PS5 M.2 SSD requirements and installation
Every PS5 model has one M.2 expansion slot. A drive in that slot works like internal storage: PS5 games can be downloaded to it, updated on it and played from it.
| Interface | PCIe Gen4 ×4 M.2 NVMe SSD (Key M)[1] |
|---|---|
| Supported capacity | 250 GB – 8 TB[1] |
| Form factors | 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110[1] |
| Max. width incl. cooling | 25 mm[1] |
| Max. thickness incl. cooling | 11.25 mm (8.0 mm above board, 2.45 mm below)[1] |
| Sequential read | 5,500 MB/s or faster recommended[1] |
| Cooling | Heatsink or heat transfer sheet required (single- or double-sided)[1] |
| M.2 SATA drives | Not supported[1] |
| Host Memory Buffer (HMB) | Not supported by PS5[1]HMB drives work but may be slower than expected. |
Cooling and size
A heatsink or heat transfer sheet is required. It can be single-sided or double-sided, or built into the drive. Don’t add a second heatsink to a drive that already has one. With cooling fitted, the drive must stay within 25 mm width and 11.25 mm thickness, of which at most 8.0 mm may sit above the board and 2.45 mm below it. If the slot cover won’t close, the cooling structure is too large.
Before installing
- Update the console to the latest system software.
- Turn the console off completely, unplug all cables and let it cool.
- Discharge static by touching a grounded metal object.
- Have a #1 Phillips screwdriver ready.
Where the slot is
| Model | Access |
|---|---|
| CFI-1000/1100/1200 (original) | Remove the base, then slide off the side cover (PlayStation logo facing down, power button towards you). The slot is under a long rectangular cover with one screw. |
| CFI-2000 (Slim) and CFI-7000 (Pro) | Remove the triangle cover on the underside. The slot is under a cover held by one screw. |
Installing
- Remove the slot cover screw and the cover.
- Remove the screw and spacer, and move the spacer to the position matching the drive length.
- Hold the drive by its edge, align it with the connector notch and insert it diagonally, all the way in.
- Tilt it down until the board lies flush on the spacer, then fasten the screw. The cooling structure must not block the screw.
- Refit the slot cover and the outer cover, reconnect the console and power it on.
- Follow the on-screen formatting guide. Formatting erases the whole drive; partial formatting isn’t possible.
A drive moved from another PS5 doesn’t need formatting, provided you sign in with the same account on both consoles.
Using the drive
- Set new downloads to the M.2 drive under Settings > Storage > Installation Location.
- Move installed games from the Game Library: press Options on a game and select Move Games and Apps.
- All data for one game must be in one location; a game can’t be split between internal storage and the M.2 drive.
- Remove the M.2 drive before sending the console for repair.
Specific drives checked against these requirements: PS5 compatible SSDs. If the drive isn’t recognised: M.2 SSD troubleshooting. For external drives see USB extended storage.
| Device | With | Status | Conditions / notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.2 SSD expansion (PS5) | PlayStation 5 (CFI-1000/1100/1200) | Supported[1] | Update system software first. Drive must meet the size, interface and cooling requirements. |
| M.2 SSD expansion (PS5) | PlayStation 5 (CFI-2000 model group) | Supported[1] | Update system software first. Drive must meet the size, interface and cooling requirements. |
| M.2 SSD expansion (PS5) | PlayStation 5 Pro (CFI-7000 model group) | Supported[1] | Update system software first. Drive must meet the size, interface and cooling requirements. |
Sources
Last checked