Xbox Series X|S storage expansion: expansion card vs USB drive
Optimized for Xbox Series X|S games only run from two places: the internal SSD and a Storage Expansion Card. A USB drive can store those games, but they have to be moved back before they can be played. Xbox One, Xbox 360 and original Xbox games run directly from USB.
| Storage Expansion Card | USB external storage | |
|---|---|---|
| Play Optimized for Series X|S games | Yes[1] | No — move them to the internal SSD or an expansion card first[2] |
| Play Xbox One / 360 / original Xbox games | — | Yes, directly[2] |
| Capacities | 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB[1] | — |
| Minimum capacity | — | 128 GB[3,4] |
| Performance | Identical to the internal SSD[1] | — |
| Interface | — | USB 3.0 or later (hubs must also be USB 3.0+)[3,4] |
Highlighted rows differ between models.
Storage Expansion Card
| Storage | |
|---|---|
| Capacities | 512 GB, 1 TB, 2 TB[1] |
| Performance | Identical to the internal SSD[1] |
| Usage | |
| Play Optimized for Series X|S games | Yes[1] |
| Move between Series X|S consoles | Yes; sign-in or game disc required to play[1] |
| Setup | |
| Before first use | Install the console's first system update before connecting the card[1] |
The card plugs into the expansion slot on the back of the console. On first connection the console asks whether it will mainly be used with this console or with several. Choosing several consoles turns off automatic game and app updates on the card, though games can still be updated manually. The card works only on Xbox Series X|S, not on Xbox One or Windows PCs.
| Product | Capacities | Xbox verdict | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|SSTJR1000400, STJR2000400, STJR4000400 | 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB[5] | Meets requirements[1,5] | Amazon · eBay |
| WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card for XboxWDBMPH5120ANC, WDBMPH0010BNC | 512 GB, 1 TB[6] | Meets requirements[1,6] | Amazon · eBay |
Microsoft’s support page lists 512 GB, 1 TB and 2 TB cards; Seagate’s current card range goes up to 4 TB.
USB external drives
| Requirements | |
|---|---|
| Interface | USB 3.0 or later (hubs must also be USB 3.0+)[3,4] |
| Minimum capacity | 128 GB[3,4] |
| Drives at once | Up to 3[3] |
| Drives over 16 TB | Split into 16 TB partitions; max. 8 additional partitions in total (an expansion card counts as one)[3] |
| Usage | |
| Play Optimized for Series X|S games | No — move them to the internal SSD or an expansion card first[2] |
| Play Xbox One / 360 / original Xbox games | Yes, directly[2] |
| Setup | |
| Formatting | The console reformats the drive (erases it)[4] |
The console formats the drive when it’s set up for games and apps, which erases it. Drives below the requirements can still be used for music, video and pictures through the Media Player app.
A drive used on an Xbox One can be moved straight to a Series X|S, and its games are available right away. Optimized titles on it have to be transferred to the internal SSD or an expansion card before playing.
| Product | Drive type | USB | Capacities | Xbox verdict | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Samsung Portable SSD T7 Shield | SSD[7] | USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps)[7] | 1 TB, 2 TB, 4 TB[7] | Meets requirements[3,4,7] | Amazon · eBay |
| WD_BLACK P10 Game Drive for XboxWDBA5G0020BBK, WDBA5G0040BBK, WDBA5G0050BBK, WDBZRG0060BBK | Hard drive[8] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps)[8] | 2 TB, 4 TB, 5 TB, 6 TB[8] | Meets requirements[3,4,8] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for Xbox SSDSTLD1000400 | SSD[9] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0, 5 Gbps)[9] | 1 TB[9] | Meets requirements[3,4,9] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for Xbox (HDD)STEA4000402, STEA4000407, STEA5000404, STEA5000406 | Hard drive[10] | USB 3.0 (5 Gbps)[10] | 4 TB, 5 TB[10] | Meets requirements[3,4,10] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive for PS4 & PS5 (HDD)STGD2000100, STLL4000100 | Hard drive[11] | USB 3.2 Gen 1 (USB 3.0, 5 Gbps)[11] | 2 TB, 4 TB[11] | Meets requirements[3,4,11] | Amazon · eBay |
| Seagate Game Drive External SSD (PlayStation)STMH1000100 | SSD[12] | USB 3.2 Type-C; USB 3.0 port required for full speed (5 Gbps)[12] | 1 TB, 2 TB[12] | Meets requirements[3,4,12] | Amazon · eBay |
Any drive that meets Microsoft’s requirements works, including drives sold for PlayStation.
Problems: External drive not detected · Expansion card not recognised
Sources
Last checked
- Use the Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S
- Xbox Series X|S FAQ
- Manage storage on your Xbox console
- Troubleshoot external storage detection on Xbox
- Seagate Storage Expansion Card for Xbox Series X|S data sheet (1–4 TB)
- WD_BLACK C50 Expansion Card for Xbox data sheet
- 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