{"id":31786,"date":"2025-02-25T07:21:22","date_gmt":"2025-02-25T07:21:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/?p=31786"},"modified":"2025-02-25T07:21:22","modified_gmt":"2025-02-25T07:21:22","slug":"how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/","title":{"rendered":"How much external storage do I need for PS4?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_67_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#How_Much_External_Storage_Do_I_Need_for_PS4\" title=\"How Much External Storage Do I Need for PS4?\">How Much External Storage Do I Need for PS4?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#Understanding_Your_Storage_Needs\" title=\"Understanding Your Storage Needs\">Understanding Your Storage Needs<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#Why_2TB_is_Usually_the_Best_Option\" title=\"Why 2TB is Usually the Best Option\">Why 2TB is Usually the Best Option<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#When_1TB_Might_Be_Enough\" title=\"When 1TB Might Be Enough\">When 1TB Might Be Enough<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#The_Case_for_Larger_Storage_4TB_and_8TB\" title=\"The Case for Larger Storage: 4TB and 8TB\">The Case for Larger Storage: 4TB and 8TB<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#The_Importance_of_Drive_Type\" title=\"The Importance of Drive Type\">The Importance of Drive Type<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#HDD_External_Drives\" title=\"HDD External Drives\">HDD External Drives<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#SSD_External_Drives\" title=\"SSD External Drives\">SSD External Drives<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#Setting_Up_Your_External_Hard_Drive\" title=\"Setting Up Your External Hard Drive\">Setting Up Your External Hard Drive<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#Conclusion\" title=\"Conclusion\">Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#1_Can_I_use_any_USB_external_hard_drive_with_my_PS4\" title=\"1. Can I use any USB external hard drive with my PS4?\">1. Can I use any USB external hard drive with my PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#2_Do_games_run_slower_on_an_external_hard_drive_on_the_PS4\" title=\"2. Do games run slower on an external hard drive on the PS4?\">2. Do games run slower on an external hard drive on the PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#3_How_many_games_can_a_1TB_external_hard_drive_hold_for_PS4\" title=\"3. How many games can a 1TB external hard drive hold for PS4?\">3. How many games can a 1TB external hard drive hold for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#4_How_many_games_can_a_2TB_external_hard_drive_hold_for_PS4\" title=\"4. How many games can a 2TB external hard drive hold for PS4?\">4. How many games can a 2TB external hard drive hold for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#5_Can_I_run_PS4_games_exclusively_from_an_external_hard_drive\" title=\"5. Can I run PS4 games exclusively from an external hard drive?\">5. Can I run PS4 games exclusively from an external hard drive?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#6_Can_I_save_PS4_game_data_on_an_external_drive\" title=\"6. Can I save PS4 game data on an external drive?\">6. Can I save PS4 game data on an external drive?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#7_Can_I_upgrade_the_internal_hard_drive_of_my_PS4_instead\" title=\"7. Can I upgrade the internal hard drive of my PS4 instead?\">7. Can I upgrade the internal hard drive of my PS4 instead?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#8_Is_an_SSD_external_hard_drive_worth_it_for_PS4\" title=\"8. Is an SSD external hard drive worth it for PS4?\">8. Is an SSD external hard drive worth it for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#9_Does_formatting_an_external_hard_drive_delete_everything\" title=\"9. Does formatting an external hard drive delete everything?\">9. Does formatting an external hard drive delete everything?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#10_Why_isnt_my_PS4_recognizing_my_external_hard_drive\" title=\"10. Why isn&#8217;t my PS4 recognizing my external hard drive?\">10. Why isn&#8217;t my PS4 recognizing my external hard drive?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#11_How_do_I_format_an_external_hard_drive_for_PS4\" title=\"11. How do I format an external hard drive for PS4?\">11. How do I format an external hard drive for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#12_What_is_the_maximum_external_storage_capacity_for_PS4\" title=\"12. What is the maximum external storage capacity for PS4?\">12. What is the maximum external storage capacity for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#13_Can_I_use_my_external_hard_drive_on_a_PC_and_a_PS4\" title=\"13. Can I use my external hard drive on a PC and a PS4?\">13. Can I use my external hard drive on a PC and a PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#14_Is_4TB_a_lot_of_storage_for_PS4\" title=\"14. Is 4TB a lot of storage for PS4?\">14. Is 4TB a lot of storage for PS4?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/#15_Is_it_necessary_to_back_up_the_internal_storage_before_upgrading\" title=\"15. Is it necessary to back up the internal storage before upgrading?\">15. Is it necessary to back up the internal storage before upgrading?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Much_External_Storage_Do_I_Need_for_PS4\"><\/span>How Much External Storage Do I Need for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>The question of <strong>how much external storage you need for your PlayStation 4 (PS4)<\/strong> is a common one for gamers. The short answer is: it depends on your gaming habits, but a <strong>2TB external hard drive is generally considered the sweet spot<\/strong>. This provides a substantial amount of space for most gamers without breaking the bank. However, the ideal amount can vary. A <strong>minimum of 250GB<\/strong> is required for PS4 compatible external drives, up to a <strong>maximum of 8TB<\/strong>. Let&#8217;s dive into what makes these recommendations and what other factors might influence your choice.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Your_Storage_Needs\"><\/span>Understanding Your Storage Needs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Before committing to a specific size, you need to consider:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>How many games do you typically have installed at once?