Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsOpen Settings > Storage on your PS5, identify the largest games and apps, and delete titles you are finished with. Purchases remain in your Game Library for redownloading. If you want to keep the installation, move it to USB extended storage or an added M.2 SSD instead. USB storage can archive PS5 games, but those games must be copied back before you can play them; a compatible M.2 SSD can store, download and launch PS5 games without that extra transfer.
Start by seeing what is consuming the drive
The PS5 separates storage into games and apps, media, and saved data. Checking these categories first prevents you from deleting the wrong type of content and shows whether one large installation or a collection of captures is causing the shortage.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Storage.
- Review Console Storage and the space used by Games and Apps, Media Gallery and Saved Data.
Games and apps usually offer the largest immediate recovery. Media Gallery can also grow quickly if you keep long gameplay clips. Saved data is comparatively small and should be handled separately from installed game files.
Delete a game without deleting its installation data by mistake
Remove an installation
- Go to Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
- Sort or review the list, then select games you no longer play or the largest inactive titles.
- Choose Delete and confirm.
This command targets the installed game or application in Games and Apps. Do not select Saved Data if you want to keep progress. After deletion, the purchase remains associated with your account and can be downloaded again from Game Library; a disc-based title can be reinstalled from its disc.
#1 Best Overall
- Officially licensed M.2 SSD for PlayStation 5 consoles[4] so you can easily install and play with no concern of compatibility. [4]For PlayStation 5 system software compatibility, please visit the official WD_BLACK site.
- With capacities ranging from 1TB to 8TB[1], your PS5 console has the additional space to store up to 200 games[3] (8TB model) [1]1GB = 1 billion bytes and 1TB = one trillion bytes. Actual user capacity may be less depending on operating environment. [3] Number of games based on a 36GB average per game. The number of games will vary based on file size, formatting, other programs, and factors.
- Experience uninterrupted gameplay with a brand-new, optimized heatsink designed especially for the PS5 console for an easy, worry-free installation into the M.2 slot.
- Play directly from the drive and eliminate the need to transfer or delete games from your console with tested and approved storage for your PS5 console[4].
- Push the envelope of PCIe Gen 4 technology with read speeds up to 7,300MB/s[2], giving you seamless gameplay and incredibly short load times. [2]1 MB/s = 1 million bytes per second. Based on internal testing; performance may vary depending upon host device, usage conditions, drive capacity, and other factors.
Before deleting a game you may return to soon
- Record whether the game is a digital purchase or disc installation so you know how it will be restored.
- Check that your account can access the title in Game Library.
- Keep the saved-data entry. If your subscription and region support it, copy saved data to PlayStation Plus cloud storage as an additional safeguard.
Deleting and redownloading is the fastest way to reclaim internal space when you rotate through only a few games, but restoring a title later requires a download or disc installation and any subsequent updates.
Move games instead of deleting them
The PS5 can move installed games between console storage, a connected USB extended-storage device and an added M.2 SSD. This preserves the installation files, so you avoid downloading the entire game again.
Move a title from the Game Library
- Open Game Library and highlight the game.
- Press the controller’s Options button.
- Select Move Games and Apps.
- Choose the connected USB extended-storage device or the M.2 SSD storage as the destination, then confirm.
You can also manage moves from the storage screen. The destination must have enough free capacity; moving several large titles can take time, so leave the console powered and connected until the transfer finishes.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Choose the right storage method
| Option | Best for | What it can do | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delete and redownload | Players who cycle through a small number of games | Immediately frees console space; digital purchases remain available in Game Library | Playing the title again requires a download or disc installation |
| USB extended-storage drive | Keeping a large library at relatively low cost | Stores PS5 and PS4 game files; plays PS4 games directly from the USB drive | PS5 games must be copied back to console storage or M.2 storage before play |
| Internal M.2 NVMe SSD | Frequent PS5 players who want more games ready to launch | Stores, downloads and launches compatible PS5 and PS4 games directly | Requires a compatible drive, heat-dissipation hardware and physical installation |
| PlayStation Plus cloud storage | Protecting saved progress | Stores saved data; PlayStation advertises 100 GB for members, subject to plan and regional terms | Does not store installed game files and requires an eligible subscription |
The practical decision is whether you need an archive or always-ready capacity. USB is useful when you can tolerate a copy-back before playing a PS5 title. An M.2 SSD is the permanent expansion choice when you regularly switch among PS5 games and want them launchable without that step.
Rank #2
- 【Designed for desktop PC/PS5】- Perfectly fit for Samsung 860 EVO, 960 EVO, 970 EVO, 970 Pro, 980 Pro, PS5 etc. this M.2 SSD heatsink compatible with all single sided Type.
