Expandable Internal PS5 Storage is Finally Here, But There’s a Catch

Jon Bitner
·8 min read
3

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PlayStation 5 is an incredible next-gen gaming console, but its limited storage capacity has given players a rough time. As it stands, both versions of the Sony system come with 825GB of internal space, but you’ll only have access to 667GB – the remainder is required for built-in software. Games today often consume nearly 100GB of free space, so you’re bound to run into storage issues by the time you try installing your seventh or eighth game.

Thankfully, Sony has finally given PS5 owners the ability to expand internal SSD space with compatible M.2 cards. The long-awaited feature is currently only available to beta testers, but should be rolled out to the masses in the coming months.

PlayStation 5 is also compatible with numerous external drives, giving you a variety of options when it comes to storage expansion. However, not all products are the same – hard drives offer a cheap solution at the expense of speed, while solid-state drives offer lightning-fast load times but carry a steep price tag.

If you’re looking to upgrade the available storage on your PlayStation 5, here’s everything you need to know.

playstation 5 ps5 and controller disc edition on white background
Credit: Sony

Official Internal Storage Expansion Now Available to Beta Testers

  • Pros: Official support from Sony, closest performance to internal storage

  • Cons: Can be expensive, requires some technical know-how

Sony has rolled out official support for internal SSD expansion – that is, so long as you’re one of its beta testers. This means you’ll be able to crack open your PlayStation 5 and install certain drives that meet the strict requirements of Sony. It also means you’ll need to be confident in your technical abilities, as you’ll be removing the PlayStation 5’s faceplate and installing the expansion on your own.

The good news is you don’t need to be a computer genius to get things running properly.

Here’s a quick look at how to join the PS5 beta program, along with SSD compatibility requirements:

Join the PS5 Beta

  • Sign up for the PS5 System Software Beta using this link.

  • Once you’ve been approved for the program, navigate to the Settings menu on your PS5.

  • From there, select System > System Software > System Software Update and Settings.

  • Choose Update System Software (beta) > Update.

With that out of the way, you’re ready to install your new M.2 SSD.

m2 slot on playstation 5 ps5 ssd internal slickdeals
Credit: Slickdeals

How to Install Your Internal SSD

  • Ensure you are using an SSD that meets the requirements laid out by Sony. The list of requirements is lengthy, so make sure you check them out before beginning your installation process. You’ll also want to double-check with the manufacturer or your specific drive, as some SSDs that meet the requirements still may not be compatible.

  • With the latest beta software installed on your PS5, turn off the console and unplug all cables and connected devices.

  • Let the PS5 cool down for a few minutes.

  • Set the console on a flat surface and unscrew the base.

  • Place the console in a position so the PS logo is facedown, and the power button is on your left.

  • Gently pull the cover off by grabbing it near the top corners and moving your hands towards your body.

  • With the cover off, remove the screw from the expansion slot – it’s the rectangular section near the front of the fan.

  • Remove another screw and spacer from inside the expansion slot.

  • Insert your M.2 SSD by aligning the notch on the PS5 with that of your SSD.

  • Replace all screws, spacers and covers. Reconnect your PS5, format your SSD and you’re ready to play!

While there are a decent number of steps involved in the process, none of them are technically challenging. Take your time, move slowly and your M.2 SSD will be installed in no time.

All that hassle is worth the effort. Games installed on your new drive will run just as fast as if they were installed on the native SSD – which gives this method of storage expansion a leg up on all other entries on this list.

The biggest downside is the price of compatible SSDs – however, some are competitively priced when compared to similarly-sized external SSDs. The console uses a PCle 4.0 interface for its internal SSD, which is what allows high transfer speeds, and little-to-no-lagging, for gaming. Games also typically require around 100GB of storage, which means that serious gamers are going to want to invest in a 1TB or 2TB upgrade.

