You often play on your PS5 and, having bought it a few years ago, you have a fairly large library and likely installed dozens of games. Perhaps you are tired of managing downloads, freeing up space, or moving titles from one external drive to another; therefore, you may be wondering if there is a way to expand the console’s storage memory.
You’ve probably heard that you can install SSDs similar to those included with Sony’s console; so you’ve been looking around to understand how to do it. If so, you couldn’t have come to a better place because today I want to talk to you about how to install SSD in PS5. As you will see, regardless of which PS5 model you have, after reading this guide, you will know how to install an additional storage unit for your console.
In the next chapters, I will provide you with all the necessary information both about PS5 and the compatible SSD models, guiding you step by step through the complete installation of one of these, both for standard PS5, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro. It will be very simple: all you need to do is gather the necessary materials, take the time to carefully read all the steps, and then put them into practice in a safe condition for both you and the console. What do you say? If you’re ready to install an additional SSD on your PlayStation 5, I just wish you happy reading and fun!
Table of Contents
- Preliminary Information
- How to Install SSD in PS5
- How to Install SSD in Standard PS5
- How to Install SSD in PS5 Slim
- How to Install SSD in PS5 Pro
Preliminary Information
Before discussing how to install an SSD in PS5, I would like to give you some more information about the console and storage for each of its variants.
PS5 has been designed and sold in three different variants: PS5, PS5 Slim, and PS5 Pro.
Both the first and second models have a Digital version, namely PS5 Digital and PS5 Slim Digital, which means without a disc drive, while PS5 Pro was released only in a single version without a drive (with the option to purchase it as a separate module to install later). All these variants share the same technologies and features that allow for storage of games and data, but there are differences in the capacity of their SSDs, although all are of the M.2 type.
PS5 and PS5 Digital have an SSD of 825 GB (Gigabytes), of which only 667.2 GB are available, since the rest of the space is reserved for system files and other data necessary to ensure the proper functioning of the console and its software. On the other hand, PS5 Slim and PS5 Slim Digital have a 1 TB (Terabyte) SSD under the hood, of which about 842.2 GB remain available, because in their case, the rest of the gigabytes are also reserved for system and hardware/software operation data.
PS5 Pro stands out with a larger storage space, as it comes with a Custom SSD of 2 TB (however, a good amount of gigabytes is also reserved for system data and can be dedicated to optimizations for games in the Pro version).
The storage space for all models, given today’s game sizes, might never be enough; therefore, Sony has catered to all owners of every console variant by ensuring the possibility of expanding the storage memory on every PS5 simply by inserting a compatible third-party SSD.
For them to be compatible and work with all models of PlayStation 5, the SSDs must have these technical specs: they must be NVMe M.2 SSDs supporting PCI-Express Gen 4×4 with up to 8 TB capacity, with a form factor of 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, 22110 and up to 25 mm in width, from 30 to 110 mm in length, and up to 11.25 mm in depth. The read speed must be from 5,500 MB/s upwards, and must be M Key type regarding the type of connector.
It is essential to know the type of SSD and their compatibility since PS5 games require an NVMe M.2 SSD to function, both for loading times and other development and gameplay details. However, compatible and/or backward compatible PS4 games can be stored and also played directly on other devices, such as USB storage (including USB hard drives and USB flash drives) or external SSDs.
Finally, apart from noting the differences in capacity and the importance of SSD compatibility, it is crucial to understand that the various PS5 models mentioned have a slightly different shape from each other, so some details during disassembly and assembly of the consoles to install the SSDs may differ.
Specifically, although the shape is quite similar for all three variants, the standard PS5 models (both base and digital) have two shells (also known as “wings”) that cover the internal hardware, while both PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro, which are smaller than the base model (particularly the Slim), have four shells marked by black stripes on each side that cannot be removed (to be precise, one black stripe for Slim and three black stripes for Pro).
Therefore, to insert the additional SSD in standard PS5, you need to remove one of the two side shells/wings, meanwhile for Slim and Pro, it is not necessary to disassemble all shells on the side where the space for the additional SSD is located, but it is sufficient to remove one of the two top shells.
For more details on which of the shells to remove for each model, carefully follow the subsequent chapters. Additionally, ensure you obtain a small star (or Phillips) screwdriver and, preferably, a free and clean workspace or a safe space where you can lay and keep the console horizontally.
How to Install SSD in PS5
Now that you have read everything necessary to prepare to increase your Sony console’s space, it’s time to understand how to install SSD in PS5 step by step.
In the upcoming chapters, you will find a detailed description of installing additional SSDs in both standard PS5 and PS5 Slim and PS5 Pro.
How to Install SSD in Standard PS5
Let’s start with the procedure for how to install SSD in standard PS5, both in the base and Digital version.
