need more.
13. What are the best USB hard drives for PS5?
The best drives are USB 3.0 or higher, with a good capacity for your needs. Both external HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) and SSDs (Solid State Drives) are suitable. Some recommended brands include Seagate and WD.
14. Can a USB cable affect PS5 controller charging speed?
Yes, a charge-only cable or one that is not compliant with USB standards may result in a slower charging speed or not work at all. A USB-C to USB-C cable will often provide faster speeds than a USB-C to USB-A cable.
15. Why does my PS5 show “USB drive’s file system is unsupported”?
This message indicates that your USB drive is not formatted in exFAT or FAT32. You’ll need to reformat the drive.
Conclusion
While the PS5 does not support any USB device, it’s compatible with many. Knowing the type of USB standards, file systems, and data transfer capabilities will help you select the best external storage options and peripherals for your PlayStation 5. This will ensure a seamless experience, allowing you to enjoy your games without unnecessary issues. Understanding the limitations when it comes to playing PS5 games from an external drive is key, but the benefits of expanded storage, media playback, and controller charging make USB functionality a vital aspect of your PS5 experience.