You can add external storage via a USB port on the console, but you’re going to run into performance hiccups due to the speed of the connection and drives. Instead of adding external storage, you can add another SSD to your PS5 using the built-in and empty SSD slot, which should help alleviate any performance issues. Also: The best PS5 external hard drives for storing all your games Below I’ll walk you through what you’ll need and the steps you’ll take to install an SSD in your PlayStation, expanding your gaming storage.
How to install an SSD in a PlayStation 5
What you’ll need: To add additional storage to your PlayStation 5 using the built-in SSD slot, you’ll need some supplies. You’ll, of course, need an SSD. There’s a certain type of SSD that Sony requires. More specifically, you’ll need a PCIe 4.0 M.2 SSD with a heatsink. That’s a lot of jargon, I know. But the good news is, pretty much every company that makes SSDs has an SSD that’ll work with and is advertised for the PS5. Also: The best PS5 games I used a Samsung EVO 980 Pro SSD that meets all of Sony’s requirements and comes in various storage capacities. Also: How to cool your Raspberry Pi (and should you?) Finally, you’ll need a #1 Phillips head screwdriver. I have this kit from iFixit and use it all the time – highly recommend. I’d never installed an SSD in PS5, and it took me under 10 minutes from start to finish. Also: The best PS5 headsets you can buy To gain access to the SSD slot, you’ll need to remove the back cover. If you have it positioned face down and the back of the console facing you, lift up on the front right corner and slide to the left. Once it’s off, set the panel to the side. There’s a single screw holding the cover in place; remove it and set it aside in a safe place. Optional step: Take a few seconds to appreciate the PlayStation button icons on the head of the screw. There are various holes inside the SSD housing that correspond with the various lengths of SSD cards. I held my SSD inside the housing to figure out which hole lined up with the end of it. Also: The best gaming SSDs for PC, Xbox, and PS5 I then placed the spacer over the hole – it’s held in place by three dots, so don’t worry about perfectly lining it up or keeping it in place. Put the expansion slot cover back onto the housing using the included screw, then put the back cover back on the PS5. Connect it to power and the HDMI cable. Also: The best game consoles If you bought the SSD specifically for the PS5, that’s not a big deal. However, if you’re repurposing an SSD from a PC and it has important files on it, you’ll want to transfer them off before formatting the drive. Once it’s formatted, you can move games between the internal SSD and your newly installed expanded storage. That wasn’t so bad now, was it?