First of all, make sure you have purchased an M.2 SSD unit with the characteristics specified in the previous chapter: if you have any doubts or haven’t purchased it yet, you can also refer to my buying guide for the best SSDs for PS5.
In case you are using an SSD from another console or PC and don’t want to lose the data inside it, and at the same time want it to be perfectly empty since PS5 will format it automatically, remember to back up the necessary data before the installation (if you need help, follow my guide on how to format SSD).
To begin the installation, first, ensure you have unplugged all cables from the console (HDMI, AC power cable, and/or others to connect the controllers via USB, etc.) and place the PS5 on a table or flat surface that allows you to lay it flat without obstacles or other objects. If you usually keep the console vertically, remember to also remove the stand used to hold it that way: if it’s attached, simply turn the small screw under the round base, even with your fingers, and detach it carefully.
Next, have ready a small star (or Phillips) screwdriver close to you (if you have any doubts, take at least two or three different sizes to be sure you have at least one that fits to unscrew the SSD secondary slot screw and the fastening screw of the unit).
If everything is ready this way, since the console is not connected to power or any other devices, you can proceed with the disassembly of the relevant shell, specifically the “wing” under which there is the slot to insert the additional SSD.
In the case of the standard model, you will need to disassemble the right shell (looking at the console from the front, it’s the left shell when viewed from the back), that is the side where the disc drive is located, if you have the standard model with a drive: to do this, push towards you the shell starting from the leftmost end and detach it gently from all corners.
Once done, you will see the inside of that side of the console, where at the top, just near the fan space, there is a sort of metal rectangle fixed by a screw, which is indeed the space dedicated to secondary SSDs.
Now take your screwdriver and slowly remove the screw securing the rectangle (being careful not to lose or break neither the rectangle nor the screw), then lift it, and in the slot, remove the any adapter that adjusts the SSD unit according to its length inside the space.
Then, unpack or remove the SSD unit from its package, if you haven’t done it yet, and gently take it to bring it into the slot. Align its end with the connectors of the SSD to those of the slot and thus connect them.
Being sure they are well secured, lay the SSD unit properly (if needed, use the adapter corresponding to the size you removed) and utilize the screw or the screws provided to secure it to its designated space in the console. Once that is done, take the metal rectangle again and latch it to the slot entrance, securing it with its provided screw.
After this step, take the outer shell of PS5 and reposition it exactly as before, sliding each hook into its corresponding hole in the console’s body, and then press firmly until you hear the typical “click”.
After that, you just need to take the reassembled console, plug it into the power and your TV or monitor and turn it on. Once turned on, after the PS5 detection of the auxiliary SSD, follow the prompts that appear on screen to format it and make it available as a new storage space.
As for the installation and movement of games, apps, and other digital content, I had already discussed it in my guides on how to increase PS5 memory and how to uninstall games on PS5.
How to Install SSD in PS5 Slim
Regarding how to install SSD in PS5 Slim, the procedure is the same as described in the previous chapter with one key difference.
As mentioned, the difference lies in the shape of the Slim console compared to the standard one: specifically, instead of detaching the entire shell/wing, with PS5 Slim, you will need to detach only the top left shell, viewed from the back, and top right shell, viewed from the front (as in the standard model, it would be the same side where the disc drive is located in the non-digital PS5 Slim model).
Once that part is removed, roughly in the same position (therefore close to the fan), you will again find an slot covered by a rectangle secured with a screw, allowing you to insert and install a compatible M.2 SSD, just as I explained in the previous chapter (remember to back up any data present on the unit if it is an SSD previously used).
Lastly, also in the case of Slim, when you’ve reassembled everything and connected the console to power and your monitor or TV, you will need to follow the on-screen instructions to enable storage.
How to Install SSD in PS5 Pro
Finally, if you are the owner of the most powerful PS5 model, I will briefly explain how to install SSD in PS5 Pro.
In practice, even in this case, the procedure is the same described in the first chapter, with the difference being the shape of the Pro console compared to the base model.
As I mentioned, PS5 Pro is very similar, even identical, to the Slim model, except for size. Therefore, once you have gently removed the same shell, always from the left side (when viewed from the back) and right side (when viewed frontally), you will find also in the case of the more powerful console the slot for inserting and connecting the SSD unit, right next to the fan. After removing the screw, inserting the compatible SSD, and completing the process, all you need to do is restart the console and follow all the on-screen steps for the initial formatting of the added storage unit.
To conclude, since you will have more space available to install more titles, I invite you to read my posts about the best PS5 games and especially about the best PS5 exclusives. Moreover, if you’re not subscribed and intend to have more games, I invite you to check my guides on how PS Plus works and the best games on PlayStation Plus for every bracket of Sony’s service.