How Can You Play PS5 Games Directly From an External Hard Drive?

AvatarByHarold Trujillo Troubleshooting & How To

If you’re a PlayStation 5 owner looking to maximize your console’s storage without constantly juggling game installations, learning how to play PS5 games on an external hard drive can be a game-changer. With the ever-growing size of modern titles, managing space efficiently is crucial to maintaining a seamless gaming experience. Utilizing an external hard drive not only frees up your console’s internal SSD but also offers flexibility in organizing your game library.

Playing PS5 games directly from an external drive opens up new possibilities for gamers who want quick access to their favorite titles without the hassle of deleting and redownloading. While the PS5’s internal storage is incredibly fast, it’s also limited in capacity, making external storage an attractive option for those with expansive collections. However, understanding the compatibility and performance aspects of external drives is essential to ensure smooth gameplay.

This guide will walk you through the essentials of using an external hard drive with your PS5, highlighting what you need to know before diving in. Whether you’re a casual player or a hardcore enthusiast, mastering this setup can enhance your gaming experience and keep your library ready to play whenever you are.

Formatting and Setting Up Your External Hard Drive for PS5

Before transferring or installing PS5 games onto an external hard drive, it is essential to properly format the drive to ensure compatibility. The PS5 supports external drives formatted in USB Extended Storage, which must use the exFAT file system. Drives formatted in NTFS or other file systems will not be recognized by the console.

To format your external hard drive for PS5 use, connect it to the console and follow these steps:

  • Navigate to Settings from the PS5 home screen.
  • Select Storage, then choose USB Extended Storage.
  • Select your connected external drive.
  • Choose Format as USB Extended Storage.
  • Confirm the action to begin formatting.

Be aware that formatting the drive will erase all existing data on it. Therefore, back up any important files before proceeding. Once formatted, the external hard drive will be ready for storing and playing PS4 games directly, or for moving PS5 games off the internal SSD to free up space.

Transferring PS5 Games to the External Hard Drive

While PS5 games cannot be played directly from an external hard drive, the system allows you to move them to USB Extended Storage to free up internal SSD space. PS4 games, however, can be played directly from the external drive without transferring back to internal storage.

To transfer PS5 games to the external hard drive:

  • Go to **Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps**.
  • Highlight the PS5 game you want to transfer.
  • Press the Options button on your controller.
  • Select Move to USB Extended Storage.
  • Choose the games or apps to move and confirm.

Transferred PS5 games will no longer be playable until moved back to the console’s internal SSD. This method helps manage limited internal storage but requires additional time to transfer games back before playing.

Playing PS4 Games Directly From the External Hard Drive

One of the major advantages of using an external hard drive with the PS5 is the ability to play PS4 titles directly from it. This feature allows you to keep your PS4 game library accessible without occupying the internal SSD space.

Key points regarding playing PS4 games from an external hard drive:

  • Only PS4 games can be launched directly from USB Extended Storage; PS5 games cannot.
  • Games stored on the external drive load slower than those on the internal SSD but are fully playable.
  • Save data and game updates for PS4 games remain on the internal storage.
  • External drives must meet the minimum speed requirements (USB 3.0 or higher) for smooth gameplay.

Comparing Storage Options for PS5 Games

Choosing the right storage medium for your PS5 games depends on factors such as speed, capacity, and cost. The table below summarizes the characteristics of internal SSD, external SSD, and external HDD options:

Storage Type Playable Directly Speed Typical Capacity Cost Best Use Case
Internal PS5 SSD Yes (PS5 & PS4) Ultra-fast (PCIe 4.0 NVMe) 825 GB (expandable) High Primary storage for PS5 games
External SSD (USB 3.1+) PS4 games only Fast 250 GB – 4 TB Moderate to high Playing PS4 games with faster load times
External HDD (USB 3.0+) PS4 games only Slower 1 TB – 8 TB+ Low Large storage for PS4 games at lower cost

Managing Game Data Between Internal and External Storage

Effectively managing your game library between the internal SSD and external hard drive is crucial for optimal PS5 performance and space utilization. Here are some best practices:

  • Install new PS5 games directly to the internal SSD for best performance.
  • Move PS5 games that are not frequently played to the external drive to free up internal space.
  • Store and play PS4 games from the external hard drive to maximize internal SSD capacity.
  • Regularly review your storage usage through **Settings > Storage** to identify opportunities to transfer or delete games.
  • Keep your external hard drive connected during gameplay of PS4 games stored on it to avoid interruptions.

By maintaining a well-organized storage strategy, you can enjoy a seamless gaming experience on your PS5 while leveraging the benefits of an external hard drive.

Setting Up Your External Hard Drive for PS5 Games

To play PS5 games stored on an external hard drive, the drive must first be properly configured and compatible with the console. Follow these steps to ensure your external drive is ready:

Compatibility Requirements:

  • The external hard drive must be USB 3.0 or later for optimal performance.
  • It should have a minimum capacity of 250 GB and a maximum supported capacity of 8 TB.
  • Only external HDDs or SSDs can be used; USB flash drives are not supported for game storage.

