Moving PS5 Games to External Storage

This article explains how to move PS5 games to external storage on your PlayStation 5 console. It includes details on the required storage device specifications, the process for moving games, and some useful features related to external storage.

Requirements for External Storage

To move PS5 games to external storage, you’ll need a compatible USB drive meeting the following criteria:

• USB 3.0 or higher with 5 Gigabits of speed
• Minimum 250 GB of storage, maximum 8 TB of storage
• Plug directly into the rear USB ports of the PS5 (do not use hubs or front USB ports)

While you can use multiple drives, they cannot be used simultaneously. Only one external drive can be connected at a time.

Steps to Move Games to External Storage

1. Navigate to Settings: On your PS5 console, access the Settings menu.
2. Select Storage: Go to the Storage section within Settings.
3. Choose Console Storage: Choose Console Storage from the options available.
4. Go to Games and Apps: Navigate to the Games and Apps section within Console Storage.
5. Select “Move PS5 Games”: Look for the “Move PS5 Games” option within the Games and Apps section.
6. Choose Games to Transfer: Select the games you wish to move to external storage. You’ll see a preview of your storage space before and after the transfer on the right side of the screen.
7. Confirm Transfer: Confirm your selection, and the games will begin to copy to the external storage device.

Storage Device Performance Considerations

While both hard disk drives (HDD) and solid-state drives (SSD) can be used, the speed difference between the two is negligible in practice. Since you cannot play PS5 games directly off of external storage, prioritize getting the largest storage capacity you can afford. This allows for storing more PS5 games and allows you to play PS4 games from the external drive as well.

Accessing Games from External Storage

Once your games are copied, you’ll notice a small icon in your game library indicating that the game is stored on external storage. To play the game, simply click on the game’s menu and select “Copy.” This will copy the necessary data back to your PS5’s internal storage so you can begin playing.

Additional Features of External Storage

When accessing games from external storage, you’ll find some additional features in the “Downloads and Copies” section. You can see how much data needs to be downloaded before the game can be launched, allowing you to start playing without waiting for the entire transfer to complete. This feature is particularly useful for large PS5 games.

Conclusion

Moving PS5 games to external storage offers a convenient way to manage your console’s storage space and enjoy a larger game library. By following these steps and choosing a compatible USB drive, you can seamlessly transfer games and access them when you’re ready to play. Even with the introduction of NVMe storage in the future, external storage is likely to remain a valuable tool for storing PS5 games and playing PS4 titles.

For the most up-to-date information and compatibility details, it’s always a good idea to refer to the official PlayStation support website and any official announcements from Sony.