When a PS5 says storage is full, Sony gives four places to put data and only some of them can run games: the built-in SSD, an M.2 SSD in the expansion slot, USB extended storage and, for saved data, PlayStation Plus cloud storage. PS5 games can be stored on USB extended storage but not played from it, so they have to be copied back before you play, while PS4 games can be played straight from it. Deleting is safe because purchases can be downloaded again, and some games let you delete parts of their data with Customize.
Differential
Likely causes of “PlayStation 5 storage is full or games will not install”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
The built-in SSD is simply full of games
What separates it Settings, Storage shows little free space and new downloads fail or ask you to delete something
How to confirm Open Settings, Storage, Console Storage, Games and Apps and sort by size to see which titles take the room
- 2
PS5 games on USB extended storage that need to come back
What separates it A game shows as installed but will not start, and it sits on the USB drive
How to confirm Sony says PS5 games cannot be played from USB extended storage; open the Game Library, Installed tab, highlight it and choose Copy back to console storage
- 3
A USB drive that does not meet Sony's requirements
What separates it The drive will not format or will not appear as extended storage
How to confirm Check it is SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or better, between 250 GB and 8 TB, plugged straight into the console and not through a hub
- 4
An M.2 SSD that is unsupported or not seated
What separates it The slot shows nothing, or the console says the drive does not meet requirements
How to confirm Check it is a PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 NVMe drive, Key M, with a heatsink that fits, and that it is pushed fully into the connector
- 5
Saved data and captures filling space
What separates it Games are few but saved data and video clips are large
How to confirm Look under Saved Data and Screenshots and Video Clips and move or delete what you no longer need
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The free space shown in Settings, Storage and the largest games listed
- Whether you use a USB extended storage drive, an M.2 SSD or neither
- Whether the console is a launch model, a Slim or a Pro, so you know its SSD size
- The drive's make and its USB speed or M.2 type if a drive will not work
Try in this order
0 of 8 completedCheck your free space
ReversibleGo to the home screen, choose Settings, then Storage. The screen shows how much of the console storage your games, media and saved data use. Note the free space so you can tell how much you need to clear.
Delete what you do not need
ReversibleOpen Settings, Storage, Console Storage, Games and Apps, pick the games to remove and choose Delete. Sony says you will not lose access to deleted purchases and can download them again from your library.
Use Customize to trim a game
ReversibleIf a game shows Customize next to its title, you can delete parts of it, such as add-ons you do not use or campaigns you have finished, and still play the rest of the game.
Move finished games to USB extended storage
ReversiblePlug in a SuperSpeed USB drive of at least 250 GB and format it under Settings, Storage, USB Extended Storage, Format as USB Extended Storage. Then use Move Games and Apps from the Game Library. Remember PS5 games have to be copied back before you can play them.
Install a supported M.2 SSD
ReversibleUpdate the console first. Turn it off, unplug everything, remove the cover, then the slot cover, and fit a Gen4x4 M.2 NVMe drive with a heatsink into the connector. On the CFI-1000 launch model the cover slides off the console body; on the CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 group a triangle cover comes off first. Formatting starts when you power on.
Set the installation location
ReversibleUnder Settings, Storage, Installation Location, choose where new PS5 games install. Games on M.2 storage can be played directly; if a game misbehaves there, Sony says to move it to the internal storage.
Upload saved data to cloud storage
ReversibleIf you are a PlayStation Plus member, go to Settings, Saved Data and Game/App Settings, choose Saved Data (PS5) or (PS4) and upload to cloud storage, then delete it from the console to free space.
Safely remove a USB extended drive
ReversibleBefore unplugging the drive while the console is on, choose Settings, Storage, USB Extended Storage, Safely Remove from PS5. If you pull it out mid-write, Sony warns of data loss or corruption.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Internal SSD by model
- 825GB on the launch disc and Digital consoles (about 667GB usable on the launch Digital Edition) and on the Slim Digital Edition; 1TB on the Slim with a disc drive; 2TB on the PS5 Pro. Sony's storage pages apply to all of them.
- Opening the console for an M.2 SSD
- Sony gives one procedure for the CFI-1000 launch group, where the side cover slides off the body, and another for the CFI-2000 and CFI-7000 group, where a triangle cover comes off first.
- Tools and supplies
- A #1 Phillips or cross-head screwdriver, a small flashlight, a soft cloth to rest the console on, and a heatsink that fits the SSD. Sony's height limit for an M.2 SSD with cooling is 11.25 mm.
- Drive information for support
- If you ask Sony or the SSD maker for help, give the drive's model number and the console model number, not a part number.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the console does not recognize a correctly fitted M.2 SSD, remove it and check the drive's requirements before trying again
- !If the console reports storage errors or asks to rebuild its database repeatedly, use Safe Mode's Rebuild Database and contact PlayStation support if it returns
- !If a drive shows corruption or the console froze while formatting, stop and do not power the console off mid-format again
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Where the manufacturer's article stops. 2 SSD installation article. Sony does not endorse specific USB drives or M.2 SSDs and says it cannot guarantee that every drive meeting the specification will work, so this page lists requirements and not brands. Internal SSD sizes by model come from Sony's product listings.
Storage locations and what each can hold.
Drive requirements, formatting and moving games.
M.2 requirements and the installation steps for each model group.
Exact questions
Common questions
Can I play PS5 games from a USB drive?+
No. Sony says PS5 games cannot be played directly from USB extended storage; copy the game back to console or M.2 storage first. PS4 games can be played from it.
How big a USB drive can I use for extended storage?+
Sony's requirements are SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps or later, at least 250 GB and at most 8 TB, connected directly and not through a hub.
Do I lose a game if I delete it?+
No. Sony says you will not lose access to deleted games and can re-download purchases from your game library.
What M.2 SSD does the PS5 accept?+
A PCIe Gen4x4 M.2 NVMe drive, Key M, between 250 GB and 8 TB, in a 2230, 2242, 2260, 2280 or 22110 size with effective cooling. Sony recommends sequential read of 5,500 MB/s or faster and does not support M.2 SATA drives.
Do I need a heatsink on the M.2 SSD?+
Yes. Sony says using an M.2 SSD requires effective heat dissipation such as a heatsink and heat transfer sheet, and not to use one without a heat-dissipation mechanism.
What tools do I need to fit an M.2 SSD?+
A #1 Phillips or cross-head screwdriver, and optionally a small flashlight. Touch a grounded metal object first to discharge static, and do not run the console with the cover off.
How much storage does each PS5 have?+
The launch consoles and the Slim Digital Edition have 825GB, the Slim disc model has 1TB, and the PS5 Pro has 2TB, so a Pro is the least likely to run out.
Can saved data go to a USB drive?+
PS4 saved data can be copied to a USB drive, and PS5 saved data can be uploaded to cloud storage if you subscribe to PlayStation Plus.