The PS5 needs an external drive for games larger than your built-in storage

Your PS5 comes with 825 gigabytes of storage, but the system itself takes up about 100 gigabytes, leaving roughly 725 gigabytes for games. Most new games are 50 to 150 gigabytes each, so you can fit only a handful before you run out of space. When storage fills up, you delete games to make room for new ones — or you add an external drive.

The PS5 accepts one M.2 solid-state drive (SSD) installed inside the console. This is different from a USB external drive. The internal drive slot is the only way to expand usable game storage on PS5. You cannot use a regular external hard drive or USB stick to store PS5 games, though you can use external storage to back up games and move them between consoles.

Adding an M.2 SSD takes about 10 minutes and requires no tools beyond a Phillips screwdriver. The drive itself costs between $80 and $200 depending on capacity and brand. Installation is straightforward enough that most people do it themselves, though you can pay a retailer or repair shop to install it if you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • The PS5 has one internal M.2 SSD slot that holds one additional drive; you cannot add more than one expansion drive.
  • The drive must meet Sony's specifications: at least 250 gigabytes, no larger than 2.23 millimeters thick, and read speed of 5,500 megabytes per second or faster.
  • Popular compatible drives include the Samsung 990 Pro, WD Black SN850X, and Crucial P5 Plus, all of which meet PS5 requirements.
  • Installation involves removing the side panel, unscrewing a single screw, sliding the drive into the slot at a 30-degree angle, and screwing it back down.
  • After installation, the PS5 formats the drive automatically, which takes a few minutes and erases any data already on it.

Which M.2 drives work with PS5

Sony publishes a list of tested and compatible drives on its support website. The drive must be an NVMe M.2 SSD — not a SATA drive, not a 2.5-inch drive, and not a USB external drive. It must have at least 250 gigabytes of capacity and no more than 2.23 millimeters of thickness (including any heatsink attached to it). The read speed must be 5,500 megabytes per second or faster.

Drives that meet these specs include the Samsung 990 Pro (250GB to 4TB), WD Black SN850X (500GB to 4TB), Crucial P5 Plus (500GB to 2TB), and Sabrent Rocket 4 Plus (500GB to 8TB). Most of these drives come with a heatsink already attached, which is necessary because the PS5 slot has limited space. If you buy a drive without a heatsink, you will need to add one separately — the drive alone is too thick for the slot.

Prices vary by capacity and retailer. A 500GB drive typically costs $50 to $80, while a 1TB drive runs $80 to $150. Larger capacities (2TB and above) cost $150 to $250. Prices fluctuate, so checking multiple retailers before buying is worth the time.

How to install the drive yourself

Turn off your PS5 completely and unplug the power cable. Wait at least 30 seconds before proceeding. Remove the side panel on the right side of the console (the side without the PS5 logo) by gently pulling it straight toward you. The panel is held by friction, not screws, so it slides off without tools.

Locate the M.2 slot cover, which is a small rectangular panel with a single screw in the center. Unscrew this screw with a Phillips screwdriver and set the cover aside. You will see the M.2 slot underneath — it is a narrow horizontal opening with a screw hole at the far end.

Remove your M.2 drive from its packaging. Hold it by the edges, not the gold connector pins. Insert the drive into the slot at a 30-degree angle (tilted upward), then press down gently until it lies flat. The drive should slide in smoothly; do not force it. Once flat, align the screw hole at the end of the drive with the screw hole in the slot, and tighten the screw. Do not overtighten — snug is enough.

Replace the M.2 slot cover and screw it back down. Reattach the side panel by sliding it back onto the console until it clicks. Plug in the power cable and turn on the PS5. The console will detect the new drive and ask you to format it. This process takes a few minutes and erases anything on the drive. After formatting completes, the new storage appears in your system settings under Storage.

Storage capacity and how many games fit

The usable capacity of your new drive is slightly less than its advertised size. A 1TB drive typically gives you about 930 gigabytes of usable space after formatting. A 2TB drive yields roughly 1.86 terabytes. This is normal and happens with all storage devices.

