PS5 USB extended storage: requirements and limits
A USB drive formatted as extended storage can hold PS5 and PS4 games, but only PS4 games run from it directly. PS5 games have to be copied back to the console storage or an M.2 SSD first.
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Interface | SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or later[1] |
| Supported capacity | 250 GB – 8 TB[1] |
| Via USB hub | Not supported[1] |
| Drives in use at once | 1[1] |
| USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 drives | Work, but at 10 Gbps (single lane)[1] |
| Usage | |
| Play PS5 games from it | No — copy back to internal or M.2 storage first[1] |
| Play PS4 games from it | Yes[1] |
Drives checked against these requirements
| Product | Drive type | USB | Capacities | Console licensed | PS5 verdict | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield | SSD[2] | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)[2] | 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB[2] | — | Meets requirements[1,2] | Amazon · eBay |
| WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive for XboxWDBA5G0020BBK, WDBA5G0040BBK, WDBA5G0050BBK, WDBZRG0060BBK | Hard drive[3] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)[3] | 2 TB, 4 TB, 5 TB, 6 TB[3] | — | Meets requirements[1,3] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for Xbox SSDSTLD1000400 | SSD[4] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0, 5 Gbps)[4] | 1 TB[4] | — | Meets requirements[1,4] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for Xbox (HDD)STEA4000402, STEA4000407, STEA5000404, STEA5000406 | Hard drive[5] | USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)[5] | 4 TB, 5 TB[5] | — | Meets requirements[1,5] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for PS4 & PS5 (HDD)STGD2000100, STLL4000100 | Hard drive[6] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0, 5 Gbps)[6] | 2 TB, 4 TB[6] | PlayStation[6] | Meets requirements[1,6] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive External SSD (PlayStation)STMH1000100 | SSD[7] | USB 3.2 Type-C; USB 3.0 port required for full speed (5 Gbps)[7] | 1 TB, 2 TB[7] | PlayStation[7] | Meets requirements[1,7] | Amazon · eBay |
Any drive that meets Sony’s requirements works as extended storage, including drives sold for Xbox. Officially licensed drives follow the same rules: Seagate’s data sheet for its PlayStation Game Drive also describes archiving PS5 games on the drive until they’re moved back to the console’s internal SSD.
USB 3.2 naming
The PS5 supports these SuperSpeed USB connections:
| Connection | Also known as | Speed on PS5 |
|---|---|---|
| SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps | USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 3.2 Gen 1 | 5 Gbps |
| SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps | USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2 | 10 Gbps |
| USB 3.2 Gen 1×2 | — | 5 Gbps (single lane) |
| SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps | USB 3.2 Gen 2×2 | 10 Gbps (single lane) |
Setting up a drive
- Connect the drive to a SuperSpeed (10Gbps) USB-A or USB-C port on the console.
- Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.
Formatting erases the drive. A drive already used as extended storage on a PS4 or another PS5 works without reformatting.
To remove the drive while the console is on, use Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Safely Remove from PS5. To use it as a normal drive again, choose Format as exFAT from the same menu.
Extended storage or M.2?
If you want to play PS5 games from the added storage, it has to be an M.2 SSD. USB extended storage suits PS4 games and archiving PS5 games you aren’t currently playing.
Problems with a drive: USB extended storage troubleshooting.
Sources
Last checked
- USB extended storage on PS5 consoles
- Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield data sheet (rev. 2.0)
- WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive for Xbox data sheet
- Seagate Game Drive for Xbox SSD data sheet
- Seagate Game Drive for Xbox (HDD) data sheet
- Seagate Game Drive for PS4 & PS5 (HDD) data sheet
- Seagate Game Drive External SSD (PlayStation) data sheet