- 【Main body material】- Aluminum alloy, silver plating (helps eliminate static electricity), anodic oxidation surface treatment. Dimensions: 3 x 0.95 x 0.4inm.2 heatsink well fit for PS5 installation as well as PC M.2 Slot.
- 【Thermal Pads】- with good thermal conductivity ability. Low viscosity, with no damage to the M.2 SSD.
- 【High Performance】- With 10°C - 20°C cooling effect (varies depending on the environments), cool your M.2 2280 SSD to a safe temp to avoid overheating and throttling, improve your computer's performance.
- 【Easy to Install 】 - With double-sided clip design, are suitable for M.2 NVME SSD of various heights, stable installation, better protection of your M.2 SSD with good heat dissipation performance.
Using USB extended storage correctly
What USB storage is good for
A compatible USB extended-storage drive can hold both PS5 and PS4 games. PS4 games can run directly from that drive, allowing you to free console storage without moving them back. PS5 games can remain there as an archive, but the PS5 does not launch them directly from USB extended storage.
How to play an archived PS5 game
- Connect the USB extended-storage drive to the PS5.
- Open Game Library, highlight the PS5 game and press Options.
- Select Move Games and Apps.
- Copy the game to console storage or the added M.2 SSD.
- Start the game after the copy completes.
Copying is normally faster than downloading the complete title again, but it still needs free space on the destination. Keep the USB drive connected while you are using it as an archive, and use the PS5’s storage controls rather than unplugging it during a transfer.
USB capacity and expectations
Sony’s storage-solutions guidance lists compatible USB storage capacities from 250 GB to 8 TB. The usable amount is lower than the number printed on the drive because of formatting and system overhead. Capacity alone does not prove that a particular model meets every PS5 USB requirement, so check the current PlayStation compatibility guidance before buying.
Install an M.2 SSD for always-ready PS5 space
An M.2 expansion is installed inside the PS5’s expansion bay. Once a compatible drive is installed and formatted by the console, it can store, download and launch PS5 games as well as PS4 games. Unlike USB storage, it does not require moving a PS5 game back before play.
Rank #3
- DESIGNED FOR THE PS5 CONSOLE: Engineered to fit perfectly and easily into the PS5 console's SSD expansion slot for a quick and easy install.
- REVOLUTIONARY COOLING: Made from High-Quality CNC'd aluminum, the Sabrent Heatsink for the PS5 console was specifically designed to maximize cooling performance and simplify installation.
- UPGRADE YOUR CONSOLE! Rather than creating a heatsink that would only trap the heat in the metal cover, we designed a heatsink that replaces the native PS5 consoles cover. This allows for better cooling using the native fan as well as being a larger heatsink.
- INDUSTRIAL QUALITY: This SSD heatsink method also uses Sabrent's "Sandwich Design" which ensures even pressure throughout the SSD for efficient and consistent heat transfer unlike methods used by other brands.
- CONVENIENCE: Comes with an installation guide as well as screws and thermal tape for easy convenient installation.
PS5 M.2 compatibility checklist
Sony’s current requirements page, accessed October 19, 2026, specifies all of the following:
- Interface: PCIe Gen4x4-compatible M.2 NVMe SSD with a Key M connector.
- Capacity: 250 GB minimum and 8 TB maximum.
- Supported form factors: 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110.
- Width: no more than 25 mm total.
- Length: 30, 42, 60, 80 or 110 mm, matching the selected form factor.
- Thickness: no more than 11.25 mm including the cooling structure.
- Performance: Sony recommends a sequential read speed of 5,500 MB/s or faster.
- Cooling: effective heat dissipation, such as a compatible heatsink and thermal-transfer sheet, is required.
M.2 SATA drives are not supported. Search listings using the phrase PS5-compatible M.2 NVMe SSD with heatsink, then verify the complete dimensions, interface and cooling assembly against every requirement above. A listing that only states its capacity is not enough to establish compatibility.
Physical installation and first setup
- Fully shut down the PS5 rather than leaving it in Rest Mode, disconnect the power cable and allow the console to cool.
- Follow the current PlayStation hardware instructions to remove the outer cover and expose the M.2 expansion bay for your PS5 model.
- Fit the SSD and its approved cooling components so the combined assembly stays within the stated width and thickness limits, then secure it in the bay.
- Replace the cover, reconnect the console and start it.
- When prompted, format the new M.2 storage. Formatting erases the drive, so use a new or backed-up SSD.
- In Settings > Storage, confirm that the M.2 SSD appears and select it as the installation location when you want new games stored there.