<\/strong> If you&#8217;re someone who likes to keep a large library of games ready to play, you\u2019ll need more storage.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What size are the games you play?<\/strong> Some <strong>AAA games can easily exceed 50GB<\/strong>, while indie titles might be much smaller, some under 5GB.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Do you anticipate purchasing a lot of new games in the near future?<\/strong> If so, it&#8217;s wise to plan for expansion.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Are you comfortable deleting games to free up space?<\/strong> If not, you should lean towards a larger drive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Thinking about these points will help you determine whether you\u2019re closer to needing a 1TB drive or something closer to 8TB.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_2TB_is_Usually_the_Best_Option\"><\/span>Why 2TB is Usually the Best Option<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>2TB external hard drive<\/strong> strikes a good balance between cost and capacity for the average PS4 user. It can comfortably hold over <strong>50 games<\/strong>, allowing you to maintain a varied gaming library without constantly deleting and re-downloading content. With most AAA games ranging from 40-50GB each, 2TB provides the breathing room you need. This capacity allows you to accumulate games without being overly concerned about constantly running out of space.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_1TB_Might_Be_Enough\"><\/span>When 1TB Might Be Enough<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>1TB external hard drive<\/strong> could be suitable for gamers with less intense needs. If you:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Primarily play a few favorite games.<\/li>\n<li>Are comfortable frequently deleting older games.<\/li>\n<li>Don&#8217;t have a large digital library.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A 1TB drive will likely hold around <strong>25+ games<\/strong>, sufficient for some. However, as games grow larger, a 1TB drive can feel limiting quickly.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Case_for_Larger_Storage_4TB_and_8TB\"><\/span>The Case for Larger Storage: 4TB and 8TB<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For those who want ultimate peace of mind, <strong>4TB or even 8TB external hard drives<\/strong> are viable options. These provide a significant amount of space and are ideal for:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Gamers with extensive digital libraries.<\/li>\n<li>People who prefer not to manage storage by deleting games.<\/li>\n<li>Families or shared console users who have multiple profiles and diverse tastes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A <strong>4TB drive can store 100+ titles<\/strong>, while an <strong>8TB drive maximizes capacity<\/strong>. These are particularly suitable for those who purchase most games digitally and like having everything readily available. Keep in mind, an 8TB capacity is the maximum supported size on the PS4.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Importance_of_Drive_Type\"><\/span>The Importance of Drive Type<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Beyond capacity, you also need to consider the type of external drive: <strong>HDD (Hard Disk Drive) vs. SSD (Solid State Drive)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"HDD_External_Drives\"><\/span>HDD External Drives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Most external drives you see will be <strong>HDDs<\/strong>, known for being more <strong>affordable<\/strong> and having larger storage capacities for the price. They provide the same <strong>load times<\/strong> that you\u2019d be used to with the PS4&#8217;s internal drive. Seagate HDDs are a popular and reliable choice.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"SSD_External_Drives\"><\/span>SSD External Drives<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>SSDs<\/strong> are known for their <strong>faster read\/write speeds<\/strong>, which theoretically lead to shorter loading times. While you will notice a <strong>20% load time improvement<\/strong> on a PS4 Pro, and a similar small benefit for other PS4 models, it&#8217;s not significant enough to justify the higher cost of an external SSD. The overall <strong>performance gains<\/strong> are often not worth the investment for the average gamer. An SSD is mostly beneficial if you intend to use it for other purposes in addition to PS4 storage.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Setting_Up_Your_External_Hard_Drive\"><\/span>Setting Up Your External Hard Drive<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>It is essential to <strong>format your external hard drive<\/strong> before you use it with your PS4. This can be done by navigating to <strong>Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices<\/strong>, and then selecting <strong>Format as Extended Storage<\/strong>. The drive will then be set up to store your applications and games.  The games will still run off of the external drive, but user saved data will still be saved to the PS4\u2019s internal storage. You can move applications to external storage through the <strong>System Storage<\/strong> menu.<\/p>\n<p>It is also important to note that <strong>Backup Plus Hub products are not compatible<\/strong> with PS4 as of now. Additionally, make sure that the drive is connected with a wired connection, is <strong>USB 3.0 or later compatible<\/strong>, and is plugged into the PS4 directly and not through a hub. This ensures proper communication and avoids compatibility issues.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span>Conclusion<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In summary, the optimal external storage size for your PS4 depends on your gaming needs. While a <strong>2TB drive is generally a safe and excellent choice<\/strong>, a 1TB drive may be adequate for casual players, and 4TB or 8TB is ideal for gamers with large collections. <strong>HDDs are the most cost effective<\/strong> method for storage expansion on PS4, as SSDs will offer limited performance benefits, despite a higher cost. With careful consideration of your personal usage patterns and following the set up procedures correctly, you will find the perfect storage solution for your PlayStation 4.