How to Upgrade Your PS5 Storage: A Simple SSD Guide
To expand PS5 storage you need a PCIe Gen4 NVMe M.2 SSD with a heatsink that meets Sony's speed requirement (at least 5,500 MB/s read). Power off the console, remove the SSD bay cover, install the drive in the M.2 slot, replace the cover, and the PS5 formats it automatically. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and needs only a Phillips screwdriver.
What to buy
Look for a Gen4 NVMe drive rated 5,500 MB/s or faster, in the 1-2 TB range for the best value. The easiest option is a drive that ships with a heatsink already fitted and is labelled PS5-compatible, so there's no guesswork about cooling.
How to install it
Power down and unplug the PS5, slide off the side panel, unscrew the long storage bay cover, seat the SSD into the M.2 slot at an angle and secure it with the screw, then replace everything. On next boot the PS5 prompts you to format the drive — done.
Why it's worth it
Modern games are huge, and the internal drive fills fast. A second SSD lets you keep far more installed, and PS5 games run directly from it. It's one of the cheapest, highest-impact upgrades a PS5 owner can make.
Key takeaways
- Need a Gen4 NVMe SSD, 5,500 MB/s+, with heatsink
- 1-2 TB is the value sweet spot
- Install takes ~15 minutes and one screwdriver
- PS5 formats the drive automatically on boot
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