To expand PS5 storage you have two options: an internal M.2 SSD, which installs and plays PS5 games, or an external USB drive, which stores PS5 games and plays PS4 games. Before buying either, clear out what you don’t play.
Updated 29 October 2026.
How much space a PS5 really has
| Console | Advertised | Usable for games |
|---|---|---|
| Original PS5 | 825 GB | About 667 GB |
| PS5 Slim | 1 TB | About 848 GB |
With big games often over 100 GB each, a PS5 storage full warning can come after just five or six games. Check how much the next big release needs; see our guide to the GTA 6 download size.
Free up space today
- Settings > Storage > Console storage > Games and apps: delete what you haven’t played in months. Your digital games re-download free.
- Media gallery: delete old video clips. They add up fast.
- Turn off auto-captured trophy videos: Settings > Captures and broadcasts.
- Some games let you delete parts you don’t use, such as single-player or multiplayer packs.
Re-downloading costs data, so do it on home Wi-Fi, not bundles.
Internal M.2 SSD: what to look for
This is how to expand PS5 internal storage properly. Sony’s requirements:
- PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD.
- 250 GB to 8 TB.
- 5,500 MB/s read speed or faster recommended.
- A heatsink, built in or added, within Sony’s size limits.
Popular picks such as the Samsung 980 Pro and WD Black SN850 both meet the spec. Samsung 980 Pro vs WD Black SN850 for PS5? They perform almost the same in games, so buy whichever is cheaper in a heatsink version.
Typical prices in Kenya are roughly KES 10,000–16,000 for 1 TB and KES 18,000–30,000 for 2 TB, as a rough guide (prices move with the exchange rate). Avoid fake SSDs: very cheap “2 TB” drives often hold far less. Buy with a receipt and warranty.
External USB drive: what it can and can’t do
| External USB drive | |
|---|---|
| Store PS5 games | Yes |
| Play PS5 games from it | No, move them back first |
| Play PS4 games from it | Yes |
| Size | 250 GB to 8 TB, USB 3 or faster |
It’s the cheaper way to increase PS5 storage if you keep a big PS4 library.
Step-by-step SSD install
- Update the PS5 system software.
- Switch fully off (not rest mode) and unplug every cable.
- Lay the console down and remove the side cover. The method differs between models, so follow Sony’s guide for yours.
- Unscrew the M.2 slot cover.
- Move the spacer to match your SSD’s length.
- Insert the SSD at an angle, press it flat and screw it down.
- Refit the covers, switch on and format the drive when prompted.
While the cover’s off, clear any dust; see how to clean a PS5. If the console runs hotter afterwards, check the heatsink and read our PS5 overheating fix.
Quick answers
Fit an internal PCIe Gen4 M.2 SSD with a heatsink, or plug in a USB 3 external drive for storage and PS4 games.
PS4 games, yes. PS5 games can be stored there but must be moved back to internal storage to play.
A PCIe Gen4 x4 M.2 NVMe SSD of 250 GB–8 TB, ideally 5,500 MB/s or faster, with a heatsink.
