Upgrading to PS5 from PS4 is an excellent move if you want to up your game experience. As you use your new console, it also means you need to have more storage to accommodate more games. But the question that may arise on top of your head is this—can I Use my PS4 external drive on PS5?
Video games take up so much space. You consume over 20GB when there are new updates that can add up to 100GB of memory in your storage. An external hard drive is the best way to expand your storage so you can continue enjoying your games.
Can You Use Any External Drive on PS5?
Any USB extended storage drive can be connected to your PS5 via USB 3.0. You can simply plug your drive into your PS5 console through a USB connection, and you will be able to have more space for your games.
PS5 Requirements for USB Compatibility
You have to note that PS5 consoles have USB extended storage compatibility requirements. That’s why it requires:
- SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps.
- 250 GB minimum capacity.
- 8 TB maximum capacity.
Additionally, two or more USB extended storage drives can’t be connected at the same time. You can combine multiple USB drives to your console, but you can use only one at a time.
Also, keep in mind that not all devices are guaranteed to work with the PS5 console.
Is it Safe to Use an External Hard Drive on PS5?
The answer is yes. Using an external drive for your PS5 is relatively safe for your device if you follow the correct steps when connecting. Do not remove the external HDD while your PS5 is running. This may lead to data corruption, forcing you to reformat your drive.
You will lose all your downloaded games. If these happen, you need not worry about your PS5. Things like these typically occur, but they will not affect your console.
Getting out of storage space can also cause issues like when the PS4 keeps copying add-ons
Can You Use a PS4 External Hard Drive on PS5?
Yes, you can use a PS4 external hard drive on PS5. Simply connect your external hard drive to your PS5 console, and you can access your previous games on your drive. Since the day PS5 was launched, it has adapted all types of external hard drives that match the PS4. You are assured that the PS5 can also support any HDD that worked for your PS4.
However, the compatibility does not stop there. HDDs are usually made to have a plug-and-play feature. This means you can unplug your external drive from your PS4 and simply connect it to your PS5.
Once the two are connected, you can now access all your previous games and play them through PS5.
In addition, a PS5 update allows users to transfer their PS5 games to their HDD, allowing an extra benefit for owners regarding storage.
This is beneficial if you want to transfer games instead of deleting them. However, note that the games will only be playable on the SSD once transferred.
Does Your PS4 External Hard Drive Always Work on PS5?
Generally, an external HDD or SSD that connects via USB 3.0 will work with PS5, including your PS4 hard drive. You can take your PS4 external hard drive and plug it into your new PS5 console. All your games can be transferred in no time.
Why Use a PS4 External HDD on PS5?
Because storage is an integral part of every gamer. Your PS5 has an SSD of 825 GB which only gives you limited storage for the best games you like. It may cost you a lot more if you want to add an internal SSD.
One of the best ways to save up on storage without paying more is by using your PS4 external drive on your PS5. You can enjoy your PS4 and PS5 games without worrying about storage spaces.
Otherwise, if you still want to pay more for additional internal storage, then you can add up to 8TB to your PS5 and enjoy many games as long as you want.
Related article: Can you use PS5 controller on PS4?
Reasons Your PS4 External Drive Doesn’t Work on PS5
Will my PS4 external hard drive work on PS5? Yes, however, this is not always the case.
Although your PS4 external drive is commonly adaptive to PS5, there are still instances when the two won’t seem to work together.
Here are the common reasons why:
- USB Cable or Bridge issues. If your PS4 external hard drive does not work on PS5, you may have an issue with your USB connection. There are cases when the PS4 external HDD USB cable or the USB bridge is loose. It is also possible that your PS5 USB port is defective.
- USB Hub Problems. Also, the connection might not push through if you connect your PS4 external HDD to PS5 through the front USB port or a USB hub.
- Damaged External Hard Drive. Just like any other device, if your PS4 external hard drive was accidentally dropped, it may likely cause damage to the internal components.
- Data Corruption. This is another issue for the PS4 external HDD not connecting with your PS5 console. If the data is corrupted, no transfer shall begin. You need to reformat your drive, which means all your games will be erased.
- Multiple Hard Drives Connected. If you are currently connecting another external hard drive to your PS5, then your PS4 HDD will not be able to get to its system. The PS5 can only accommodate one external drive. You need to disconnect one external hard drive and connect your PS4 drive to be able to establish the connection.
- PS4 Software Not Updated. Double-check your PS4 if it needs updating. Your PS4 should be at its latest version to connect with an external drive and onto your new console.
How to Play PS4 Games from External Hard Drive on PS5?
Use the plug-and-play feature of the HDD to connect your PS4 external drive to your PS5. Find the USB port behind the console to play your PS4 games. Aside from this feature, you can also download your PS4 games directly to the HDD through your PS5 console.
And yes, you can download games on PS5 disc version.
The PS5 also allowed the automatic installment of any PS4 games to your external drive.
This is a nice feature to enjoy as it ensures your PS5’s internal memory of 825 GB SSD remains available should there be next-gen games that require SSD.
If you want to benefit from this feature, you have to go to your PS5 settings. Go to the Storage section and scroll down to Extended Storage.
Click the “Install PS4 Games to USB Extended Storage” option to enable the said feature.
How to Transfer PS4 Games to PS5 External Hard Drive
Now that you know the answers to your question “Will my PS4 external hard drive work on PS5”, it’s time to know how to transfer your favorite games to your new hard drive.
The PS5’s latest system allows the transfer of PS4 games through external USB or portable SSD. You can redownload games from your PS4 to PS5, including the PS Plus Collection games that come as a freebie if you are a PlayStation Plus user.
Check out if you need PS Plus to play Minecraft
You can do all this while getting a PS5 game upgrade without paying extra fees.
However, remember that even when you save PS5 games via an external hard drive, you can only play them if you move them back to your PS5’s internal SSD.
On the other hand, you can directly play your PS4 games from an external device, allowing your PS5 more space. It is much more convenient to transfer games than to re-downloading them.
Conclusion: Yes, PS4 External Hard Drive Work on PS5
Can I use my PS4 external drive on PS5? Of course. If you are wondering if your PS4 external hard drive will work well with your new console, you do not need to worry as it will connect just fine.
Just make sure your USB connections are all good and that there is no malware within your drive to facilitate the smooth storage and transfer of your games.
