A PS4 whose storage is full has three fixes in Sony's pages: delete games and applications from the Library with Options, Delete (you can redownload purchases), install to USB extended storage and play from it, or replace the internal hard drive with a larger one. The upgrade needs a long Phillips screwdriver, a backup first and a reinstall of the system software from a USB file afterwards, and the Pro and Slim open differently. Saved data can be copied to a USB drive or uploaded to PlayStation Plus online storage.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 4 (Slim and Pro) storage is full or games will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The internal hard drive is full of games
What separates it The console cannot install a new game and Settings, Storage shows little space
How to confirm Look at what each game uses and delete or offload those you have finished
- 2
Old saved data and captures
What separates it You have few games but Application Saved Data Management shows large saves
How to confirm Copy saved data to a USB drive or online storage and delete it from the console
- 3
A USB drive not set up as extended storage
What separates it You plugged in a drive but games still install to the internal drive
How to confirm Format the drive as USB extended storage and set it as the installation location
- 4
A hard drive too small for your library
What separates it You keep deleting and reinstalling the same games because the hard drive is too small for your library
How to confirm Upgrade the internal drive; the PS4 uses a 2.5-inch hard drive you can swap for a larger one
- 5
A drive replacement done without reinstalling the system software
What separates it After a swap the console asks for the system software and shows no data
How to confirm Save Sony's reinstallation file to a USB drive and use Safe Mode's Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software)
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The free space shown in Settings, Storage and the largest games
- Whether you use USB extended storage, and which USB drive
- Your PS4 series from the model number: CUH-2000 or CUH-7000, since the drive bay differs
- Whether saved data is backed up to USB or PlayStation Plus online storage
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck what is using the space
ReversibleGo to Settings, Storage and look at how much is used by applications, saved data and captures. Note the free space so you can tell how much you need to clear.
Delete games you have finished
ReversibleHighlight the game in the content launcher or Library, press OPTIONS and choose Delete. Sony says you will not lose access to purchases, because you can redownload them from your Library.
Copy saved data to USB
ReversibleInsert a USB drive, go to Settings, Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data in System Storage, Copy to USB Storage Device, tick the saves and choose Copy. You must be signed in to use this.
Use USB extended storage for PS4 games
ReversibleSony says PS4 games can be installed to and played directly from USB extended storage. Format the drive as extended storage and set it as the installation location.
Upload saves to online storage
ReversibleIf you subscribe to PlayStation Plus, go to Settings, Application Saved Data Management, Saved Data in System Storage, Upload to Online Storage, and choose the saves.
Back up everything before an upgrade
ReversibleUse Settings, System, Back Up and Restore with a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive that has at least double the storage of the backup. Do not turn the console off while backing up.
Replace the hard drive
ReversibleYou need a long Phillips screwdriver. Turn the console off, unplug it, open the drive bay for your series, remove the bracket screws, swap the drive and refit it. The CUH-7000 Pro and the CUH-2015 series open differently from CUH-1000 to CUH-1200 models.
Reinstall the system software
ReversibleAfter the swap, save Sony's reinstallation file into a folder PS4/UPDATE on a USB drive as PS4UPDATE.PUP, start Safe Mode and choose Initialize PS4 (Reinstall System Software). Then restore your saved data.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Drive sizes
- The Slim ships with a 500GB or 1TB hard drive and the Pro with 1TB, per Sony's own specifications; both take a replacement 2.5-inch drive.
- Opening the drive bay
- On the Pro (CUH-7000) you remove the HDD bay cover from the right side first; the CUH-2015 series slides its cover off; the CUH-1200 series needs the top panel slid away and the PlayStation-symbol screw turned to release the drive.
- Tools and supplies
- A long Phillips screwdriver, a soft cloth to rest the console on, a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive for the backup and the reinstall file, and a towel. Do not over-tighten the screws.
- Model number for support
- Have the series ready, not a part number; the CUH model number is on the back or spine depending on the series.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If you lose the drive cover, screws or bracket during an upgrade, contact Sony technical support, as its guide says
- !If the console will not recognize a replacement drive after reinstalling the system software, contact PlayStation support
- !If the console says the drive is corrupted, do not keep restarting it; back up what you can and contact Sony
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. Sony does not endorse a hard drive make or list a maximum size in these pages, so this page does not either. The steps for older CUH-1000 series consoles are only summarized here because Sony's page is long and series-specific.
Deleting, saved data and USB storage.
Steps for the CUH-7000, CUH-2015 and CUH-1000 to CUH-1200 series.
Backing up to a USB drive.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I free up space on a PS4?+
Delete games from the Library with OPTIONS, Delete, move PS4 games to USB extended storage or upgrade the internal hard drive. Sony says you can redownload deleted purchases.
Can I play PS4 games from a USB drive?+
Yes. Sony says you can set USB extended storage as the installation location for PS4 games and play them directly from it.
Can I upgrade the PS4 hard drive?+
Yes. The PS4 uses a 2.5-inch hard drive that Sony's guide shows how to replace. You need a long Phillips screwdriver, a backup and a reinstall of the system software.
Will removing the sticker on the drive cover void the warranty?+
Sony says the sticker on the HDD bay cover can be removed and it will not affect the warranty.
How much space does a backup need?+
Sony says you need a FAT32 or exFAT USB drive with at least double the storage space of the backup file, or you can skip application data.
Does restoring a backup erase the console?+
Yes. Sony says restoring erases all data saved on the console, and it cannot be undone even if you cancel the operation.
Do I need to reinstall the system software after a drive swap?+
Yes. Sony says the system software must be reinstalled after the drive is replaced, using an update file of about 1GB on a USB drive.
Is the process the same on the Slim and the Pro?+
The idea is the same but the covers and screws differ. Sony gives separate instructions for the CUH-7000 series (Pro), the CUH-2015 series and the CUH-1000 to CUH-1200 series.