Sony’s PlayStation 5 receives external storage options – USB FTW

Sony has updated their PlayStation 5 console to enable external PlayStation 5 storage options, allowing PS5 games to be moved onto external, USB-based storage solutions. 

Sadly, while PlayStation 4 titles can be played using external storage solutions, PS5 games cannot be played from external storage devices. Simply put, USB-based storage solutions cannot match the PlayStation 5’s internal SSD performance, making them incompatible with PS5 game playback. 

What’s the point if I can’t play my games from USB? 

While PS5 users cannot play PS5 games from external storage solutions, they can be used to temporarily store PlayStation 5 games, eliminating the need to uninstall and redownload games when your PlayStation 5’s internal storage is fully occupied. Moving games to and from external storage solutions are faster than re-downloading games, especially for external SSD storage solutions. 

When will Sony offer expanded storage options for its PlayStation 5 console?

Unlike Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S consoles, Sony’s PlayStation 5 currently lacks support for external storage solutions. While the console has an unutilised M.2 SSD slot, Sony has not enabled the use of this SSD expansion port in firmware, and neither have they released or validated any PS5 compatible SSDs. 

Until Sony enables the PlayStation 5’s internal M.2 SSD expansion option, the console’s internal storage will be limited to 825GB, of which only 667GB is usable. Eventually, Sony will release a firmware update for PS5 to enable storage expansion, allowing PlayStation 5 consoles to support more full-speed SSD storage. 

 

    PS5 Storage Expansion and Management

Store PS5 Games on Compatible External USB Drives.* With this feature, you can now transfer your PS5 games to USB extended storage from your console’s internal storage. It’s a great way to extend the storage capabilities of your PS5 console, and you can seamlessly copy your PS5 games back to the console’s internal storage when you’re ready to play. It is faster to reinstall PS5 games from USB extended storage than to re-download or copy them from a disc.

Because PS5 games are designed to take advantage of the console’s ultra high-speed SSD, PS5 titles can’t be played from USB extended storage. PS5 titles also cannot be directly downloaded to USB extended storage. However, games that you transfer or copy back to internal storage will automatically update when applicable. In addition, you can select which game modes you want to install (such as campaign or multiplayer) for select titles that support the option.

For tips on using USB extended storage on PS5, including storage device requirements, please visit: https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps5-extended-storage/.

As previously announced, the PS5 console will support storage expansion via M.2 drives in the future. We’re currently working on this feature and will keep you posted with any updates on PlayStation Blog.

  
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