Running out of space is the most common PS5 problem. Big games now take 80 to 150GB each, and a 1TB PS5 leaves only about 850GB for games. The good news is that PlayStation storage is easy to expand. You can add an internal M.2 SSD that plays PS5 games at full speed, or plug in a PlayStation 5 external hard drive for PS4 games and backups. This guide explains both options, which drives to buy and how to install them.
Two types of PS5 storage expansion
| Option | Plays PS5 games? | Plays PS4 games? | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal M.2 NVMe SSD | Yes, at full speed | Yes | $70 to $250 for 1TB to 4TB |
| USB external hard drive or SSD | Store only, must copy back to play | Yes, plays directly | $60 to $150 for 2TB to 5TB |
Option 1: add an internal M.2 SSD (best)
Every PS5, including the slim model, the Digital Edition and the PS5 Pro, has a spare M.2 slot inside. An NVMe SSD installed there works exactly like the built-in storage, so PS5 games load just as fast.
What SSD do you need?
- M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 (Gen 5 drives also work, at Gen 4 speeds).
- Read speed of at least 5,500MB/s is recommended; most good Gen 4 drives are 7,000MB/s.
- Capacity from 250GB up to 8TB.
- Size 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110, with 2280 the most common.
- A heatsink, either built in or added. Sony recommends cooling; the slot has room for a slim heatsink.
Popular choices are the WD_Black SN850X with heatsink, the Samsung 990 Pro with heatsink, the Crucial T500 and Seagate FireCuda 530. A 2TB drive is the sweet spot for price per gigabyte.
How to install an M.2 SSD in your PS5
- Update the PS5 system software, then turn the console fully off and unplug it.
- On the slim PS5, remove the lower cover (the one without the PS logo) by lifting it from the corner. On the original PS5, lie it with the PS logo down and slide off the white cover.
- Remove the metal expansion slot cover with a Phillips screwdriver.
- Move the spacer to match your drive length, insert the SSD at an angle, press it down and secure it with the screw.
- Replace the covers, plug in and turn on. The PS5 will offer to format the drive. Accept, and you are done.
After formatting, you can choose where new games install and move games between internal and M.2 storage in Settings, Storage.
Option 2: use a PlayStation 5 external hard drive
A USB drive connected to the PS5 can store PS5 games and play PS4 games directly. PS5 games cannot run from USB storage, so you have to copy them back to internal or M.2 storage to play, which is still much faster than downloading them again.
Requirements
- USB 3.0 or later (SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps or faster).
- Capacity between 250GB and 8TB.
- Connect it directly to a rear USB port, not through a hub.
Good choices include the Seagate Game Drive for PlayStation, the WD_Black P10, and portable SSDs such as the Samsung T7, which make copying games much quicker than a spinning hard drive.
Setting it up
- Plug the drive into a rear USB port.
- Go to Settings, Storage, USB Extended Storage and choose Format as USB Extended Storage.
- Move PS4 games and any PS5 games you are not playing to the drive.
Which PlayStation storage option should you choose?
- You play lots of new PS5 games: buy a 2TB M.2 SSD.
- You have a big PS4 library: add a cheap external hard drive for PS4 games.
- You have both: M.2 for PS5 games, USB for PS4 games and archives.
Tips to save space without buying anything
- Delete game modes you do not play: many games let you uninstall the campaign or multiplayer separately from the game’s Manage Game Content menu.
- Delete video captures and screenshots, which can take tens of gigabytes. Find them in Settings, Storage, Media Gallery.
- Use the PS5’s storage screen to sort games by size and remove the largest ones you have finished.
- With PlayStation Plus Premium, stream some games instead of installing them. See the PlayStation Plus hub.
PS5 Pro and Digital Edition storage
The PS5 Pro ships with 2TB and the Digital Edition with about 1TB. Both use the same M.2 slot and USB rules, so everything in this guide applies. If you are still choosing a model, read the PS5 buying guide.
PS5 storage FAQ
Can a PlayStation 5 external hard drive play PS5 games?
No. It can store them and play PS4 games. PS5 games must run from internal or M.2 storage.
What is the maximum PS5 storage upgrade?
Up to 8TB on the M.2 slot and up to 8TB on a USB drive.
Do I need a heatsink for a PS5 SSD?
Sony recommends one. Many drives come with a heatsink built in.
Will installing an SSD void my warranty?
No. The M.2 slot is designed to be user-accessible.
Is a Gen 5 SSD faster on PS5?
No. The PS5 slot runs at Gen 4 speeds, so a good Gen 4 drive is the best value.
How much storage do you really need?
A useful rule of thumb is to count the games you play in a typical month and multiply by 100GB. If you rotate between three or four big games, the built-in storage is tight but workable. If you like to keep ten or more games installed, or you have a family sharing one console, a 2TB expansion is the right size. Sports games, Call of Duty and large open-world games are the biggest offenders, and their updates often need extra free space to install, so keep at least 100GB free at all times to avoid update errors.
Common problems after installing an SSD
- The PS5 does not detect the drive: turn the console off, reseat the SSD firmly in the slot, and make sure the screw is not over-tightened.
- The PS5 says the drive is not supported: the drive may be too slow or the wrong type. Check that it is NVMe, not SATA, and PCIe Gen 4 or newer.
- Games load slower than expected: run the speed test that appears during formatting. If the read speed is under 5,500MB/s, move your most demanding games back to internal storage.
- The console runs hot: make sure a heatsink is fitted and the console has space to breathe.
Moving games between drives
To move a game, go to Settings, Storage, choose the drive where it is installed, select Games and Apps, then Move Items. Select the games and confirm. Moving between internal storage and an M.2 SSD is fast; moving to or from a USB hard drive is slower, so do it when you are not about to play. Saved games stay in system storage and in PS Plus cloud saves, so moving games never deletes your progress.
Should you buy a bigger console instead?
The PS5 Pro has 2TB built in, but buying it only for the storage is expensive. A 2TB M.2 SSD costs a fraction of the price difference between a PS5 and a PS5 Pro, so for most players the upgrade is far better value. Choose the Pro for its graphics, not its storage. Compare them in our PS5 Pro vs PS5 guide.
Whichever route you choose, buy from a major retailer so you can return a drive that is dead on arrival, and register it for the manufacturer warranty, which is usually five years for good NVMe SSDs.
Checked October 28, 2026.