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If your PS5 storage is full before a large download, start at Settings > Storage. Delete an unused game or app, or use a game’s Customize option to remove unneeded add-ons or portions. If you want to keep the game, move it to USB extended storage for archiving, or install a compatible M.2 SSD when you need PS5 games to remain playable from the added space.
How do I free up space on my PS5?
Use the PS5’s storage screen to identify what is consuming local capacity, then choose the least disruptive option. Installed games and apps usually provide the largest immediate target, while saved data and screenshots are managed separately. The amount recovered by deleting an item varies by game, updates, language packs, add-ons and other installed content, so check the size shown on your own console rather than relying on a fixed estimate.
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1. Check what is using the storage
- From the PS5 home screen, open Settings.
- Select Storage.
- Review the categories for games and apps, media, and saved data.
This view helps you avoid deleting a large game when a collection of captures or an unused application is the real source of the shortage. It also makes clear whether you need installation space or only space for personal files.
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2. Delete an installed game or app
- Open Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.
- Select the game or application you no longer need installed.
- Choose Delete and confirm.
Deleting an installation does not remove your purchase entitlement. Sony says purchased games and applications can be downloaded again from your game library. You will, however, need to download the game and its updates again before playing it, so this is best for titles you can reinstall later rather than for a game you expect to launch immediately.
#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.
3. Look for Customize before deleting the whole game
Some games show a Customize control beside the title in the games-and-apps storage list. When available, it may let you remove individual add-ons or portions that you no longer use while keeping the main installation. Examples can include a campaign, language package or a multiplayer component, but the available choices depend entirely on the game. Not every title supports this option, and the space recovered is different for every installation.
Open Customize, read the component names carefully, and remove only content you are certain you do not need. If the option is absent, the console is not offering selective removal for that title through this menu; choose a different game, delete the complete installation, or use external storage instead.
Choose the right way to make space
The best solution depends on whether you need space immediately, want to keep a game archive, or want additional storage from which PS5 games can be played.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems| What you need | Best-supported path | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Free capacity now without buying hardware | Delete a game or app, or remove selected content with Customize when the game provides it | The deleted installation may need to be downloaded again before you play |
| Keep PS5 game files for a faster transfer than downloading again | Move the game to USB extended storage | PS5 games stored there cannot run directly; they must be copied back first |
| Keep more PS5 games installed and playable | Add a compatible M.2 SSD | The drive must meet Sony’s current compatibility requirements and be installed and formatted correctly |
| Protect game progress | Upload PS5 saves to PlayStation Plus cloud storage | Cloud saves are separate from the game installation and require a PlayStation Plus subscription |
Move a PS5 game to USB extended storage
USB extended storage is useful when you want to keep a PS5 game without occupying the console’s internal storage. It is an archive and transfer location for PS5 games, not a place from which PS5 games can be launched. PS4 games have different behavior and can be played directly from a compatible USB extended-storage drive.
“PlayStation®5 games can’t be played directly from USB extended storage, so make sure to copy PS5® game data back to your console storage when you want to play the game again.”
PlayStation Support, “USB extended storage on PlayStation 5 consoles”
Rank #2
M.2 Heatsink Cooler 2280 SSD Double-Sided Heat Sink with Thermal Silicone pad for PS5/PC PCIE NVME M2 SSD(Black）)
- 【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.
USB extended-storage requirements
| Requirement | What Sony specifies |
|---|---|
| Connection speed | SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or later |
| Capacity | At least 250 GB and no more than 8 TB |
| Hub use | A USB hub cannot be used for this setup |
| Simultaneous drives | Only one USB extended-storage drive can be in use at a time |
| Compatibility | Not every device is guaranteed to work, even when its headline capacity appears suitable |
The 250 GB minimum and 8 TB maximum are Sony’s stated platform requirements, not a promise that every drive in that range will perform identically. Check the drive’s connection, capacity and compatibility before formatting it.
Format a drive as extended storage
Formatting turns the drive into PS5 extended storage and erases its existing contents. Copy any files you want to keep somewhere else first. Do not disconnect the drive or turn off the console while formatting is in progress.
- Connect the compatible USB drive directly to the PS5, not through a hub.
- Open Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage.
- Choose the option to format the drive as extended storage and confirm after reading the erase warning.
If the drive contains important files, stop before confirming. Extended-storage formatting is not a way to preserve those files; it prepares the entire drive for console game storage.
Move an installed game
- Open Game Library.
- Highlight the game you want to archive.
- Press the Options button on the controller.
- Select Move Games and Apps and follow the on-screen confirmation.
After the transfer, the PS5 game remains in your library but is not playable until you move or copy it back to console storage or a compatible M.2 SSD. Copying an archived game back is generally preferable to downloading the entire title again when your internet connection is slow or capped. A PS4 game on the same type of extended-storage drive can be played directly, subject to the game and drive being supported.
Safely remove the USB drive
Use Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage > Safely Remove from PS5 before unplugging the drive. Alternatively, wait until the console is fully powered off. Removing the cable while the drive is being used can interrupt transfers or damage data.
Add a compatible M.2 SSD when PS5 games must stay playable
An M.2 SSD is the expansion choice when you want to download, install and play PS5 games from additional storage instead of treating the drive as an archive. Sony’s storage information states that a compatible M.2 expansion can add up to 8 TB and can store, download and play PS5 and PS4 games as well as media applications. The 8 TB figure is the platform’s stated ceiling, not a recommendation that every player needs a drive that large.
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.
