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How to Manage PS5 Storage Before Downloading a PS Plus Game

See how to check PS5 storage, free space safely, keep games on USB storage, and use an M.2 SSD for PS5 downloads and play.
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Before downloading a PlayStation Plus game, check Settings > Storage on your PS5 to see how much space is free and what is using it. The fastest fix is usually to delete an installed game or app you no longer need; purchased games can be downloaded again from your game library. If you want to keep a PS5 game installation, USB extended storage can archive it, while a compatible M.2 SSD can store and run it. PlayStation Plus cloud storage holds saved data, not game installations.

Check what is taking up space

  1. From the PS5 home screen, open Settings > Storage.
  2. Review the available space and the storage categories to identify what is taking up room.
  3. To review installed games and apps, open Settings > Storage > Console Storage > Games and Apps.

Menu wording can vary by region or localization; follow the equivalent labels shown on your console.

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Free space by deleting games, apps, or selected game data

Delete an installation you do not need right now

In Games and Apps, select an unneeded game or application and choose Delete. Deleting the installed files frees console storage; it does not remove the right to re-download a purchased game. Find it later in your game library and download it again.

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Remove only part of a game when available

Some games offer a Customize option that lets you remove selected content, such as unused add-ons or completed portions, while keeping the rest installed. This is game-specific, so check the options for each title rather than expecting selective removal everywhere.

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  • 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 4TB[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.

Choose where to keep games you want to retain

Storage location What it holds Can you launch a PS5 game from it? Best use
Built-in console storage Installed games, saves, media, and other data Yes Games you currently play; remove old installs or selected game portions to make room.
USB extended storage PS5 and PS4 game data No. Copy a PS5 game back to console storage or an M.2 SSD to play it. PS4 games can be played directly from USB extended storage. Archive PS5 games you want to keep installed without using console storage.
Compatible M.2 SSD PS5 and PS4 game data Yes Add persistent capacity and download or play PS5 games directly.
PlayStation Plus cloud storage Saved data Not applicable; it does not store game installations. Back up or sync game saves.
USB drive formatted as FAT or exFAT, not as extended storage Screenshots, media, and PS4 saved data, subject to device support Not applicable; it is not for game installations. Copy supported media or PS4 saves.

Move a PS5 game to USB extended storage

  1. Open Game Library and select Options > Move Games and Apps.
  2. Select the game and move it to USB extended storage.
  3. When you want to play that PS5 game, copy it back to console storage or an M.2 SSD. A PS5 game stored on USB extended storage cannot launch from there.

For USB extended storage, Sony specifies SuperSpeed USB of 5 Gbps or later and a capacity from 250 GB to 8 TB; not every device is guaranteed to work. Formatting a drive erases its existing data, so back up anything important before formatting it for this use.

Consider an M.2 SSD for games you want to play from expanded storage

A compatible M.2 SSD can hold, download, and run PS5 games. Sony says a compatible M.2 drive can expand PS5 storage up to 8 TB; that is a stated maximum, not a guarantee that every drive of that capacity will work. M.2 SATA drives are unsupported, and requirements vary by console model. Check Sony’s current compatibility and installation requirements before buying.

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To set where games are installed, use Settings > Storage > Installation Location and choose M.2 storage. PlayStation Support says PS5 games can be downloaded directly to M.2 SSD storage and played from it.

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Do not confuse cloud saves with download space

PlayStation Plus cloud storage is for saved data, not game installation files. Sony lists up to 100 GB of PS5 saved data and 100 GB of PS4 saved data; these are cloud-save limits, not space available for downloading games. Deleting cloud saves is therefore not a way to make room for a game installation.

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WD_BLACK 2TB SN850P NVMe M.2 SSD Officially Licensed Storage Expansion for PS5 Consoles, up to 7,300MB/s, with heatsink - WDBBYV0020BNC-WRSN
  • 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.

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.

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