Learn how to format a USB drive as USB extended storage, which USB drives can be used as USB extended storage and what can be stored in USB extended storage.
If you want to use a USB extended storage drive that you were previously using with your PS4 console, simply connect it to your PS5 console. You'll be able to access any PS4 games on the drive.
If the USB drive isn't disconnected properly, there may be data loss, corruption, or damage to your console or USB drive. Safely remove a USB drive.
When you format a USB drive, any data saved on the drive is erased. Data erased this way cannot be recovered, so be careful and make sure you do not erase important data.
USB drives that you used as USB extended storage on your PS4 console don't need to be re-formatted.
When you first start using a USB drive with a PS5 console, format the drive as USB extended storage by following these steps:
Connect your USB drive to a USB port on the back of your PS5 console.
Go to Settings > Storage.
Select USB Extended Storage > Format as USB Extended Storage.
When there are multiple USB drives connected, you can change which USB drive you format by choosing Select Another USB Drive.
Do not turn off the power or disconnect the USB drive while it's being formatted. Doing this may cause data loss, corruption, or damage to your PS5 console or USB drive.
To play PS5 games that are in USB extended storage, you need to go to your game library, and copy the game to console storage from the options menu. Copying games is faster than redownloading them. It's also faster than reinstalling them from the disc if the game on USB extended storage has add-ons or has been updated.
You can play PS4 games directly from your USB extended storage drive.
To make your USB extended storage drive the default location to store new PS4 games downloaded on your PS5 console:
When you want to temporarily stop using your USB extended storage drive, or you want to use your drive on another PS5 console or PS4 console, make sure your console's power indicator is completely off before disconnecting the USB extended storage drive from your console.
If you want to disconnect a USB extended storage drive while your console is turned on, follow these steps:
When you want to use the USB drive again, connect it to a USB port on the back of your PS5 console.
Before you disconnect the cable, select Settings > Devices > USB Storage Devices > Stop.
You can format a drive when you no longer want to use it as a USB extended storage drive for your PS5 console. When you format the USB extended storage drive, all game data saved on the drive is erased.
Go to Settings > Storage > USB Extended Storage.
Select ... (More) > Format as exFAT.
Do not turn off the power or disconnect the USB drive while it's being formatted. Doing this may cause data loss or corruption, or damage to your PS5 console or USB drive.
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