How to Increase Your PS5 Storage Space
Play Station 5 is a next-generation gaming console, and so is its Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD-an internal storage unit optimized for speed and high-power gaming experience.
The only problem is that this internal drive has just 667.2GB of usable space, which is limited for people who want to install more than a few titles. For example, Destiny 2 takes up around 100 GB, while Assassin’s Creed Odyssey takes twice as much space.
Little wonder many people want to know how to increase their PS5 storage space. Luckily, there is a solution. Feel free to use any of these three methods to add a chunk of additional space to your PS5.
Method 1: Install a Second Internal Solid State Drive on Your PS5
Installing a second SSD is the best way to increase your PS5 storage. But this method can be daunting for most people. Aside from the fact that internal SSDs cost a fortune, the process is quite techy.
First, You’d have to purchase an internal PCIe Gen 4 M.2 NVMe SSD card, preferably from late August 2021. After that, you will unscrew the storage compartment to install the additional SSD card.
Sony has said that it cannot guarantee that all M.2 SSDs will work on the PS5, but here are some of the recommended specifications you should shop for:
- A Gen 4 x 4 M.2 NVMe SSD Card type of 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 and 22110 with length of 30, 42, 60, 80 or 110mm, respectively
- It should have a storage capacity of 250GB to 4TB in capacity.
- It should have a 22mm width.
- Speed should be around 5.5gb/s (recommended)
- It should have a built-in heat sink or be capable of having a heatsink added.
- Total size, including heatsink, can’t be more than 110mm (L) x 25mm (W) x 11.25mm (H)
Installing an M.2 SSDs is a long-term fix for the limited PS5 storage, but it costs around 300-700 USD depending on the size. So, shop around for the best deal and learn how to install an M.2 SSD drive in your PS5.
Method 2: Store Games on an External Hard Drive
Storing unplayed or new games on an external drive means you have more titles to play and enjoy additional storage space on your PS5. Many of the modern external drives are compatible with the PS5 console. But there are a few exceptions you should know:
First, Sony’s recommendation is that any external drive used should have storage of at least 250GB and below 8TB. Secondly, the external storage drive should be USB Superspeed 5Gbps or later. Now, that is where you have to choose between an SSD or an HDD. While it is general knowledge that SSDs are faster than HDDs, SSDs are also costlier.
The downside of this method is that you will have to transfer PS5 games to the console each time because you cannot run them directly from the external storage. Only PS4 games can run directly from the external hard drive on PS5. And you will enjoy a fast, quality-graphic gaming experience without problems if you use an SSD.
Method 3: Delete Media Properties and your Unplayed Games
If you want to free up some space on your PS5, you can delete games you’re not playing. Deleting a game is as easy as deleting a file on your computer, helping you save more space with no additional cost.
Here is how:
- Go to the storage menu and select the Console tab
- In the console tab, click on Games and Apps
- Use the sort button (three lines and an arrow) on the top left to filter the games and apps according to size, date installed, etc.
- Select the game you wish to remove and click delete.
There you have three methods to increase storage space on your PS5. Enjoy!
