How to Get Extra Storage Space on Your PS4: 3 Easy Methods

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Easy ways to add storage space or free up space on your PS4
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Today, many of the latest games can take up between 100 to 200 GB of hard drive space. The hard drive space on your PlayStation 4 can fill up pretty quickly, especially if you have one of the older models. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to expand and free up storage space. This wikiHow article teaches you how to get more storage space on your PS4.

How to Get More PS4 Storage

  • Purchasing an external hard drive for your PS4 can give you an extra 250 GB to 8 TB of storage space.
  • To free up storage space, delete games you no longer play. You can also delete saved data as well as image captures and video recordings.
  • You can also upgrade your PS4 to a newer model with more PS4 space.
Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Using an External Hard Drive

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    You can use an external HDD or SSD with your PS4. It supports external hard drives with between 250 GB and 8 TB of hard drive space. [1]
    • You can save and install games and applications, as well as upgrades, add-ons, and DLC to the external hard drive. You cannot save data, themes, screen captures, and video recordings. [2]
    • You can purchase an official Seagate PS4 2 GB external storage for about $105
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    Use a Superspeed USB cable of 5gbps or later to connect the external hard drive to one of the free USB ports on your PS4 console.
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    You will need to format the hard drive so that it can be used specifically with the PS4. This will erase any data that is saved to the hard drive. Back up and data on the hard drive you want to keep. Use the following steps to format the hard drive on your PS4:
    • Open the Settings menu.
    • Select Devices .
    • Select USB Storage Devices .
    • Select your external hard drive.
    • Select Format as Extended Storage .
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    You can change the install location so that games and apps are automatically installed on the external hard drive. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Open the Settings menu.
    • Select Storage .
    • Select Application Install Location .
    • Select Extended Storage .
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    If your PS4's internal hard drive is full, you can move some games and apps to the external hard drive. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Open the Settings menu.
    • Select Storage .
    • Select Extended Storage .
    • Select Applications .
    • Press the Options button on the controller.
    • Select Move to Extended Storage .
    • Select the checkbox next to the games you want to move.
    • Select Move .
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Deleting Games and Data

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    It's the icon that resembles a toolbox in the menu bar on top. You can free up more PS4 storage space by deleting unused apps and data from your system.
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    It's next to an icon that resembles a cylinder in the Settings menu.
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    If you don't have an external hard drive or USB drive connected, this will be the only option available.
    • If you want to free up storage on an external hard drive , you can select Extended Storage instead.
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    The bar graph at the top shows which category is taking up the most storage space. Applications usually take up to the most storage space. Screen captures and video recordings can also take up a lot of space.
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    This will display a menu to the left.
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    This will display a checkbox next to all your games or images.
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    Look for large games or files that you no longer play. Games that are at least 50 GB or more are the best to delete.
    • Deleting games by themselves will not delete your saved data. You can download the game again at a later date and resume your game where you left off. However, if you delete the saved data, you will need to start the game all over again.
    • If you have a subscription to PlayStation Plus, you can upload your saved data online. That way you can delete your saved data on your console and be able to retrieve it later on. If your subscription ends, your online saved data will remain online for 6 months, though you will not be able to access it unless you renew your subscription.
    • To select all items in the list, select Select all in the upper-right corner.
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    It's in the lower-right corner. This will display a confirmation screen.
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    This will confirm your decision and delete the games or items you selected.
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Upgrading Your PlayStation 4

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    The original PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 4 Slim comes with 500 GB of storage space. However, the PlayStation 4 Pro comes with 1 TB of storage space.
    • You can also upgrade to a PlayStation 5 , which comes with 850 GB of hard drive space, and plays PlayStation 4 games.
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    When you set up your new console, you are given the option to transfer your data from the old console to the new console. You can also transfer data to a new PlayStation in the Settings menu. Use the following steps to do so:
    • Make sure both PlayStations are powered on and signed into the PlayStation Network.
    • Connect both PlayStations with an ethernet cable.
    • If you are setting up a new PlayStation, select Transfer Data from Another PS4 during the setup process.
    • Go into the Settings menu on the PS4 you are transfer data to.
    • Select System .
    • Select Transfer data from Another PlayStation 4 .
    • Follow the on-screen instructions.
    • Do not turn off either PlayStation while data is transferring.
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      • You can use an external hard drive that has been formatted for a PS4 with a PS5. No need to reformat it.
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      • If you are trying to free up space to make room for a new game, be sure to free up twice as much storage space as the game requires. This will ensure that you have enough room for add-ons, saved data, and downloadable content.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.seagate.com/blog/external-hdd-vs-ssd-for-ps4/
      2. ↑ https://www.playstation.com/en-us/support/hardware/ps4-external-hdd-support/

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