Game sizes vary widely. Smaller titles like Astro's Playroom take 30 to 40 gigabytes. Mid-sized games like Spider-Man 2 or Final Fantasy XVI run 70 to 90 gigabytes. Large games like Call of Duty or Microsoft Flight Simulator can exceed 150 gigabytes. A 1TB drive might hold 8 to 12 games depending on which ones you install. A 2TB drive typically holds 15 to 25 games.

You can move games between your internal drive and the M.2 expansion drive using the PS5 storage management menu. Games play equally fast from either location, so you can keep your most-played titles on the internal drive and move others to the expansion drive to save space.

Using external USB storage for backups

You cannot play PS5 games from a USB external hard drive, but you can use one to back up games and transfer them between consoles. This is useful if you want to move your library to a friend's PS5 or keep a backup copy of games you own.

To back up games, connect a USB 3.1 external hard drive to your PS5 (any capacity works). Go to Settings, then Storage, then Backup and Restore. Select the games you want to back up and choose your external drive as the destination. The backup process copies the games to the external drive without removing them from your PS5.

To restore games from a backup, connect the external drive to your PS5, go to the same menu, and select Restore. The PS5 copies the games back to your internal drive or M.2 expansion drive. This is slower than playing directly from the drive, but it is the only way to move games between consoles without re-downloading them.

Troubleshooting installation problems

If the PS5 does not recognize the drive after installation, power off the console completely, wait 30 seconds, and power it back on. Sometimes the drive needs a full restart to register. If it still does not appear, power off again and check that the drive is fully seated in the slot — it should lie completely flat with no gap between the drive and the slot.

If the drive is recognized but the PS5 will not format it, the drive may not meet Sony's specifications. Check that the read speed is 5,500 megabytes per second or faster and that the drive thickness (including heatsink) does not exceed 2.23 millimeters. If the drive is too thick, you may need to remove the heatsink and replace it with a thinner one, or purchase a different drive.

If you see an error message during formatting, try removing the drive and reinserting it. Make sure the screw at the end is tight but not over-tightened. If errors persist, the drive itself may be defective — contact the manufacturer for a replacement under warranty.

When to add a second drive versus deleting games

You can only install one M.2 expansion drive in a PS5. Once that slot is full, your only options are to delete games you no longer play or use an external USB drive to back up and restore games as needed. There is no way to add a second internal drive or use multiple M.2 slots.

If you play 15 or fewer games regularly, your internal drive plus one 1TB M.2 expansion drive is usually enough. If you like to keep 20 or more games installed at once, a 2TB drive is more practical. If you play dozens of games and want them all available without managing storage, a 2TB drive plus regular use of USB backups is the best approach.

Deleting and re-downloading games is free but takes time — a 100-gigabyte game can take 30 minutes to an hour to read depending on your internet speed. Adding a drive costs money upfront but saves time and frustration over the life of your console.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any M.2 SSD, or does it have to be a specific brand?

Any M.2 NVMe SSD that meets Sony's specifications works. You do not need a brand-name drive — budget options like Kingston or Mushkin work fine as long as they have 5,500 megabytes per second read speed or faster and fit the thickness requirement. Sony publishes a compatibility list on its website if you want to verify before buying.

What happens if I install a drive that is too thick?

A drive thicker than 2.23 millimeters will not fit in the slot, or it will fit but prevent the side panel from closing properly. If you accidentally buy a drive with a thick heatsink, you can remove the heatsink and replace it with a thinner one, or purchase thermal pads to attach directly to the drive instead of using a heatsink.

Do I lose my games if I add a new M.2 drive?

No. Adding a drive does not affect your existing games on the internal storage. The new drive is formatted automatically, but this only erases data on the new drive itself, not anything already on your PS5.

Can I move games between the internal drive and the M.2 drive?

Yes. The PS5 storage management menu lets you move individual games between your internal drive and the M.2 expansion drive. Games play at the same speed from either location, so you can organize them however you prefer.

What is the difference between an M.2 drive and a USB external hard drive?

An M.2 drive installs inside the PS5 and becomes part of your usable game storage. A USB external drive connects via a cable and can only back up games or store other files — you cannot play PS5 games directly from it. The M.2 drive is faster and more convenient for everyday use.