This is without a doubt the best way to upgrade your PS5’s storage, and these four products offer some of the best value on the market:

USB Solid-State Drives – The Fastest Option

WD_BLACK P50 1TB External USB 3.2
WD_BLACK P50 1TB External USB 3.2

  • Pros: Fast load times

  • Cons: Expensive, can’t store PS5 games

Solid-state drives are quickly becoming the de facto storage solution for gaming. These offer lightning-fast loading speeds to rival the internal storage on PS5. Despite their speed, however, external solid-state drives can’t run PlayStation 5 games. Instead, you’ll only be able to run backward compatible PS4 games from the drive.

Sony recently issued an update that lets you store games on external drives – you still can’t play them on external drives, but at least you’ll just need to transfer the files instead of re-installing them.

External SSDs aren’t cheap, and since you still can’t play PS5 games on any of them, your money might be better served on an internal expansion.

Need the portability offered by external storage? There are plenty of great solid-state drives on the market, although these are some of our favorites:

USB Hard Drives – The Cheapest Option

WD 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive, Black - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN
WD 4TB My Passport Portable External Hard Drive, Black - WDBPKJ0040BBK-WESN

  • Pros: Cheap price tag

  • Cons: Slow loading times, can’t store PS5 games

External hard drives load considerably slower than their solid-state counterparts, but they come with a much more appealing price tag. This makes them an excellent choice for housing a massive library of games without breaking your budget.

In fact, if you happen to be using an external hard drive with your old PlayStation 4 or Xbox One, odds are good that it’s compatible with your new PlayStation 5.

While external hard drives aren’t the fastest choice, they’re actually a very enticing product right now because of their low asking price. As it was with external SSDs, PS5 games can now be stored on external HDDs. You can’t play PS5 games directly from your HDD, but it’ll save you the need to reinstall the game – letting you instead just transfer the files to your internal drive.

Most hard drives on the market today are compatible with PS5, but these are long-standing favorites in the gaming community:

Sony’s Guidelines for External Storage

Sony offers a few official guidelines when choosing a compatible external drive. If none of the above products caught your eye, make sure your prospective drive checks all these boxes:

  • SuperSpeed USB 5Gbps or later.

  • 250 GB minimum, 8 TB maximum capacity.

  • An extended storage drive cannot be used through a USB hub.

It’s worth pointing out that most external drives should work with PS5, but not everything on the market is supported. Typically, well-known products from reputable manufacturers have no problem connecting to the console, while obscure Amazon purchases might leave you out in the cold.

To learn more about Sony’s requirements – and for a detailed walkthrough of setting up your new drive – refer to the official PlayStation website.

Tips and Tricks to Maximize Your PS5 Storage Space

ps5 controller
Credit: iStock.com/Girts Ragelis

While PS5 doesn’t give you a lot of internal storage to play around with, there are a few ways you can make the most of the limited space. Here are a few tips to help organize your library and keep your drive uncluttered:

  • Store PS4 titles on external drives. Since PlayStation 5 titles can’t be played from external drives, make sure you’re not clogging up internal storage space with old PlayStation 4 games.

  • Pick the right-sized drive. External storage drives need to be at least 250GB, but no larger than 8TB – otherwise you might run into some compatibility issues with PS5.

  • Keep an HDD and SSD around. Although PlayStation 5 cannot read two external drives at once, you’re free to swap them out as often as needed. We’d recommend storing demanding PS4 titles on a solid-state drive to take advantage of its faster speeds, while older, less-demanding ones can be kept on your external hard drive.

  • Be sure to update your games frequently. Developers are realizing next-gen space is at a premium, and some are issuing updates that radically reduce file size.

  • Regularly delete old games you no longer play – you might be surprised how much space these neglected titles are consuming. Since PS5 lets you download games while you’re away from the console, you don’t have to worry about lengthy install times if you decide you want to jump back into a title you previously deleted.

  • If you’re not keen to become a PS5 beta tester, we’d recommend holding off on pricey external drives until Sony rolls out the internal SSD upgrade to all users. It’s without a doubt the best way to expand your storage, and opting for an external drive might cause some buyer’s remorse a few months down the line.

More to consider:

Our editors strive to ensure that the information in this article is accurate as of the date published, but please keep in mind that offers can change. We encourage you to verify all terms and conditions of any product before you apply.