Use the installation instructions for your exact PS5 hardware revision for the cover and bay procedure. If the console does not recognize the drive, shut down and recheck that the SSD is fully seated, the retaining hardware is secure and the heatsink assembly stays within Sony’s dimensions. An incompatible interface, excess thickness or inadequate cooling cannot be corrected by formatting.
Move captures without touching game installs
Screenshots and video clips are separate from game installations. Sony’s storage matrix supports moving captures to a USB drive, which can recover space without deleting a game or its save data.
Rank #4
- ❤M.2 heat sink 2-pack— Specially designed for desktop computers, this M.2 SSD heatsink compatible with M.2 2280 SSD, perfectly fit for Samsung 850 EVO, 860 EVO, 960 EVO, 970 EVO, 950 PRO, 960 PRO, 970 PRO, etc.
- ❤Double-sided cooling—Aluminum alloy-Groove design, greatly increase the heat dissipation area, with 10°C - 30°C cooling effect .
- ❤Nano Thermal Pad—made from Nano Silicon Grease Material, with good thermal conductivity ability. Soft enough and good ductility, compatible with uneven surfaces of the M.2 SSD. Low viscosity, with no damage to the SSD warranty label.
- ❤CNC Fine Workmanship—Main body material: Aluminum alloy, silver plating , anodic oxidation surface treatment. Dimensions: 3 x 0.95 x 0.4in., net weight: 1oz.,
- ❤Easy to Install —fixed screws on two side, for kinds of M.2 SSD.,
- Connect a USB drive with enough free space.
- Open Media Gallery and select the screenshots or clips to keep.
- Use the available copy or move command to transfer them to the USB drive, then verify the files before removing local copies.
Cloud storage is for saved data, not installed games or Media Gallery files. If clips are the reason the console is full, clearing or exporting them is more appropriate than moving a game.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Protect saved progress while reclaiming space
Game installations and saved data are different storage categories. The deletion path above works on Games and Apps; the save files remain in the separate Saved Data area unless you deliberately remove them there. Do not use a bulk-delete action in Saved Data when your goal is only to remove an installation.
PlayStation Plus members can use cloud storage for saved data; Sony advertises 100 GB, with availability and terms dependent on the membership plan and region. Cloud copies protect progress if you later reinstall a game, but they do not let you launch a game that has been deleted or left on USB.
Free space safely: a practical decision order
- Clear captures first if Media Gallery is unusually large; export anything important to USB.
- Delete inactive games from Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps when you can redownload or reinstall them later.
- Move PS4 games to USB if you want to keep them installed and playable without using internal space.
- Archive PS5 games on USB when you play them occasionally and can wait for a copy-back.
- Add an M.2 SSD when you need several PS5 games permanently ready to launch.
Keep a buffer of free console or M.2 capacity for updates and temporary installation files. If a move or installation reports insufficient space, remove or relocate another title first; the destination needs room for the complete game and the transfer process.
Best Value
- [2TB] Exceptional performance up to 7400MB/s read, 6500MB/s write; 1500TBW
- 2x faster than PCIe Gen 3 SSDs
- Designed with a heatsink to keep your rig cool for better performance and power efficiency
- Up to 40% less power consumption than DRAM cache-enabled PCIe Gen 4 SSDs
- Host Memory Buffer (HMB) 3.0 activates the DRAM cache function of your device for a smoother transfer speed and seamless performance
Common problems and the appropriate fix
A PS5 game on USB will not start
This is expected behavior for PS5 games on USB extended storage. Use Options > Move Games and Apps and copy the game to console storage or the M.2 SSD. PS4 games are the exception and can run from the USB drive.
The game disappeared after deletion
Open Game Library, locate the title and download it again, or insert its game disc. Deleting the installation does not remove the digital purchase from the account.
The M.2 SSD is rejected or does not appear
- Confirm it is PCIe Gen4x4 NVMe, Key M, not M.2 SATA.
- Check capacity is between 250 GB and 8 TB.
- Measure the complete SSD-and-heatsink assembly against the 25 mm width and 11.25 mm thickness limits and verify the supported length.
- Ensure the drive is fully seated and the console is completely powered off during installation.
- After correcting the hardware, restart the PS5 and format the drive when prompted; formatting erases existing contents.
A transfer is taking longer than expected
Large games take time to copy, and the process depends on the connected drive and the amount of data. Do not disconnect the storage device or interrupt power while the PS5 is moving files. If you only need the space immediately, delete the title and redownload it later instead of waiting for a move.
Bottom line
For an immediate fix, delete finished games from Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps; your purchases remain in Game Library and your saves are in a separate category. Use USB extended storage as a low-cost archive, remembering that PS5 games must be copied back before play. If you want additional space that behaves like the built-in drive, install an M.2 NVMe SSD that meets Sony’s interface, size, speed and heatsink requirements.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
