Need More PS5 Storage? Here’s What to Know About Internal and External SSDs
The PS5 only gives you 667GB of usable space out of 825GB total — and today's AAA titles eat through that fast. Here's how to actually expand it, and which route fits your setup.
Why Do You Need to Expand Your PS5's Storage?
Even disc-based games have to be installed before they'll run — the disc alone doesn't get you playing. If you're not collecting physical copies, that mostly leaves you weighing a bulkier, pricier disc console against a slimmer digital one, while storage limits catch up with either choice eventually. The PS5 Pro pushed CPU, GPU, and memory bandwidth forward, but its built-in storage capacity didn't move — so an SSD upgrade is still very much on the table for anyone with a growing library.
If you play large games, installing an internal SSD lets you launch them directly.
Internal or External SSD?
Expansion comes down to a PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD installed inside the console, or a plug-and-play external SSD. Which one fits depends on how you actually play.
Launch games directly with no file transfers back and forth. Best for frequently playing large titles — go 1TB or larger, and prioritize a model with a heatsink for sustained performance.
No installation needed — plug it in and go. More versatile too, doubling as everyday photo storage or a computer backup drive when you're not gaming.
A PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 2280 SSD built to PS5's official specification, with a heatsink for stable performance and reduced load times under sustained play.
A USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 external SSD rated around 1,050MB/s — fast enough to move a 40GB game file in under a minute, and works across PS5, Xbox Series X, and iPhone.
Transfer speeds on external drives have come a long way — enough to make skipping the internal install entirely a genuinely practical choice for a lot of players.
How to Add an M.2 SSD to Your PS5?
Before buying, confirm the drive meets Sony's official specification and includes a heatsink, thermal pad, or other cooling structure — heat management matters more than it seems. Also double-check the interface: only M.2 NVMe SSDs work in a PS5. M.2 SATA SSDs look similar but use a different transfer interface entirely, and installing the wrong one simply won't work.
PS5 SSD Installation Steps
Update the PS5 to the latest system software first, then power it off and let it cool. You'll need a Phillips-head screwdriver, good lighting, and a way to discharge static electricity (touching a metal object works) before handling the SSD.
- Lay the console flat, remove the base, then slide the side cover off.
- Remove the screw on the rectangular cover plate above the expansion slot.
- Lift the cover plate off, then remove the screw and spacer from the green expansion slot.
- Insert the SSD into the slot and secure it with the screw — it will only seat correctly if aligned properly.
- Reattach the cover.
- Power on and follow the on-screen prompt to format the drive.
Back up any existing files on the SSD before formatting — the process wipes the drive.
Conclusion
Internal vs. external comes down to how you play: frequent large-game installs favor an internal SSD you can launch straight from, while flexibility and portability favor an external drive that doubles as backup storage elsewhere. Either way, matching the drive to your actual habits — not just the biggest number on the box — is what makes the upgrade worth it.
Can I expand my PS5's storage capacity?
Yes — install an M.2 NVMe SSD internally, or use an external SSD you can plug in and play from directly.
How do I install an SSD in my PS5?
Update the console, power it off to cool, discharge static electricity, then remove the base and side cover, the expansion slot cover plate, and its screw. Insert the SSD, secure it, reassemble the cover, and format the drive when prompted on power-up.
