How To Install an SSD on a PS5

PlayStation 5’s built-in solid-state drive (SSD) is one of its more impressive features. However, its storage is bound to fill up quickly if you game regularly. Out of the available 825 GB, only 667 GB can be used for games.

You don’t need to remove older games to make room for the latest releases. You can just upgrade the console’s SSD. If you’re unsure how to install an SSD into a PS5 console, this article has you covered.

Installing an SSD to a PS5

Upgrading your PS5’s SSD is relatively straightforward, though it involves disassembling parts of your console. The payoff will be well worth it, since the new SSD will give you all the storage space you need and drastically increase the console’s speed.

Before purchasing a new SSD, make sure the PS5 console supports it.

How to Choose the Right SSD for a PS5

You can’t buy just any SSD you like and install it in your PS5 console. There are several requirements that this drive has to meet to ensure it can keep up with the PS5 system and its internal SSD. A compatible SSD should comply with the following.

• Have a PCI-Express 4.0 x 4 M.2 NVMe SSD interface and a Socket 3 (Key M) socket
• Hold between 250 GB and 4 TB of storage space
• Be size 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280, or 22110
• Be 30, 40, 60, 80, or 110 mm long
• Be up to 11.25 mm thick
• Be up to 25 mm wide
• Have at least 5,500 Mbps of sequential read speed

Once you purchase an SSD that checks all the boxes, there are a few steps to follow before you can install it.

How to Prepare for the Installation

Before installing a compatible SSD, ensure that your PS5 console’s software has been fully updated. Then, turn off the device before you start tinkering with its components. Make sure to turn off your PS5 manually since pushing the power button will only put it into sleep mode.

Here’s how to properly turn off your PS5.

1. Press the PlayStation button on your controller.
   
2. Tap the “Power” icon.
   
3. Select the “Power Off” option.
   
4. Wait for all the lights to turn off.
   
5. Disconnect the power cable.
   
6. Disconnect all the remaining cables and devices.
   
7. Wait for the console to cool down.

Now, your console can be transferred to your designated work space. This space should be a cleared-out, flat surface with a protective covering in a well-lit room. Besides an appropriate workstation, you’ll need a few basic hand tools.

• #1 Phillips screwdriver
• A pair of tweezers
• A small flashlight (optional)

Once the space and the gear are ready to go, touch a metal-grounded object to remove static electricity from your body. This will help prevent any damage to your SSD or PS5 console.

The final step is to lay your console on your workstation, ensuring the PlayStation logo is facing down, and the ports are facing you.

How to Add an SSD to a PS5

If you want to install an M.2 SSD into your PS5 console, you must ensure it has effective heat dissipation with the help of a cooling structure. A heat sink and a heat transfer sheet will do the job. If your chosen SSD has no built-in cooling structure, you must install it manually. Since heat sinks vary in design, the best course of action is to follow the instructions that come with them.

Finally, it’s time to get down to business. Follow these steps to remove your console’s side panel.

1. Using your right hand, firmly grip the edge of the lower-right corner of the panel. Your left hand should grip the edge of the upper-left corner.
   
2. Gently pull up the lower-right corner.
   
3. After the cover is lifted, slide it off using your left thumb while stabilizing the console with the rest of your left-hand fingers.
   

The panel should come off with relatively little force. If it doesn’t move, don’t apply more force. Instead, try experimenting a little to find a different angle that will allow you to slide the panel to the left.

It probably goes without saying, but never power on your console while the cover is off.

Store the cover away in a secure place and move on to preparing the expansion slot for your SSD.

1. Remove the rectangular cover over the slot in the upper-right corner by taking out its screw.
   
2. Lift the cover off and store it securely with its screw.
   
3. Remove the small screw on the far right.
   
4. Hold your SSD over the slot to check where your spacer needs to be.
   
5. Use the tweezers to move the spacer to the correct hole, depending on your SSD’s length.
   

The expansion slot is now ready to take in the SSD.

1. Gently slide in the SSD with the heat sink facing up and the connection points facing left.
   
2. Carefully press down on the right edge of the SSD to fit it against the spacer.
   
3. Install the small screw you’ve previously removed. Make sure it fits the correct spacer hole.
   
4. Once your drive sits completely flat, screw the expansion slot cover back on.
   

The final step is protecting the console with the cover.

1. Hold the cover about 3/4 inches from the top edge.
   
2. Slide it back into place.
   

You’ll know you’ve secured the cover correctly once you hear a clicking sound.

After following all these steps carefully, you can reconnect the cables and turn on your PS5 console.

Before using all the new storage space, you’ll have to format the new SSD.

How to Format an SSD on a PS5

Once the console powers up, an on-screen message will prompt you to format the new SSD. You can’t continue using your console without formatting the disc. This process will delete all the data on the M.2 disc and will last only a few minutes. Simply press the “Format M.2 SSD” button to get it done.

No More Game of Give and Take

Installing a new SSD will spare you from making the impossible decision of which old games have to go. You’ll have enough storage space and impressive speed to game to your heart’s content. You don’t need advanced computer or mechanical skills to perform this task. Just a few hand tools and our guide will do.

What game takes up the most space on your PS5 console? Have you considered deleting some games to save space? Let us know in the comments section below.