How to Save Your PS5 Games to an External Hard Drive: A Comprehensive Guide

Saving your precious PS5 games to an external hard drive is a simple process that can save you valuable space on your console’s internal storage. This involves formatting the external drive for PS5 use and then transferring the games. You’ll need a USB external hard drive that meets the PS5’s requirements: minimum 250 GB, maximum 8 TB, and USB 3.0 or faster. Here’s the step-by-step process:

1. Connect the External Hard Drive: Plug your external hard drive into a USB port on the back of your PS5. The rear ports generally offer the best performance.

2. Navigate to Settings: From the PS5 home screen, go to Settings.

3. Access Storage Options: Scroll down and select Storage.

4. Select USB Extended Storage: Choose USB Extended Storage. If your drive isn’t recognized, ensure it meets the minimum requirements and that the connection is secure.

5. Format as USB Extended Storage: Select the option to Format as USB Extended Storage. This process will erase all data on the drive, so back up any important files beforehand! Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the formatting.

6. Move Games to External Drive: Once formatted, go back to Storage and select Console Storage. Then, choose Games and Apps.

7. Select Items to Move: Select the games you want to move to the external drive. You can select multiple games at once.

8. Initiate the Transfer: Choose Move and confirm your selection. The transfer time will depend on the size of the games.

That’s it! Your PS5 games are now safely stored on your external hard drive. Remember, while you can store PS5 games on the external drive, you can only play them from the internal SSD. To play a game stored on the external drive, you’ll need to move it back to the PS5’s internal storage. This is still faster than re-downloading the entire game.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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

No, you cannot play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive. The PS5’s architecture requires the high-speed data transfer of the internal SSD to run PS5 games optimally. You can only store them on the external drive and must transfer them back to the internal SSD to play.

2. What kind of external hard drive do I need for my PS5?

You need an external hard drive that meets the following specifications:

• USB 3.0 or faster: This ensures adequate transfer speeds.
• Minimum 250 GB, maximum 8 TB: These are the storage capacity limits.
• Direct connection: Avoid using a USB hub, as it may affect performance.

It’s best to use an external HDD (Hard Disk Drive), an external SSD (Solid State Drive) cannot run PS5 games.

3. How long does it take to transfer PS5 games to an external hard drive?

The transfer time depends on the size of the game. A large AAA title can take anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to transfer. Smaller games will transfer much faster. The speed of your external hard drive and the internal SSD also play a role.

4. Can I use multiple external hard drives with my PS5?

The PS5 can recognize multiple external hard drives, but you can only have one active at a time. You can plug in multiple drives, but you’ll need to switch between them in the settings.

5. Do I need to format my external hard drive before using it with my PS5?

Yes, you need to format your external hard drive as USB Extended Storage through the PS5 settings. This process erases all data on the drive, so back up any important files beforehand. This format allows the PS5 to recognize and utilize the drive for game storage.

6. Will using an external hard drive slow down my PS5?

Using an external hard drive for storage will not significantly slow down your PS5’s overall performance. The only time you’ll experience a difference is when transferring games to and from the external drive, which will be slower than transferring between internal storage. Running a PS5 game from an internal SSD is substantially faster.

7. Can I store PS4 games on an external hard drive and play them directly?

Yes, you can store and play PS4 games directly from an external hard drive connected to your PS5. This is a great way to free up space on your internal SSD for PS5 games.

8. What happens if I disconnect the external hard drive while transferring games?

Disconnecting the external hard drive during a transfer can lead to data corruption on both the external drive and the PS5’s internal storage. It’s crucial to allow the transfer to complete uninterrupted. If it’s interrupted, you may need to reformat the external drive and restart the transfer.

9. How much storage space does the PS5 actually have available?

The PS5 comes with a 1TB SSD, but only around 825GB is usable storage space after accounting for the system software and other pre-installed content. This limited space is why external storage is so valuable.

10. Can I upgrade the internal storage of my PS5?

Yes, you can upgrade the internal storage of your PS5 by installing a compatible NVMe SSD in the expansion slot. This requires a specific type of SSD that meets Sony’s requirements for speed and size. This is the only way to increase the available storage for directly playing PS5 games. For more on the impact of games on society, check out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.

11. How many PS5 games can a 2TB external hard drive hold?

The number of games a 2TB external hard drive can hold depends on the size of the games. On average, a AAA PS5 game can range from 50GB to 150GB. A 2TB drive (approximately 2000GB) could hold anywhere from 13 to 40 PS5 games, assuming an average game size of 50GB to 150GB.

12. Is an external SSD faster than an external HDD for storing PS5 games?

While both external SSDs and HDDs can store PS5 games, an external SSD is significantly faster for transferring games to and from the PS5’s internal storage. This means faster load times when you move a game from the external drive back to the internal SSD to play it. However, you still cannot play games directly from an external SSD.

13. Can I use the same external hard drive for my PS4 and PS5?

Yes, you can use the same external hard drive for both your PS4 and PS5, but only for storing and playing PS4 games on the PS5. PS5 games can only be stored, not played, from an external drive. Ensure the drive is properly formatted for use with either console before connecting it.

14. How do I safely remove the external hard drive from my PS5?

To safely remove the external hard drive from your PS5, go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage, and select Safely Remove. This will prevent data corruption. Wait for the confirmation message before physically disconnecting the drive.

15. What if my PS5 doesn’t recognize my external hard drive?

If your PS5 doesn’t recognize your external hard drive, try the following:

• Check the USB connection: Ensure the cable is securely plugged into both the external hard drive and the PS5. Try a different USB port on the PS5, preferably one on the back.
• Verify the drive meets requirements: Confirm that the external hard drive meets the minimum requirements (USB 3.0, 250 GB to 8 TB).
• Restart the PS5: A simple restart can sometimes resolve connectivity issues.
• Try a different USB cable: The cable itself might be faulty.
• Format the drive on a PC: If all else fails, connect the drive to a PC and format it as exFAT or FAT32, then try formatting it on the PS5 again. Remember that formatting will erase all data on the drive!

By following these steps and understanding the limitations of external storage, you can effectively manage your PS5 game library and ensure you always have space for the latest titles. Happy gaming!