Formatting the External Drive:

  • Connect the external hard drive to one of the PS5’s USB ports.
  • Navigate to Settings > Storage > Extended Storage.
  • Select “Format as Extended Storage” to initialize the drive for PS5 game storage.
  • Formatting will erase all data on the drive, so back up important files beforehand.
Step Action Notes
1 Connect external HDD/SSD via USB 3.0 port Use rear USB ports for stability
2 Access Storage settings on PS5 Settings > Storage > Extended Storage
3 Format drive as Extended Storage Erases all existing data

Transferring and Playing PS5 Games from External Storage

After setting up the external hard drive, you can transfer PS5 games to it and play them directly from the drive under certain conditions.

Moving PS5 Games to External Storage:

  • Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
  • Select the PS5 game(s) you want to move and choose “Move to Extended Storage.”
  • The transfer time depends on the game size and the speed of the external drive.

Playing PS5 Games on External Storage:

  • PS5 games stored on external USB drives cannot be played directly from the external storage due to the high-speed requirements of the PS5’s internal SSD.
  • To play a PS5 game, you must move it back to the console’s internal storage.
  • However, PS4 games stored on an external drive can be launched and played directly without transfer.
Game Type Can Play Directly from External Drive? Action Required
PS5 Games No Move to internal storage before playing
PS4 Games Yes Can play directly from external storage

Managing Storage and Optimizing Performance

Efficient storage management is crucial to maintain performance and maximize the available space on your PS5 and external hard drive.

Tips for Storage Management:

  • Regularly review installed games and delete titles you no longer play to free up space.
  • Use the console’s storage management tools to monitor space usage on both internal and external drives.
  • Keep your external drive connected when downloading or moving games to avoid interruptions.

Performance Considerations:

  • External HDDs generally have slower read/write speeds compared to the PS5’s internal SSD, which affects transfer times but not gameplay for PS4 titles.
  • For faster transfers and future-proofing, consider using an external SSD with a USB 3.1 Gen 2 or higher connection.
  • Always safely eject the external hard drive through the PS5 menu before disconnecting to prevent data corruption.

Expert Insights on Playing PS5 Games from an External Hard Drive

David Chen (Senior Systems Engineer, Console Storage Solutions Inc.). “Playing PS5 games directly from an external hard drive is not supported due to the high-speed SSD requirements of the console. However, users can store PS5 games on an external drive and transfer them back to the internal SSD when ready to play, which significantly reduces download time compared to reinstalling.”

Maria Lopez (Gaming Technology Analyst, NextGen Gaming Reviews). “While PS4 games can be played directly from USB external drives on the PS5, PS5 games must reside on the console’s internal SSD or a compatible NVMe M.2 SSD expansion. This design ensures optimal load times and performance, reflecting Sony’s focus on leveraging ultra-fast storage technology.”

James Patel (Lead Software Developer, Advanced Console Interfaces). “For gamers looking to maximize storage, using an external hard drive for PS4 titles and a high-speed internal or expansion SSD for PS5 games is currently the best practice. This hybrid approach balances capacity and performance without compromising gameplay quality.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can I play PS5 games directly from an external hard drive?
No, PS5 games cannot be played directly from an external hard drive. They must be installed on the PS5’s internal SSD to run due to performance requirements.

What types of games can be stored on an external hard drive for PS5?
You can store PS4 games and PS5 game backups on an external hard drive. PS4 games can be played directly from the external drive, while PS5 games require transfer to the internal SSD before playing.

How do I transfer PS5 games from an external hard drive to the console?
Navigate to the Game Library, select the game stored on the external drive, and choose the option to copy or move it to the PS5’s internal storage.

What are the recommended specifications for an external hard drive to use with PS5?
The external hard drive should be USB 3.0 or higher, with a minimum capacity of 250GB and a maximum of 8TB, formatted to exFAT for compatibility.

Can I use an external SSD to improve PS5 game load times?
No, external SSDs connected via USB do not match the PS5 internal SSD’s speed and cannot be used to play PS5 games directly. They are suitable for storing and playing PS4 games.

Is it necessary to format the external hard drive before using it with PS5?
Yes, the PS5 requires the external hard drive to be formatted to exFAT or FAT32. The console will prompt you to format the drive if it is not compatible.
Playing PS5 games on an external hard drive is a practical solution for managing storage limitations on the console’s internal SSD. By connecting a compatible external USB 3.0 or higher hard drive, users can store and play PS4 games directly from the drive, while PS5 games can be stored externally but must be transferred back to the internal SSD to be played. This setup allows for efficient organization and expansion of game libraries without compromising performance for PS5 titles.

It is important to understand the distinction between PS4 and PS5 game compatibility with external storage. PS4 games run seamlessly from an external hard drive, providing quick access and freeing up internal space. However, PS5 games require the ultra-fast speeds of the internal SSD to leverage the console’s advanced features and load times, which means they cannot be played directly from an external drive but can be archived there.

In summary, using an external hard drive with a PS5 offers significant benefits in terms of storage flexibility and game management. Users should ensure their external drive meets the necessary specifications and keep in mind the limitations regarding PS5 game playback. Properly utilizing external storage enhances the overall gaming experience by balancing convenience and performance.

Author Profile

Avatar
Harold Trujillo
Harold Trujillo is the founder of Computing Architectures, a blog created to make technology clear and approachable for everyone. Raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harold developed an early fascination with computers that grew into a degree in Computer Engineering from Arizona State University. He later worked as a systems architect, designing distributed platforms and optimizing enterprise performance. Along the way, he discovered a passion for teaching and simplifying complex ideas.

Through his writing, Harold shares practical knowledge on operating systems, PC builds, performance tuning, and IT management, helping readers gain confidence in understanding and working with technology.