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How To Install and Connect an SSD Storage Drive on a PS5

The PlayStation 5 comes with an extremely fast internal solid-state drive (SSD) that allows for lightning-fast load times. However, with game install sizes ballooning to over 100GB, the roughly 667GB of usable space can quickly get filled up. Thankfully, Sony has made it possible to expand the PS5’s storage with an additional internal M.2 SSD.

Things to Know Before Installing an SSD

There are a few things to keep in mind before installing an SSD in your PS5:

  • The PS5 requires a PCIe Gen4 M.2 NVMe SSD. This means SATA drives or PCIe 3.0 drives will not work. The SSD must support sequential read speeds of 5,500MB/s or faster.
  • A heatsink is strongly recommended. The PS5 does not provide any cooling for the M.2 slot, so a heatsink helps dissipate heat from the drive. Many SSDs come with integrated heatsinks.
  • Size limits apply. Supported sizes range from 250GB to 4TB. The dimensions must be 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110 (the first two digits refer to the width in mm).
  • Not all SSDs are guaranteed to work, even if they meet the requirements above. Stick to drives on Sony’s tested/approved list for guaranteed compatibility.

How to Install an M.2 SSD in a PS5

Installing an M.2 drive in your PS5 is a straightforward process that takes about 10-15 minutes. You’ll need a compatible SSD, small Phillips screwdriver, and possibly a heatsink. Follow these steps:

  1. Turn off and unplug your PS5. Turn the power off completely and unplug all cables. Place the PS5 horizontally on a clean, flat surface.
  2. Remove the base cover. There is one screw securing the cover in place. Set the cover and screw aside carefully.
  3. Locate the M.2 slot. It’s on the main board behind a removable metal cover next to the Blu-ray drive.
  4. Remove the expansion slot cover. Unscrew the one screw and set aside the metal plate covering the M.2 slot.
  5. Insert your compatible SSD. Line up the notch on the connector and gently insert at an angle. Secure the drive in place with the included screw.
  6. Replace the expansion slot cover. Screw the small metal cover back into place over the SSD.
  7. Replace the PS5 base cover. Slide the plastic cover back on from the front and replace the screw.
  8. Power on your PS5. Reconnect cables, power on your console, and format your new SSD when prompted.

How to Set Up an External SSD

You can also expand your PS5’s storage using an external USB SSD, which is easier to set up but can only store PS4 games – not PS5 titles. Here’s how:

  1. Connect your external SSD. Plug your external SSD into one of the USB-A ports on the back of the PS5 using the included cable.
  2. Format the drive. Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage. Select your drive and choose “Format as USB Extended Storage.”
  3. Set as default install location. You can set your external drive as the default install location for any future PS4 game downloads.

That’s all there is to it! The external SSD will now show up as extra storage space when managing your game library.

Tips for Adding an SSD

  • Set your new SSD as the default installation location for new games and media in the storage settings.
  • You can transfer PS5 and PS4 games between the internal drive, external USB drive, and M.2 SSD from the game library.
  • Removing an M.2 SSD incorrectly may damage components inside the PS5. Always follow Sony’s instructions carefully.
  • Using an SSD with a higher capacity can be helpful for minimizing the need to manage storage space as often.
  • A good heatsink with thermal padding makes contact with the SSD chips to help dissipate heat. This is essential since the M.2 slot has no active cooling.
  • There are many great SSD options from companies like Western Digital, Samsung, Seagate and more that meet Sony’s requirements.

With the PS5’s ultra-fast SSD, you’ll see lightning quick load times across PS4 and PS5 games regardless of which storage drive they are installed on. Adding more capacity via an internal M.2 drive or external SSD ensures you can keep your entire game library handy.

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