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Can_I_use_any_USB_external_hard_drive_with_my_PS4\"><\/span>1. Can I use any USB external hard drive with my PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, not every external hard drive will work. It must be a <strong>USB 3.0 or later<\/strong> external hard drive, have a <strong>minimum capacity of 250GB<\/strong> and a <strong>maximum capacity of 8TB<\/strong>, and be directly connected to the console via a wired connection.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Do_games_run_slower_on_an_external_hard_drive_on_the_PS4\"><\/span>2. Do games run slower on an external hard drive on the PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Unless the speed of your <strong>external drive is slower than the internal drive<\/strong>, the game experience will not be slower. Generally, an <strong>HDD external drive offers the same load times<\/strong> as the internal hard drive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_How_many_games_can_a_1TB_external_hard_drive_hold_for_PS4\"><\/span>3. How many games can a 1TB external hard drive hold for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>1TB external hard drive can generally hold 25+ games<\/strong>, though this can vary depending on the size of each game.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_How_many_games_can_a_2TB_external_hard_drive_hold_for_PS4\"><\/span>4. How many games can a 2TB external hard drive hold for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>A <strong>2TB external hard drive can hold 50+ games<\/strong>, offering a comfortable space for most gamers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Can_I_run_PS4_games_exclusively_from_an_external_hard_drive\"><\/span>5. Can I run PS4 games exclusively from an external hard drive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>games and applications can be installed and run directly from the external hard drive<\/strong>, while user save data remains on the console&#8217;s internal drive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Can_I_save_PS4_game_data_on_an_external_drive\"><\/span>6. Can I save PS4 game data on an external drive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, <strong>user saved game data must be stored on the internal hard drive<\/strong> of the console, and cannot be moved to an external drive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Can_I_upgrade_the_internal_hard_drive_of_my_PS4_instead\"><\/span>7. Can I upgrade the internal hard drive of my PS4 instead?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, you can <strong>upgrade the internal hard drive<\/strong> for more storage. This can be more complex but can be an alternative if you want to avoid an external device. However, keep in mind that the internal storage will only have a capacity of 2TB.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Is_an_SSD_external_hard_drive_worth_it_for_PS4\"><\/span>8. Is an SSD external hard drive worth it for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An <strong>external SSD may offer slightly faster load times<\/strong>, but the improvement over a standard <strong>HDD is usually not significant enough to justify the extra cost<\/strong> for a PS4.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"9_Does_formatting_an_external_hard_drive_delete_everything\"><\/span>9. Does formatting an external hard drive delete everything?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>formatting an external hard drive will delete all data<\/strong> on it. You should back up any data you wish to keep before formatting the drive.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"10_Why_isnt_my_PS4_recognizing_my_external_hard_drive\"><\/span>10. Why isn&#8217;t my PS4 recognizing my external hard drive?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Ensure your drive is connected via a <strong>wired USB 3.0 connection directly to the PS4<\/strong>, is formatted correctly, is compatible with the PS4, and that no other external hard drives are plugged in.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"11_How_do_I_format_an_external_hard_drive_for_PS4\"><\/span>11. How do I format an external hard drive for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Go to <strong>Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices<\/strong>, then select <strong>Format as Extended Storage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"12_What_is_the_maximum_external_storage_capacity_for_PS4\"><\/span>12. What is the maximum external storage capacity for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The <strong>maximum supported external storage capacity for a PS4 is 8TB<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"13_Can_I_use_my_external_hard_drive_on_a_PC_and_a_PS4\"><\/span>13. Can I use my external hard drive on a PC and a PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>No, once the drive is formatted for PS4, it <strong>cannot be used on a PC<\/strong> without reformatting, which will delete any game files.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"14_Is_4TB_a_lot_of_storage_for_PS4\"><\/span>14. Is 4TB a lot of storage for PS4?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, <strong>4TB provides a substantial amount of storage<\/strong> and can hold 100+ games, ideal for avid gamers.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"15_Is_it_necessary_to_back_up_the_internal_storage_before_upgrading\"><\/span>15. Is it necessary to back up the internal storage before upgrading?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, it&#8217;s always a good idea to back up your <strong>internal storage<\/strong> before making any changes, even if just to an external drive, to ensure no data loss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>How Much External Storage Do I Need for PS4? The question of how much external storage you need for your PlayStation 4 (PS4) is a common one for gamers. The short answer is: it depends on your gaming habits, but a 2TB external hard drive is generally considered the sweet spot. This provides a substantial &#8230; <a title=\"How much external storage do I need for PS4?\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/how-much-external-storage-do-i-need-for-ps4\/\" aria-label=\"More on How much external storage do I need for PS4?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-31786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31786\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gameslearningsociety.org\/wiki\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}