How to Set Up USB Extended Storage on PS5 and Move Games to It

Check that your USB drive works with PS5

Use a drive that meets Sony’s USB extended storage rules before you start.

Speed: SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or faster.
Size: 250 GB to 8 TB.
Port: Plug the drive straight into a USB Type-C or Type-A port on the PS5. A USB hub won’t work. (PS5 USB ports guide)
One drive at a time: The PS5 uses only one extended storage drive at once.
Your data: Formatting erases everything on the drive.
No promise: Not every USB drive is guaranteed to work with the PS5.

Turn the USB drive into PS5 extended storage

Plug the USB drive into a USB Type-C or Type-A port on the PS5.
Open Settings, then select Storage.
Select USB Extended Storage, then select Format as USB Extended Storage.

Formatting erases all data on the drive, and you can’t get it back. Don’t unplug the drive or turn off the PS5 while it formats. If you plugged in more than one drive, select Select Another USB Drive to pick the right one.

A drive you already used as extended storage on a PS4 or another PS5 connects as it is. You don’t need to format it again.

Move a PS5 game to the USB drive

Open your Game Library.
Highlight the game, then press the Options button.
Select Move Games and Apps.
Open the Movable to USB Extended Storage tab if you also use an M.2 SSD.
Select Move.

PS5 games can’t run from the USB drive. Copy a game back to the PS5 before you play it.

Play a PS5 game that is on the USB drive

Go to the games home, then select Game Library.
Open the Installed tab.
Highlight the game, then press the Options button.
Select Copy.

The PS5 copies the game data back to its own storage. After that, you can start the game.

Install PS4 games on the USB drive

PS4 games are different. They can install to the USB drive and run from it.

Open Settings.
Select Installation Location.
Set the USB drive as the place PS4 games install.

Remove the USB drive without losing data

Open Settings, then select Storage.
Select USB Extended Storage.
Select Safely Remove from PS5.
Unplug the drive.

You can also turn the PS5 off and wait until the power indicator is completely off before you unplug the drive. Pulling the drive out any other way can cause data loss, corruption, or damage.

Use the drive for something else later

Open Settings, then select Storage.
Select USB Extended Storage.
Open the More menu, then select Format as exFAT.

This erases all game data on the drive. If you’re setting up a new PS5, our PS5 data transfer guide covers the other ways to move your games. Do you keep most of your library on the PS5 or on a USB drive?

Image Credit: Ian Powell on Unsplash