Check compatibility before buying
M.2 compatibility is specification-sensitive. Use Sony’s current, localized M.2 compatibility requirements immediately before purchasing because supported dimensions and performance characteristics matter, and system-software guidance can change. Sony’s M.2 FAQ specifically says SATA M.2 SSDs are unsupported. Do not assume that an M.2 drive is suitable merely because it fits the connector or is advertised for a computer.
The full drive is formatted for use in the PS5. Sony also explains that all data for an individual game must reside in one location; the console does not split one game’s installation between internal storage and an M.2 SSD. Plan capacity accordingly when deciding which games to move.
Installation cautions
- Sony’s installation guidance calls for a Phillips screwdriver.
- Discharge static electricity before handling the SSD or console components.
- Confirm that the drive meets every current requirement and has an appropriate physical fit, including any required heatsink arrangement.
- Incorrect installation or a non-compliant drive may damage the console or the SSD.
For a one-time emergency download, deleting or archiving a game is faster and carries less hardware risk. An M.2 SSD makes sense when the recurring problem is a lack of playable game capacity and you are prepared to follow Sony’s full installation instructions.
Keep saved data separate from game installations
Save files record progress; they do not contain the complete game installation. Moving or deleting a game does not automatically move its saves, and uploading saves does not create local room for a new game.
PlayStation Plus cloud storage
Sony says PlayStation Plus members can upload PS5 saves to cloud storage, and its US storage information describes 100 GB of PlayStation Plus cloud storage. That capacity is online save storage, not extra space for installing games on the console. Use it to protect progress or restore saves on a compatible console, not as a replacement for internal, USB extended or M.2 game storage.
USB storage for PS4 saves and media
A separate USB drive formatted as FAT or exFAT, rather than as PS5 extended storage, can be used for PS4 save files and media files. Formatting a drive for extended storage and formatting one for general file transfer are different operations, so choose the format based on what you need the drive to do.
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.,
Sony says PS5 screenshots and video clips can be copied to USB. It also says media cannot be copied from USB back to console storage. If your media collection is the item consuming capacity, copy files out before deleting them and keep the originals on another device.
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Use this sequence when the download is waiting for free capacity:
- Open Settings > Storage and identify whether games, media or saved data are responsible.
- In Console Storage > Games and Apps, sort through installed titles and check each title’s displayed size.
- Open Customize on a large game when the control is present; remove only unused components.
- If selective removal is unavailable, delete an unplayed game or application whose purchase can be downloaded again from the library.
- If you want to keep the installation, move the PS5 game to a correctly formatted USB extended-storage drive, remembering that it must be copied back before play.
- If you need a permanent pool of playable PS5 storage, use a compatible M.2 SSD and follow Sony’s current requirements and installation instructions.
- Return to the storage screen and verify that the available console or M.2 capacity has increased before starting the download.
Do not delete saved data simply because it appears in the storage menu. Confirm that you are removing an installation, add-on or media file rather than the progress you intend to keep.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Assuming every game supports component removal
Customize is title-dependent. If it does not appear, there is no guarantee that the game can be reduced through selective deletion. Use the complete-delete option or storage transfer instead.
Expecting USB storage to run PS5 games
USB extended storage can hold PS5 game data, but PS5 games cannot be played directly from it. Copy the game to console storage or M.2 storage when you want to launch it. Direct play from USB applies to supported PS4 games, not PS5 games.
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Formatting the wrong drive
Formatting as extended storage erases the drive. Back up photographs, videos, documents and other files before confirming. A drive used for general FAT or exFAT file storage is not automatically ready for PS5 extended-storage use.
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
Buying an incompatible M.2 drive
Physical fit alone is not enough. SATA M.2 SSDs are unsupported according to Sony’s FAQ, and other requirements must also be met. Check Sony’s current compatibility checklist for your region and console software before ordering.
Unplugging USB storage without removing it safely
Use the PS5’s Safely Remove from PS5 command, or wait for a complete shutdown. Do not disconnect a drive during formatting, moving or copying.
Confusing cloud capacity with installation capacity
PlayStation Plus cloud storage protects saves. It does not make room for a game download. Likewise, copying screenshots to USB can reduce media usage, but it does not move the game installation itself.
Can the PlayStation App help?
Sony’s US storage information says storage management through the PlayStation App is supported while the console is in rest mode. This can be convenient when you are away from the TV, but it still manages the PS5’s local storage; it does not turn cloud storage into a game-installation location. Ensure the console is configured for the required rest-mode connectivity before relying on remote management.
What to do when the download still will not start
- Reopen Settings > Storage and verify that the free space increased in the location where the game will be installed.
- Check whether the game is being installed to console storage or to an M.2 SSD, then make room on that specific location.
- If you moved the wrong title to USB, copy it back or choose another installation to delete.
- Check for a partially installed or duplicate version of a game in Games and Apps and remove only the version you no longer need.
- Do not count PlayStation Plus cloud space, a USB archive, or a drive that has not been formatted and recognized by the console as immediately available installation capacity.
- If a newly connected drive is not recognized, disconnect it safely, check that it is connected directly rather than through a hub, and verify its capacity and SuperSpeed USB rating against Sony’s requirements.
Storage figures can change as downloads, updates and temporary installation data are processed. Wait for an active transfer to finish, then check the storage screen again before deciding that deletion failed.
Which option is right for your situation?
For a single large download, start with the built-in storage menu and remove an unplayed installation or unused game component. That path costs nothing and does not require hardware. If you want to preserve a PS5 game without redownloading it, USB extended storage is the practical archive, provided you accept the copy-back step. If your PS5 storage is repeatedly full and you want several PS5 games available without moving them around, a compatible M.2 SSD is the appropriate long-term expansion; verify every requirement before installation.
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