The PS4 Pro shipped with a 1 TB hard drive, a 2.5 inch internal disk, and a modern game library fills it fast, since PS4 games are often 50 GB or more and patches add more. You have three ways to expand: swap the internal drive for a larger 2.5 inch SATA drive or an SSD, which is the cure that also speeds loading; add USB extended storage, which has been supported since system software 4.50 and holds games you can play from it;
The checks in more detail
or free space by deleting games and captures. Open Settings, Storage, System Storage, Applications to see what is largest and delete finished games, since saved data is kept separately. In Settings, Storage you can move applications to extended storage. If you swap the internal drive, you need to install the system software again on the new one using a USB stick, and back up saves first to the cloud with PlayStation Plus or to USB.
Screenshots and video clips can be moved off to USB. Keep a few gigabytes free for updates. After swapping the internal drive for a larger one, the console must be set up again with the system software installed from a USB stick, and your games must be re-downloaded or restored from backup, so plan an evening for it. A solid-state drive makes the Pro start games and load levels noticeably faster, though the console's SATA interface limits the peak speed. Games bought digitally keep a download record in your library, so deleting a game to free space loses nothing you paid for, and re-downloading is free; disc games can be reinstalled from the disc when you need them.
If you keep PS3 or PS2 era games from the store, they can also take space, since they show up in Applications.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 4 Pro storage is full or games will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Large game installs
What separates it The drive fills with a few games
How to confirm Delete finished games
- 2
A small 1 TB hard drive
What separates it The 1 TB is the only storage
How to confirm Add USB extended storage or swap the drive
- 3
Captures and clips
What separates it Media takes space
How to confirm Move them to USB
- 4
Updates and DLC
What separates it Patches take space
How to confirm Delete older games before large updates
- 5
A full drive slowing the console
What separates it Slow menus and downloads
How to confirm Free space and rebuild the database
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The free space
- The largest applications
- Whether extended storage is used
- Whether saves are backed up
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedOpen System Storage
ReversibleSettings, Storage, System Storage.
Delete finished games
ReversibleSaves are kept.
Add USB extended storage
ReversibleFormat the drive in the console's settings.
Move games to the extended drive
ReversibleSettings, Storage, Move to extended storage.
Swap the internal drive if you want more
ReversibleBack up and follow Sony's steps.
Rebuild the database
ReversibleIn Safe Mode.
Download the system software for a drive swap
ReversibleGet the reinstall file from Sony's site onto a USB stick before you start.
Plan the re-download
ReversibleYour games re-download from the library, so check your data limit.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- USB storage
- Supported since system software 4.50.
- An SSD swap
- It also speeds loading.
- SATA limits
- The Pro's SATA II interface caps SSD speed, but it still helps.
- A drive swap takes time
- Re-downloading games takes hours.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a replacement drive is not detected, check its size and seating
- !If storage reads full wrongly, rebuild the database
- !Back up before any change
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Exact questions
Common questions
How big is the PS4 Pro's drive?+
1 TB.
Can I use a USB drive?+
Yes, for games.
Can I fit an SSD?+
Yes, a 2.5 inch SATA drive.
Will saves be lost?+
Not if backed up.
How long does a drive swap take?+
An evening, mostly re-downloading.
Will an SSD help a PS4 Pro?+
Yes, with loading times.